Japan Permanent Residency Checker
Check the requirements for permanent residency in Japan against the Immigration Services Agency "Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission" (revised 24 Feb 2026). Choose your category to see the required years of residence, how many years remain, and the common requirements and documents.
Permanent residency checker
Permanent residency requirements
Based on the "Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission" (revised 24 Feb 2026) (last checked: 2026-06-12).
The three legal requirements
- Good conduct: law-abiding life with no socially blameworthy behaviour.
- Independent livelihood: assets or skills to live stably without becoming a public burden.
- In the interest of Japan: meeting the residence-years, tax, pension and insurance requirements.
Required years by category
| Category | Required years |
|---|---|
| General (work or residence status) | 10+ years of continuous residence, of which 5+ years on a work status (excluding Technical Intern Training and SSW (i)) or a residence status. |
| Spouse of a Japanese national / permanent resident / special permanent resident | 3+ years of genuine married life and 1+ year of continuous residence in Japan. |
| Child of a Japanese national / permanent resident (biological or special-adopted) | 1+ year of continuous residence. |
| Long-Term Resident (Teijusha) | 5+ years of continuous residence on the Long-Term Resident status. |
| Recognised refugee or complementary-protection beneficiary | 5+ years of continuous residence after recognition. |
| Highly Skilled Professional (70+ points) | Maintained 70+ points from 3 years before applying. |
| Highly Skilled Professional (80+ points) | Maintained 80+ points from 1 year before applying. |
| Contribution to Japan (diplomatic, social, economic, cultural, etc.) | Recognised contribution to Japan and 5+ years of continuous residence. |
| Person covered by a certified Regional Revitalisation Plan | Engaged in work under a certified Regional Revitalisation Plan and 3+ years of continuous residence. |
Normally your period of stay must be the longest (usually 5 years), but until 31 March 2027 a 3-year period of stay is also treated as the longest.
Common requirements
- Taxes properly paid (resident-tax certificates for the last 5 years).
- Public pension and health-insurance premiums properly paid (proof for the last 2 years).
- Immigration notification obligations fulfilled.
- Current period of stay is the longest (usually 5 years; 3 years also accepted until end of March 2027).
- You have a guarantor.
2024 reform: beware of PR "revocation"
Under the amended Immigration Act, permanent residence may be revoked — and changed to long-term resident status — if you wilfully fail to pay taxes or social-insurance premiums, or are punished for certain intentional crimes. People who cannot pay due to unemployment or illness are excluded. Keeping up with taxes, pension and insurance after approval matters.
FAQ
How many years of residence do I need for permanent residency in Japan?
In general, 10+ continuous years (including 5+ years on a work or residence status). The spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident needs 3+ years of genuine marriage plus 1+ year of residence; long-term residents need 5 years; Highly Skilled Professionals can reduce this to 3 years (70 points) or 1 year (80 points).
Can permanent residency be revoked later?
Following the 2024 immigration reform, permanent residence may be revoked, or changed to long-term resident status, if you wilfully fail to pay taxes or social-insurance premiums, or are punished for certain intentional crimes. People who cannot pay due to unemployment or illness are excluded. See the Immigration Services Agency's Q&A for details.
Do I need to pay pension and health insurance?
Yes. For a PR application you must have properly paid public pension and public health-insurance premiums for the last 2 years and submit proof. Proper payment of taxes is also required.
How much income do I need for permanent residency?
There is no fixed legal figure. As a screening guide, around ¥3 million/year for a single applicant and about +¥700,000 per dependent is often used, but the stability of the whole household is what matters.
Does being a Highly Skilled Professional speed up PR?
Yes. With 70+ HSP points you can apply after 3 years of residence, and with 80+ points after just 1 year. You can check your score with the HSP Points Calculator on this site.
Can I apply if my period of stay is only 3 years?
Normally your period of stay must be the longest (usually 5 years), but as a transitional measure a 3-year period of stay is also treated as the longest until 31 March 2027.
Related tools
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency: Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission (revised 24 Feb 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency: Permanent residence application (procedures & documents)
- Immigration Services Agency: Q&A on tightening of the PR system
Last updated: 2026-06-12 （永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和8年2月24日改訂））