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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Steps
Check the latest required documents list on the Immigration Services Agency website and download the application form and Statement of Understanding
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
Obtain a pension payment certificate from your pension office and a health insurance payment certificate from your insurer or ward office
Request an employment certificate, pay slips (last 3 months), and withholding tax slip (last 3 years) from your employer
Prepare tax return copies (last 3 years) and business performance records / contracts
Ask your guarantor (a permanent resident or Japanese national living in Japan) to complete the Letter of Guarantee
Write a Statement of Reasons explaining why you need permanent residence (length of stay, life foundations, contributions to Japanese society, etc.)
Prepare a photo (4cm tall by 3cm wide, no hat, plain background, taken from the front within the six months before you apply). It is not required if the applicant is under one year old on the date the residence card is issued
Bring all documents to the immigration office counter in person to submit (postal submission — confirm with your regional office first)
Wait for the result (often several months to over a year; check the agency's latest monthly processing time data for current estimates)
Once you receive the approval notice, collect your Permanent Resident residence card at the designated counter (a ¥200,000 revenue stamp fee is required after approval)
Important notes
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)
Certificates issued in Japan are generally required to be issued within 3 months of the application date
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
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
The application itself is free of charge, but a fee is required after approval. For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026 the fee is ¥200,000, paid by revenue stamp. Applications accepted by September 30, 2026 are charged the previous fee of ¥10,000 even if the permission is granted on or after October 1. If you meet certain conditions, such as receiving public assistance, the fee is reduced to ¥20,000. If a Specified Residence Card is issued upon permission and the residence card you hold was issued on or after June 14, 2026, an Immigration Services Agency fee of ¥1,900 (paid by revenue stamp) and a J-LIS fee of ¥600 (¥800 if an electronic certificate is issued) are required in addition to this amount. No such fee applies if your residence card was issued by June 13, 2026, or if you already hold a Specified Residence Card
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