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Permanent Residence Application

The permanent residence application changes your current status of residence to 'Permanent Resident'. Required documents vary by visa type and employment status. The review period is often several months to over a year; check the agency's latest published processing times for current estimates.

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Documents needed

✓Permanent Residence Application form (download from Immigration Services Agency website)
✓Ryokai-sho / Statement of Understanding (confirming your obligations as a permanent resident)
✓Photo (4cm high × 3cm wide), 1 print — taken from the front within 6 months, no hat, no background. Not required if you are under 1 year old on the date the residence card is issued (before June 13, 2026 the exemption applied to those under 16)
✓Passport (present original; submit copy)
✓Residence Card (present original; submit copy)
✓Juminhyo / Resident Certificate (all household members, no My Number, issued within 3 months)
✓Letter of guarantee (from a permanent resident or Japanese national living in Japan)
✓National tax payment certificate / Nozei shomei-sho Form 3 — covers all 5 tax categories; certifies no outstanding balance as of the application date (obtain from tax office or e-Tax)
✓Permanent residence self-check sheet — confirm you meet the requirements before applying and submit it together with the other documents
✓Document checklist matching your status of residence (download from the Immigration Services Agency page)
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Steps

1

Check the latest required documents list on the Immigration Services Agency website and download the application form and Statement of Understanding

2

Obtain a Juminhyo and municipal tax certificates (assessment and payment, required years) from your local city/ward office. Also obtain a national tax payment certificate (Form 3) from your tax office or via e-Tax

3

Obtain a pension payment certificate from your pension office and a health insurance payment certificate from your insurer or ward office

4
Company employee

Request an employment certificate, pay slips (last 3 months), and withholding tax slip (last 3 years) from your employer

5
Self-employed

Prepare tax return copies (last 3 years) and business performance records / contracts

6

Ask your guarantor (a permanent resident or Japanese national living in Japan) to complete the Letter of Guarantee

7

Write a Statement of Reasons explaining why you need permanent residence (length of stay, life foundations, contributions to Japanese society, etc.)

8

Prepare a passport-style photo (4cm × 3cm, white background, taken within 3 months) — not required for applicants under 16

9

Bring all documents to the immigration office counter in person to submit (postal submission — confirm with your regional office first)

10

Wait for the result (often several months to over a year; check the agency's latest monthly processing time data for current estimates)

11

Once you receive the approval notice, collect your Permanent Resident residence card at the designated counter (a ¥10,000 revenue stamp fee is required after approval)

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Important notes

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In principle you must hold the longest period of stay available for your status. However, until March 31, 2027, holding a 3-year period of stay is also treated as holding the longest period of stay (Note 1 of the Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission)

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Certificates issued in Japan are generally required to be issued within 3 months of the application date

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You may continue living in Japan under your current status during the review period (tokureikikan). If your visa expires during the review, you will also need to file a separate renewal application

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Even if municipal tax, pension and health insurance premiums are fully paid by the time you apply, failure to pay them by their original deadlines is generally assessed negatively (Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission). Be especially careful if you have a record of late payment

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The application itself is free of charge, but a ¥10,000 revenue stamp fee is required after your application is approved (applicable to applications accepted on or after April 1, 2025)

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When submitting pension or health insurance documents, mask the basic pension number, insurer number and insured person's symbol/number so they cannot be recovered

Official info verified: 2026-09-10 / Source: moj.go.jp ↗
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