How to Apply for Permanent Residence Status in Japan

Permanent Residence Status in Japan

Once you have obtained permanent residence status in Japan (permanent residence visa), you are no longer required to renew your visa status. Unlike work and student visas, permanent residence status does not restrict occupations, and therefore, you have more options in choosing your job. It also gives you easier access to loans at private and public banks.
(Alien Registration, Re-entry Permit System and Deportation System still apply to　permanent residence status holders.)

Applying for Permanent Residence Status in Japan.

〈Applicants〉

• must have lived in Japan for 10 years or more continuously with valid residence status.
(Ones who entered Japan with a student visa must have had a work permit for 5 years or more out of the 10 years.)
• must have residence status for “a spouse or child of a Japanese national” and have lived in Japan for 3 years or more.
• must have residence status for “a spouse or child of a permanent resident of Japan” and have lived in Japan for 3 years or more.
• must have status of “a long term resident of Japan” and have lived in Japan for 5 years or more.

In addition to the above requirements, you must be of good conduct (e.g. no criminal record), have assets or skills to make an independent living, and be in accord with Japan’s national interests. However, these are the extenuating circumstances if the applicant is a spouse or child of a Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan.

• The abstract from the section concerning a foreign national who has become a spouse of a Japanese national

If you are a spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident of Japan or special permanent resident of Japan, you must have lived in Japan for 3 years or more since your marriage.
If you were married to, and have lived with your spouse outside Japan, you must have been married for 3 years or more and have lived in Japan for one year or more. In addition, your marriage must meet the condition that you and your spouse are living under the same roof. Also, you must have no marital strife (resulted in separation) and have been normally married.
A true child or special adopted child of a Japanese national, permanent resident of Japan and special permanent resident of Japan must have lived in Japan continuously for one year or more.

Required Documents

When you are applying for permanent residence status in Japan, you are required to submit the following documents marked ○, according to the “Applicant’s current status of residence”. You may be asked to submit additional documents after your application.

You need to bring your travel document (passport) or current status of residence, and your alien card when you are applying.

Applicant's current status of residence Submitting documents, etc.	Spouse or child of a Japanese national, long term resident or special permanent resident	Recognized Refugee	Others
1.Application for Permanent Residence (each of part 1 and part 2)	○	○	○
2.Written reasons (free format) addressed to the Ministry of Justice	○	○	○
3. Documents showing domestic family relation (husband-wife, parent-child relation) ※Spouse of a Japanese national The Japanese national’s certified copy of the family registry, and the applicant’s marriage certificate or certified copy of the family registry ※Child of a Japanese national The Japanese parent's certified copy of the family registry, and the child's birth certificate or a certificate of Acceptance of Notification of paternity acknowledgement for the child ※Adopted child of a Japanese national The Japanese parent's certified copy of the family registry, and the child’s birth certificate or certified copy of the family registry, etc. ※Former Japanese national A certified copy of the family registry showing that his/her name has been removed from the register ※Spouse or child of a long term resident A certified copy of the family registry, marriage certificate, etc.	○
4.A certificate of alien registration or resident card for the applicant and all his/her family members	○	○	○
5. A document that proves employment for the applicant or person who supports the applicant ※A certificate of employment (issued by the employer) ※A copy of business license/permit（if the business is required license/permit) ※A certified copy of registration, etc. (corporate officer) ※A copy of a trading certificate or income tax return (self-employed)	○	○	○
6. A document showing the income of the applicant or person who supports the applicant ※A tax withholding statement (wage and salary earner) ※A certificate of tax statement (part 1 and 2) (self-employed)	○ for the past one year	○ for the past one year	○ for the past one year
7.A proof of assets for the applicant or person who supports the applicant (real estates, savings)			○
8.A proof of compliance with public dues A certificate of tax payment for property tax, business tax, residential tax, etc.		○ for the past one year	○ for the past one year
9. Medical examination report (one that includes the information concerning below (1) and (2)). =waived if under 16 years of age and 70 years or older= (1)Presence of “Infectious Diseases ? Type 1”, “Infectious Diseases ? Type 2”, “Specified Infectious Diseases”, and “New Infectious Diseases” specified in the Prevention of Infectious Diseases (2)Presence of addiction to drugs such as narcotics and amphetamine, etc.(There is no designated medical institution. You may undergo your examination at any hospital and health center.)		○	○
10. Documents concerning a guarantee ※A letter of guarantee (specified form) ※A proof of employment for the guarantor (see also above 5) ※A proof of income for the guarantor (see also above 6) ※A resident card or certificate of alien registration for the guarantor.	○	○
11.A decoration given from Japan or local government, a copy of certificate of merit if given		○	○
12.A paper showing overseas and Japanside family connections (specified form)	○	○	○
13.An address report (specified form)	○	○	○

Where to File the Application

Regional Immigration Bureau/Office in charge of the applicant’s intended address

After submitting the required documents to the office

・・you must return to the immigration office upon receiving a letter from the office.

