Permanent Residence Review to Become Stricter; Financial Requirements Tightened in Japan

Current rules

Under the proposed revised guideline, the independent-livelihood requirement would expressly require consideration of whether the applicant's household income continuously reaches a level above the average income of Japanese households corresponding to the applicant's household size. Household income generally includes the incomes of people sharing the same household and finances, while certain income from family members holding non-work residence statuses would not be included. Dependants supported by the applicant, including relatives living overseas, can increase the household-size calculation. For households of five or more people, an additional amount reflecting increased living costs would be added to the relevant income level. The proposed pension assessment would consider the applicant's age, previous employment, pension-insurance history, average income and projected pension entitlement. The projected amount would be compared with the pension that would be expected after 30 years of employment at the relevant income level while participating in employees' pension insurance. If the projected pension is insufficient, qualifying financial assets may compensate for the shortfall. The amount of assets considered sufficient would vary according to the applicant's age, with younger applicants potentially being assessed against a lower asset requirement because they have more time to build retirement resources. The proposal also adds Japanese-language ability and knowledge of Japanese systems and rules to the national-interest assessment. Applicants would generally be assessed against Japanese ability equivalent to B1, although the proposal provides exceptions for certain highly skilled applicants, their families, people with substantial Japanese schooling and some children of permanent residents. Applicants may also receive a negative assessment where they have insufficient understanding of Japanese systems or rules. The proposal would additionally consider whether school-age children are attending Japanese primary or lower-secondary education. Previous and current compliance with immigration-related obligations, taxation, public health insurance and pension payments would remain relevant, with past non-compliance capable of negatively affecting an application. The proposed changes also alter certain residence-period exceptions. For spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents, the required genuine marriage period would increase from three to five years and the continuous residence period from one to three years. Other existing exceptions, including those for long-term residents, recognised refugees and highly skilled professionals, would remain subject to their respective conditions. Historical Comparison Japan's statutory PR requirements themselves continue to centre on good conduct, independent livelihood and Japan's national interest. The proposed changes mainly expand and formalise how these existing requirements are assessed rather than replacing them with a completely new statutory PR system. The Immigration Services Agency describes the guideline as setting out the factors considered when exercising the Minister of Justice's discretion. The proposed framework nevertheless represents a material tightening of the practical assessment. In particular, the previous general livelihood assessment would be supplemented by an explicit household-income benchmark, a projected-pension assessment, and additional integration-related considerations. The residence exception for spouses would also become longer.

Overview

The Immigration Services Agency published revised guidance adding tax and social insurance compliance review to permanent residence assessment and raising the income level required to support dependants.

What changed in the latest version

These changes mean that if you are applying for permanent residence in Japan, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) will now assess not only your financial stability but also your history of paying taxes and social insurance. This could make the application process more rigorous, particularly if you have not consistently met your tax and social insurance obligations. Additionally, if you plan to support dependants, you will need to demonstrate a higher income than before, which might affect your eligibility or require you to adjust your financial planning.

Explained simply

Imagine applying for a new, important status in Japan, like becoming a permanent resident. It's a bit like getting a driver's license—you need to show you can handle the responsibility. Previously, the process mainly looked at your overall stability. Now, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) is looking even closer, like a detailed checklist. They will specifically check if you've paid your taxes and social insurance consistently, similar to checking if you've always followed traffic laws. Also, if you want to bring family members, you now need to prove you earn more money to support them, just like needing a bigger car if you have more passengers. Essentially, the rules for proving you're a responsible and financially stable resident have become stricter in these two areas.

Version history

1. v1Effective 1 Oct 2026PublishedHigh impact
   Permanent Residence Review to Become Stricter; Financial Requirements Tightened in Japan

   The Immigration Services Agency published revised guidance adding tax and social insurance compliance review to permanent residence assessment and raising the income level required to support dependants.