The Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency of Japan publish the Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence, an official document that explains in accessible terms how applications for permanent residence are reviewed. Commonly referred to as the “Immigration Services Agency 50 Q&A,” it is an important reference for anyone seeking permanent resident status in Japan. Below is a clear summary of the latest version, revised on February 24, 2026 (Reiwa 8).
What you will learn in this article
- What the permanent residence guidelines (50 Q&A) are
- The three basic requirements for permanent residence
- Exceptions that shorten the required length of stay
- A comparison table of requirements and practical review points
- How to apply for permanent residence (where to file and main documents)
View the official guidelines on the Ministry of Justice website
1. What are the permanent residence guidelines (Immigration Services Agency 50 Q&A)?
The Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence explain, in a question-and-answer format, the requirements for permission for permanent residence under Article 22 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. They are intended to help applicants and their families understand how cases are assessed, using 50 pairs of questions and answers.
The guidelines were updated on February 24, 2026 (Reiwa 8). If you are considering applying for permanent residence, we strongly recommend that you always check the latest official text.
2. The three basic requirements for permanent residence
Permission for permanent residence requires that you satisfy all three of the following requirements.
(1) Good conduct
You must observe the law and lead a daily life that is not socially criticized as a resident. In practice, this means, among other things, that none of the following applies:
- You have been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work, or a fine, for violation of Japanese laws or regulations
- You are currently subject to ongoing protective measures under the Juvenile Act
- There are special circumstances, such as repeated illegal or seriously antisocial conduct, that make it impossible to recognize you as a person of good conduct
(2) Sufficient assets or skills to earn an independent livelihood
In ordinary life you must not become a public burden, and stable living must be expected now and in the future. Assessment is generally made on a household basis. A common benchmark cited in administrative practice is annual income of at least about JPY 3 million; if you have dependents, a higher level of income may be expected.
※This requirement does not apply if you are the spouse or child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident.
(3) That permission is in the national interest of Japan (national-interest requirement)
You must meet all of the following four criteria:
- Length of stay: In principle, you have stayed continuously in Japan for 10 years or more, including at least 5 years in a status of residence that permits work or residence (as defined in the guidelines)
- Performance of public duties: You have not been sentenced to a fine or imprisonment; you properly pay taxes, public pension contributions, and public health insurance premiums
- Maximum period of stay: You are staying with the maximum period of stay granted for your current status of residence (for the time being, a period of stay of three years may still be treated as satisfying this criterion under transitional rules)
- Public health: You are not a patient with a Class I infectious disease or similar condition as defined under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases
[Notice] Partial revision to the Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence (published February 24, 2026, Reiwa 8)
Effective April 1, 2027 (Reiwa 9), the treatment described in the Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence at the link below will change: the previous practice under Note (1), which treated a period of stay of “three years” as equivalent to the “maximum period of stay,” will end. As stated in the body of the guidelines, you will be required to be staying with the maximum period of stay for your category of status of residence.
However, for applications for permission for permanent residence filed by persons who hold a period of stay of “three years” as of March 31, 2027 (Reiwa 9), if a decision is made within that period of stay, the first decision only will be handled as satisfying section 1(3)(c) of the guidelines (“staying with the maximum period of stay”).
3. Comparison table: requirements for permanent residence
| Requirement | Summary | Exceptions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Good conduct | Compliance with laws; a lifestyle that is not socially blameworthy | Waived for spouses and children of Japanese nationals, etc. |
| Independent livelihood | No reliance on public assistance; stable living (benchmark: annual income of about JPY 3 million or more) | Waived for spouses and children of Japanese nationals, etc. |
| National interest | 10 years or more of stay, performance of public duties, maximum period of stay, public health | Shorter periods of stay may apply in certain cases |
4. Exceptions that shorten the required length of stay
In principle, at least 10 years of continuous stay in Japan is required, but the required length of stay is shortened in the following situations.
| Category | Required length of stay |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident | A genuine marital relationship of 3 years or more, plus at least 1 year of continuous stay thereafter |
| Long-term resident | 5 years or more of stay |
| Person recognized as a refugee | 5 years or more of stay |
| Highly skilled professional (70 points or more) | 3 years or more of stay |
| Highly skilled professional (80 points or more) | 1 year or more of stay |
※Periods of stay as a Technical Intern Trainee or as a Specified Skilled Worker (i) are in principle not counted toward the 10-year stay requirement.
5. What “performance of public duties” means
The guidelines place strong emphasis on the proper performance of public duties when permanent residence is reviewed. In practice, this includes the following:
| Type of duty | Content |
|---|---|
| Tax obligations | Proper payment of income tax, resident tax, corporate tax, and other taxes |
| Public pension contributions | Payment of National Pension or Employees’ Pension Insurance contributions |
| Public health insurance premiums | Payment of health insurance premiums |
| Notification obligations | Notifications such as change of address; applications for extension of period of stay, etc. |
Past non-payment or late payment may affect the outcome of a permanent residence application. It is important to fulfill these obligations consistently in daily life.
6. Application procedures for permanent residence
When you apply for permission for permanent residence, you must follow the procedures published on the Immigration Services Agency page Permission for Permanent Residence. The main points are as follows.
Where to file
Applications are submitted to the regional immigration services bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence or to the Immigration Services Agency’s Comprehensive Information Center for Foreign Residents. In principle, the applicant must appear in person (except for applicants under 16 years of age).
Main documents
Required documents vary according to your status of residence and personal circumstances. Typical categories include the following:
| Document type | Content |
|---|---|
| Common documents | Application for permission for permanent residence (one set); photograph (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within six months before application); resident record listing all members of the household including the applicant; residence card; passport |
| Documents proving family relationship | For example: spouse of a Japanese national—full copy of spouse’s family register; spouse of a permanent resident—evidence of marriage; child of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident—birth certificate or other documents proving relationship. Exact requirements depend on your situation. |
| Documents proving financial circumstances | Certificate of employment (or copy of final tax return); certificates of taxation and payment of resident tax (for the most recent 3–5 years, as applicable); certificate of tax payment (type 3); documents showing payment of public pension and public health insurance |
7. How to use the guidelines
The permanent residence guidelines are a useful reference when you prepare an application. They explain how cases tend to be reviewed; however, they are not a guarantee of permission, and outcomes may differ depending on individual circumstances.
Official guidelines
The latest version is available on the Immigration Services Agency website.
Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence (revised February 24, 2026, Reiwa 8)
Closing remarks
Permission for permanent residence is granted after a comprehensive assessment of whether you meet all three requirements described above. Reading the guidelines carefully and checking in advance whether your situation appears to meet the criteria can help you prepare your application efficiently.
If you have questions or concerns, please check the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website or consult a qualified professional such as an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi).
Heritage Administrative Scrivener Office assists with applications for permission for permanent residence as well as change, renewal, and acquisition of status of residence. Please feel free to contact us.