Required documents

• Passport
• Revenue stamps (fee of 8,000 yen)
• Notice (letter you have received)

This will complete the procedure.

※ Consult the immigration office if you are unable to go back to the office by the specified date. You may have to submit a written explanation and circumstance.

How to Obtain Japanese Citizenship

• Obtaining Japanese citizenship is called “naturalization” and is different from permanent residence status.

In principal, to obtain Japanese citizenship, you must: be of good conduct and be living in Japan at the moment. Also, you must have had a Japanese address for at least 5 years (3 years for a spouse of a Japanese national), and have been living at a Japanese address continuously for one year or more.
In addition, you must be able to maintain adequate living by the assets and skills of yourself or your spouse/family member living with you.
You must go to your local Legal Affairs Bureau for application, and go through an interview with an official where only qualified applicants who satisfy the requirements are given application forms and guides, and an explanation on supporting documents. It is important to note that naturalization is not something everybody can obtain easily.

Procedure for Applying for Naturalization

Preliminary consultation (local Legal Affairs Bureau in charge of your address)
↓ Preparing and collecting of application forms and required documents
↓ Application (local Legal Affairs Bureau in charge of your address)
↓ Acceptance of application
↓ Fact-checking by Legal Affairs Bureau (verifying the submitted documents)
↓ Interview (local Legal Affairs Bureau in charge of your address)
↓ Notice to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice
↓ 　　　 Permission from the Justice Minister	↓ No permission from the Justice Minister
↓ Announcement through the Official Gazette
↓ Effective as of the announcement day
↓ Issuance of identification documents
↓ Reporting of naturalization (to a municipal office in your current or intended registered address)

You must report within one month of the issuance of your identification and your new identification must be accompanied with the report.

〈Note〉

※If the applicant is under 15 years of age, application must be done by his/her legal representative such as a parent or guardian.

※An appointment may be required at some Legal Affairs Bureaus for a preliminary consultation and application; call ahead of time to see if you need an appointment.

※Application must be done on a household basis (family members living with you).

※It will take nearly a year for you to find out a result after submitting your application. If your visa status will expire by then, you must get permission for extension of period of stay, and then apply for naturalization.

※If the information in your application such as your address and workplace changes after the application, you must submit a change notice.

※You must return your alien card within 14 days of becoming a non alien.

Required Documents for Naturalization

1. Naturalization Permission Application Form (in duplicate, with 2 photos 5cmx5cm)
2. An outline of your family and relatives
3. Reasons why you want to become naturalized (in Japanese and your handwriting)
4. A personal history
5. A written oath
6. An outline of your livelihood
7. An outline of business (if you, your spouse, or your family member in your household is a business owner)
8. Rough maps of the vicinity of your address and workplace
9. A diploma from your final educational institute
10. School certificates and transcripts
11. A paper showing your citizenship (a proof of citizenship, a certified copy of family register, birth certificate)
12. Domestic family documents (marriage certificate, Japanese spouse’s certified copy of family register/residence card, a certificate of registered matter of birth registration, etc.)
13. An alien card
14. A certificate of employment
15. Certificates of tax payment
16. A bank statement of balance
17. A statement of portfolio balance (stock or bond holder)
18. A certified copy of real estate registration
19. A copy of papers showing your skills and qualifications (driver’s license, medical license, chef license, etc.)
20. A driving record (if you have a driver’s license)
21. A copy of income tax return record (if you have filed)
22. A certified copy of company registration (if you are a business owner)
23. A financial statement (if you are a business owner)
24. A copy of business license/permit (if the business is required license/permit to operate, such as construction, food and entertainment, etc.)
25. Medical report (if you have a medical problem, or are being hospitalized)
26. A certificate of merit/A certificate of appreciation (if you have one)
27. Snapshots

