Japan Naturalization vs. Permanent Residency — 2025 Updated Comparison Guide
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Many long-term residents in Japan wonder whether they should apply for permanent residency or go a step further to obtain Japanese nationality through naturalization.
While both options offer stability for living in Japan, their requirements, screening standards, and the rights and obligations obtained are significantly different.
In this article, ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer’s Office explains the latest information as of 2025 to clearly compare Japan naturalization and permanent residency. You’ll learn the eligibility criteria, advantages, and disadvantages to help you decide which path best suits your situation.
- Naturalization vs. Permanent Residency — Two Paths for Long-Term Stay in Japan
- Fundamental Difference: Change of Nationality or Not
- Differences in Eligibility and Screening Standards
- Comparison of Benefits and Cautions (Disadvantages)
- Which Should You Choose? Key Decision Points
- Summary: Which Is Better for You?
- Recommended Articles on Permanent Residency Applications
1. Difference Between Naturalization and Permanent Residency ― Two Main Paths for Long-Term Stay in Japan
For foreigners who wish to live in Japan long-term, there are two main legal options: obtaining Permanent Residency (status of residence “Permanent Resident”) or applying for Naturalization (acquiring Japanese nationality).
Although both provide long-term stability, they differ greatly in legal status, eligibility requirements, and the rights and obligations granted.
Permanent residents can stay in Japan indefinitely while keeping their foreign nationality and have no work restrictions. However, they do not have political rights such as voting.
In contrast, naturalized citizens obtain Japanese nationality, which grants voting rights and eligibility for public office, but generally requires renouncing their original nationality.
The two systems also differ in conditions such as required years of residence, tax records, Japanese language ability, and document preparation. The better choice depends on your long-term life plan, career goals, and how closely you wish to maintain ties with your home country.
Below, we compare the key differences, requirements, advantages, and considerations of both naturalization and permanent residency in Japan.
Our immigration specialists at ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer’s Office will advise you on the best option for your situation.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email +81-3-6905-6371
2. Fundamental Difference Between Naturalization and Permanent Residency: Change of Nationality
The key point is not which option is “better,” but which is more suitable for your future plans. For those who frequently travel between Japan and their home country, permanent residency is often more convenient as it allows you to retain your original nationality. On the other hand, if you aim to build a stable life and career in Japan and wish to gain rights such as voting or working in public service, naturalization may be the better option.
It is also important to note that permanent residency is merely a status of residence, meaning there is a potential risk of cancellation under certain conditions (such as tax or social insurance issues, or long-term absence from Japan). Naturalization, however, rarely gets revoked, offering a higher degree of legal stability.
The procedures also differ: permanent residency focuses on whether your current life in Japan is stable, and is usually processed relatively quickly. Naturalization, on the other hand, evaluates whether you are suitable to become a member of Japanese society, requiring more documents and often a longer screening period.
Therefore, it is essential to consider whether you wish to change your nationality and which country you plan to base your future life in. Consulting an expert will help you make the best decision for your personal and professional goals.
| Category | Permanent Residency | Naturalization |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Retain foreign nationality | Acquire Japanese nationality (must generally renounce former nationality) |
| Legal Status | Status of Residence: “Permanent Resident” | Registered as a Japanese national in the family registry |
| Authority | Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Legal Affairs Bureau (Nationality Division) |
| Family Registry | Not created | New family registry created upon naturalization |
| Residency & Renewal | No period limit; residence card renewal not required (except for re-entry permit issues) | No longer under residence status; no residence card |
| Cancellation Risk | Possible cancellation for long-term absence or serious crimes | Rarely revoked (except in cases of false application) |
| Voting & Public Office | Not available | Available (voting rights, eligibility for public service) |
| Passport | Use home country’s passport | Eligible for Japanese passport |
| Re-entry to Japan | Re-entry permit required; loss of status if expired | Free entry and exit as a Japanese citizen (visa rules apply for home country) |
In summary, naturalization means changing nationality to become a Japanese citizen, while permanent residency allows you to live in Japan indefinitely while keeping your foreign nationality.
3. Differences in Eligibility Requirements and Screening Standards for Naturalization and Permanent Residency
For both naturalization and permanent residency in Japan, authorities place strong emphasis on factors such as good conduct, tax payments, pension and insurance contribution records, financial stability, and residence history. However, the key elements and the level required for Japan naturalization and permanent residency are not exactly the same.
1. Common Requirements and Screening Items
② Stable means of livelihood: having sufficient and stable income or assets, and not relying on public assistance (such as welfare benefits).
③ Residence history and stability of status: continuously residing in Japan for a certain period, and not having unstable changes of status of residence or gaps in legal stay in the recent past.
2. Requirements Specific to Permanent Residency Applications
However, there are shortened requirements for certain categories, such as highly skilled professionals or spouses of Japanese nationals.
② Tax and social insurance payment records: in some cases, you may be asked to submit documents proving proper payment for several recent years (for example, the past three years).
③ Stable income: the level and stability of annual income, including the situation of dependents, are examined strictly for Japan permanent residency applications.
