Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission to Be Revised
AKIRA YAMAMOTO.AKIRAThe Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission in Japan are set to be revised.
The main proposed changes are as follows:
1. Requirement for Financial Independence
Applicants will be required to have financial circumstances that are currently, and are expected to remain in the future, at a level equal to or higher than that of Japanese nationals.
More specifically, the following factors will be considered:
- Whether the applicant’s income has consistently reached a level exceeding the average income of a Japanese household of the same household size; and
- Whether the applicant’s estimated future pension benefits are at a level equivalent to those of a person who had been enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Insurance (Kosei Nenkin) system for 30 years while earning an annual income at the level described above.
2. Japanese Language Proficiency
Until now, Japanese language proficiency has not been a requirement for permanent residence.
Under the revised guidelines, however, applicants will be required to have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B1 level or higher.
3. Revision of the Special Requirements for Spouses of Japanese Nationals and Permanent Residents
Currently, spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents may apply for permanent residence if they have been married for at least three years and have continuously resided in Japan for at least one year.
Under the revised guidelines, these periods will be extended to at least five years of marriage and at least three years of continuous residence in Japan.
The proposed revisions are currently open for public comment and have not yet been finalized.
If implemented as currently proposed, the new income-related requirements are expected to take effect in October 2026, while the other revised requirements are expected to take effect in April 2027.
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