※ Required documents differ for each individual. Contact your Regional Immigration Bureau or Information Center listed below for further information. End of the form

Where to File the Application

Regional Immigration Bureau/Office in charge of the applicant’s intended address

Contact Information on Immigration Procedure for Entry and Stay Related Application

Sapporo Regional Immigration Bureau

Odori-nishi 12 Chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido Pref. 060-0042
TEL 011-261-7502 (the main telephone number)

Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau

1-3-20 Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Pref. 983-0842
TEL 022-256-6076 (the main telephone number)

Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau

5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Pref. 108-8255
TEL 03-5796-7111 (the main telephone number)

Yokohama District Immigration Office

37-9 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Pref. 231-0023
TEL 045-661-5110 (the main telephone number)

Narita Airport District Immigration Office

P.O Box 2206, Narita Airport Second Post Office, 1-1 Furugome, Narita City, Chiba Pref.
282-0004 TEL 0476-34-2222 (the main telephone number)

Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau

(Entry and Stay related Inspections) Nagoya Center Bldg. 3F, 2-2-13, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Pref. 460-8582
TEL 052-223-7514(Employment Inspection Department)
TEL 052-223-7586(Student and Trainee Inspection Department)
TEL 052-223-7585(Permanent Residence Inspection Department)

(Others) Nagoya homu godo chosa, 4-3-1 sannnomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Pref. 460-0001 TEL 052-955-0927 (General Administration Department)

Chubu Airport District Immigration Office

CIQ Bldg., 3F, 1-1 Centrair, Tokoname City, Aichi Pref. 479-0881 TEL 0569-38-7410

Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau

2-1-17 Tani-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Pref. 540-0012 TEL 06-6941-0771 (the main phone number)

Kansai Airport District Immigration Office

Senshu-kuko Naka 1 banchi, Tajiri-cho, Sennnan-gun, Osaka Pref. 549-0011 TEL 0724-55-1453 (the main telephone number)

Kobe District Immigration Office

29 Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Pref. 650-0024
TEL 078-391-6377 (the main telephone number)

Hiroshima Regional Immigration Bureau

6-30 Kamihacchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Pref. 730-0012
TEL 082-221-4411 (the main telephone number)

Takamatsu Regional Immigration Bureau

Marunouchi, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Pref. 760-0033
TEL 087-822-5852 (the main telephone number)

Fukuoka Regional Immigration Bureau

Fukuoka Airport Terminal 3 (Domestic Flights), 778-1 Shimousui, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Pref. 812-0003

TEL 092-623-2400 (the main telephone number)

Naha District Immigration Office 1-15-15 Hikawa, Naha City, Okinawa Pref. 900-0022

TEL 098-832-4185 (the main telephone number)

Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center1766 Kuno-cho, Ushiku City, Ibaraki Pref. 300-1288

TEL 029-875-1291 (the main telephone number)

Nishi-Nihon Immigration Center1-11-1 Koriyama, Ibaraki City, Osaka Pref. 567-8550

TEL 072-641-8152 (the main telephone number)

Omura Immigration Center644-3 Kogashima-cho, Omura City, Nagasaki Pref. 856-0817

TEL 0957-52-2121 (the main telephone number)

Immigration Bureau of Japan Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Pref. 100-8977

TEL 03-3580-4111 (the main telephone number)

To respond to entry and stay related inquiries from foreign nationals and persons involved, the Immigration Bureau has set up “Foreign Residents Information Center” at Regional Immigration Bureaus and District Offices of Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. These centers have services in other languages (English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, etc.).
Foreign Residents Information Centers

Sendai

1-3-20 Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Pref. 983-0842
TEL 022-298-9014

Tokyo

5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Pref. 108-8255
TEL 03-5796-7112

Yokohama

37-9 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Pref. 231-0023
TEL 045-651-2851 ex.2

Nagoya

Nagoya Center Bldg. 3F, 2-2-13, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Pref. 460-0001
TEL: 052-223-7336 ex.7

Osaka

2-1-17 Tani-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Pref. 540-0012
TEL 06-6941-3701 ex.2

Kobe

29 Kaigan-dori, Chu-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Pref. 650-0024
TEL 078-326-5141

Hiroshima

6-30 Kamihacchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Pref. 730-0012
TEL 082-502-6060

Fukuoka

Fukuoka Airport Terminal 3 (Domestic Flights), 778-1 Shimousui, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Pref. 812-0003
TEL 092-626-5100