3. Requirements Specific to Naturalization Applications
However, for foreign spouses of Japanese nationals, special rules may apply, such as “married for 3 years or more and living in Japan for at least 1 year.”
② Japanese language ability: not only daily conversation but also reading and writing skills may be required, as seen in the preparation of the statement of reasons for naturalization and other documents.
③ Requirement to renounce former nationality: as Japan generally does not allow dual nationality, applicants for Japanese naturalization must be in a position where they can renounce their original nationality.
④ Family-related documents: many documents are often required, such as birth certificates, family relationship certificates, family registers, and their translations.
In general, applications for naturalization in Japan require more documentation, and the applicant’s personal conduct and actual living situation tend to be examined in greater detail than for permanent residency.
Our specialists will advise you on the best choice between naturalization and permanent residency in Japan.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email 03-6905-6371
4. Comparison of Advantages and Points to Note (Disadvantages) for Naturalization and Permanent Residency
1. Advantages of Permanent Residency
・No work restrictions, and you are generally free in your activities such as study or starting a business (you can engage in most kinds of work).
・You can keep your original nationality and maintain strong ties with your home country.
2. Disadvantages and Points to Note for Permanent Residency
・There is a possibility that permanent residency may be revoked due to long-term absence from Japan (beyond the re-entry permit period) or serious criminal offenses.
・You still remain under the residence status system, including management of the residence card, so the legal framework and certain restrictions related to immigration control do not completely disappear.
In short, permanent residency simply removes the need to renew your visa, while your nationality remains the same.
Even as a permanent resident, you must continue to handle procedures such as re-entry permits and residence card renewals. Forgetting these procedures may lead to loss or cancellation of your status of residence.
Permanent residency is often recommended for those who wish to keep the option of living in their home country in the future.
3. Advantages of Naturalization
・You are no longer subject to the status of residence system, so there is no need to renew visas or deal with immigration procedures.
・As a Japanese national, your legal status becomes highly stable, and the risk of deportation or forced removal is essentially eliminated.
・You can obtain a Japanese passport, which greatly improves convenience for international travel (visa exemption is available for many countries).
4. Disadvantages and Points to Note for Naturalization
・In many cases, it is extremely difficult to regain your former nationality once you have naturalized in Japan.
・Naturalization screening is detailed and strict, requiring a heavy burden of documents and preparation for interviews, and the review period tends to be long.
・After naturalization, you may need a visa to visit or return to your former home country, as you will then be treated as a foreign national there.
5. Which Should You Choose — Naturalization or Permanent Residency?
There is no single correct answer, as everyone’s circumstances are different. However, the following points may help you decide between Japan naturalization and permanent residency.
6. Summary: Which Is Better — Naturalization or Permanent Residency?
Both naturalization and permanent residency have their own advantages and disadvantages, and which is better depends on your individual situation.
If you obtain Japan permanent residency, your children or grandchildren who live in Japan will generally be able to obtain a preferential status of residence, such as “Permanent Resident” or “Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident.”
On the other hand, if you apply for naturalization, your children and grandchildren will usually acquire Japanese nationality as well.
Therefore, both naturalization and permanent residency can have significant effects not only on you but also on your family members. It’s important to discuss your long-term plans with your family before applying.
Even after obtaining permanent residency, you will still be considered a foreign national, so you must apply for a re-entry permit when leaving Japan and renew your residence card periodically.
In contrast, once you naturalize and become a Japanese citizen, you will use a Japanese passport when entering or leaving Japan. However, you may need a visa to visit your home country, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
If you are unsure which path to take, consider how often you expect to return to your home country in the future — this can be a good starting point for your decision.
Our experts will help you choose the best option based on your situation.
English and Chinese support available.
Contact us by email 03-6905-6371
7. Popular Pages Related to Permanent Residency Applications
Japan Permanent Residency Application Guide
A comprehensive overview of permanent residency applications in Japan: key requirements (income, years of stay, taxes / pension compliance), typical patterns by status of residence, and how to respond to refusals.
Permanent Residency Guide from a Work Visa
An up-to-date guide for those who aim to obtain permanent residency in Japan from a work visa. Includes a self-check tool for work-visa holders on PR requirements.
Obtaining a PR Visa via Highly Skilled Professional Points
A service for those who wish to obtain a Highly Skilled Professional visa or permanent residency in Japan using the Highly Skilled Professional points system.
Permanent Residency Guide for Spouses of Japanese Nationals
For applicants moving from a spouse visa to permanent residency, this guide explains requirements, documents, and common refusal cases, with a PR self-check tool for spouse visa holders.
Permanent Residency Requirements Self-Check Tool
A 30-second self-diagnosis tool to check whether you meet Japan’s permanent residency requirements: Highly Skilled 70/80 points, work visa, spouse visa, and Long-Term Resident.
Reapplication Guide After Permanent Residency Refusal
What to do if your PR application is refused and how to prepare for reapplication.
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ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office
Representative Administrative Scrivener
Makoto Sano
1998 Graduated from Aoyamagakuin University
2001 Registered as an administrative scrivener
He has Over 20 years of experience as an international administrative scrivener, specializing in foreign employment consulting and residence procedures for foreign residents in Japan.
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