"Permanent Resident Visa"
In principle, the foreign resident who has stayed in Japan for more than 5 or 10 years consecutively, (although there are some exceptional cases) and who has fulfilled the legal requirements, he/she can apply for permanent residence. The guidelines and the special cases exempt from 10-year residence are as follows.
| Legal requirements |
|---|
| (1) The person is of good conduct. The person observes Japanese laws and his/her daily living as a resident does not invite any social criticism. (2) The person has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living. The person does not financially depend on someone in the society in his daily life, and his/her assets or ability, etc. are assumed to continue to provide him/her with a stable base of livelihood into the future. (3) The person's permanent residence is regarded to be in accord with the interests of Japan. a) In principle, the person has stayed in Japan for more than 10 years consecutively. It is also required that during his/her stay in Japan the person has had work permit or the status of residence for more than 5 years consecutively. b) The person has been never sentenced to a fine or imprisonment. The person fulfills public duties such as tax payment. c) The maximum period of stay allowed for the person with his/her current status of residence is to be fully utilized. d) There is no possibility that the person could do harm from the viewpoint of protection of public health. ※ The requirements (1) and (2) above do not apply to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents, and requirement (2) does not apply for those who have been recognized as refugees |
| Special cases exempt from 10-year residence |
| （(1) The person is a spouse of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has been in a real marital relationship for more than 3 years consecutively and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively. Or, the person is a true child of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively. (2) The person has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years consecutively with the status of long term resident. (3) The person has been recognized as a refugee, and has stayed in Japan for more than5 years consecutively after recognition. (4) The person has been recognized to have made a contribution to Japan in diplomatic, social, economic, cultural or other fields, and has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years. (5) The person has continuously stayed in Japan for 3 years or more in cases where such person engaged in the activities coming under any of item (xxxvi) or item (xxxvii) of the public notice (Public Notice No. 131 of 1990) specifying the activities listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table I(5) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the same Act at a public or private organization located within the area of the plan specified in the regional revitalization plan approved under Article 5, paragraph (16) of the Regional Revitalization Act (Act No. 24 of 2005), and these activities are deemed to have made a contribution to Japan. (6) The person has a total score of 70 points or more based on the points calculation for“Highly-Skilled Professionals", and comes under one of the following. a. The person who has continuously stayed in Japan as a “Highly-Skilled foreign Professional” for 3 years or more. b. The person who has continuously stayed in Japan for 3 years or more, and who is deemed to have a total of 70 points or more when calculating with reference to the situation at 3 years before the date of the application for permission for permanent residence. (7) The person has a total score of 80 points or more based on the points calculation criteria prescribed in the “Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice”, and comes under one of the following. a. The person who has continuously stayed in Japan as a “Highly-Skilled foreign Professional” for 1 year or more. b. The person who has continuously stayed in Japan for 1 year or more, and who is deemed to have a total of 80 points or more when calculating with reference to the situation at 1 year before the date of the application for permission for permanent residence. |