PR visa application requirements
The requirements that must be met to apply for a permanent resident visa are as follows;
Good conduct and behavior (e.g., criminal record, traffic violations, payment of taxes)
Sufficient assets or ability to live independently (stable job, sufficient savings...)
Satisfying all requirements to maintain current status (maintaining an appropriate job for a work visa, maintaining a stable marriage for a spouse visa, etc.)
10 consecutive years of residency, including 5 years of residency on a work visa or 5 years of residency on a family member visa (spouse of Japanese national, permanent resident, etc.)
Longest current period of stay (3 years in most cases)
Must have paid taxes and contributions to Japan's public social security system during the required period and have always paid on time
Have submitted all required notifications to the Immigration Bureau (change of employer, change of company address, etc.)
Have a guarantor (Japanese citizen or permanent resident visa holder) to support the application
Have physically stayed in Japan for a total of 6 months or more during the 12 months prior to and during the application
The 10-year continuous residence requirement is shortened in the following cases
Spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents who have been married for at least 3 years and have resided in Japan continuously for at least 1 year
Children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents who have continuously resided in Japan for at least 1 year
Those who have resided in Japan for at least 5 years and have a permanent resident or refugee status.
Applicants who have earned 70 points in this point calculation table at all times during the period of stay in Japan at the time of application and for the last 3 years prior to the application.
Applicants who have scored 80 points on the same chart during the last one-year period of stay leading up to the application.
Applicants who are recognized to have made significant contributions to Japan in the fields of diplomacy, society, economy, culture, etc. and have resided in Japan for at least 5 consecutive years.
A certificate of residence tax for the required number of years ("Certificate of Tax and Tax Payment" obtained from the city/ward office) must be submitted.
This means that if your income is low (due to unemployment, etc.) for any year of the required period, your application will likely be rejected.
In addition, the Immigration Bureau has recently tended to require proof that you are covered by the Japanese health insurance system.
You must have been physically present in Japan for at least 12 months prior to applying for a permanent residence visa and for a total of 6 months during the application process.
Processing a permanent residence application can take a very long time (typically 4-8 months), and you will need to renew your current visa if it expires before your permanent residence application is approved.
