• What is “Permanent Resident” Status
• The 3 Requirements for Permanent Residency & Common Pitfalls
• The Relaxed Route: From Spousal Visa / Spouse of a Permanent Resident
• Required Documents
• Points to Know During the Review Period
• Our Strengths & Hands-On Support
• Case-by-Case Explanations
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Permanent Resident” Status

The status of residence “Permanent Resident” is granted to those whose permanent residency has been approved by the Minister of Justice. There are no work restrictions, and the period of stay is unlimited.
As of the end of Reiwa 7 (2025), the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan under “Permanent Resident” status exceeds 940,000, accounting for about 23% of all foreign residents in Japan.

Because the period of stay is unlimited, you don’t need to renew your status itself. However, please note that your residence card does have an expiration date, and renewing the card is a separate procedure. It’s worth keeping in mind that “renewing the status itself” and “renewing the card” are two different things.

The 3 Requirements for Permanent Residency & Commonly Overlooked Pitfalls

The Immigration Services Agency’s website lists three requirements as the review criteria for permanent residency. However, this wording alone makes it difficult to judge what you actually need to prepare. Here, we explain where the practical hurdles lie within each requirement.

If you are the spouse or child of a Japanese national, a Permanent Resident, or a Special Permanent Resident, you are not required to meet the Good Conduct or Independent Livelihood requirements.

For Spouses of Japanese Nationals & Spouses of Permanent Residents: When Requirements Are Relaxed

As a general rule, obtaining permanent residency requires 10 or more years of continuous residence in Japan. However, if you are the spouse or biological child of a Japanese national, a Permanent Resident, or a Special Permanent Resident, a significantly relaxed set of exceptions applies, including to this years-of-residence requirement.

Specifically, the guidelines set out the special exception requirements as: having maintained a genuine marital life for 3 or more years, AND having continuously resided in Japan for 1 or more year. As noted above, meeting the “Good Conduct” and “Independent Livelihood” requirements is also not required in this case.

The Immigration Services Agency is reportedly considering revising the permanent residency guidelines. Under the proposed changes, the special exception requirements (currently 3 years of marriage / 1 year of residence) could be extended to 5 years and 3 years, respectively. Please contact our office for the latest confirmed information on the effective date and details.

One important caution: meeting this requirement does not mean automatic approval. In assessing the National Interest requirement, your household’s fulfillment of public obligations — such as tax payments, social insurance contributions, resident tax, and pension payments — is still checked.

Our representative himself has gone through international marriage and the procedure of changing his spouse’s status of residence to a spousal visa. He can share, based on that firsthand experience, what steps in your ongoing life in Japan actually build toward permanent residency approval.

Required Documents

The required documents vary depending on your current status of residence and individual circumstances. The Immigration Services Agency’s website provides guidance, but simply gathering everything listed there doesn’t guarantee approval.

【Check Required Documents Here】（※External link [Immigration Services Agency]）

  The content of your supporting documents and written explanation (riyūsho) is one of the key factors in the review.
  There’s a lot to check — whether the explanations are consistent across documents, and whether all necessary information is included without gaps.
  If you’re unsure about preparing these on your own, consider consulting an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi).

It’s a misconception to think “I’m in the middle of a permanent residency application, so it’s fine even if my current period of stay expires.” Even while your application is pending, you still need to manage your current status’s expiration separately.

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Case-by-Case: Key Points for Permanent Residency Applications

For permanent residency applications, what’s reviewed and what documents you need to prepare differ depending on your current status of residence and circumstances. Here are the key points to keep in mind for each typical case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my permanent residency application is denied?

Even if denied, reapplying is possible. However, it’s important to accurately understand the reason for the previous denial and address it before reapplying. We’ll first ask about your situation and support you in preparing to reapply.

What happens if I change jobs or get divorced while my application is pending?

If there’s a change that affects the content of your application, a notification may be required. How to handle it depends on your situation, so please consult us promptly if something changes.

How long does it take to get permanent residency approved?

The standard processing time is said to be 4 to 6 months, but in practice it can take over a year. We also help you manage your current status’s expiration during the review period.

I’m not very confident in my Japanese — can I still request your services?

Yes, that’s not a problem. We’ll carefully explain the content and progress of your documents in slow, simple Japanese. We can also discuss arranging an interpreter to join, if needed.

What are the fees, and what does the Approval Guarantee cover?

Details on our fees and Approval Guarantee policy are explained individually during a free consultation. You can check our fee schedule via the link below.

View Our Fee Schedule