Zagdim Reader Desk · Japan permanent residence
Permanent residence in JapanApplying for permission for permanent residence
If you have worked and lived in Japan for many years and have met your public obligations in full, you can consider applying for permanent residence. The Zagdim Reader Desk first establishes your situation, then shortlists suitable administrative scriveners in Japan, who assess eligibility and timing, submit the application and follow it through to a decision.
01 · Permanent residence in Japan
What is permanent residence in Japan, and how does it differ from an ordinary status of residence?
Permanent residence in Japan (permission for permanent residence, 永住許可) is a status of residence with an unlimited period of stay and no restriction on the activities you may undertake in work and daily life. In general you must have lived in Japan continuously for 10 years or more and meet conditions such as good conduct, an independent livelihood, and payment of taxes, pension and health insurance on time. Shorter periods apply to spouses of Japanese nationals, highly skilled professionals and certain others.
An application for permanent residence is submitted by the applicant, a legal representative, or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) registered with a regional immigration services bureau. Applications arranged through this service are handled by an administrative scrivener; the Zagdim Reader Desk clarifies your situation before the application and follows up at key points.
Including 5 years or more under a work or residence-based status.
Spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident: married for 3 years or more and in Japan for 1 year or more.
1 year with 80 points or more; 3 years with 70 points or more.
Taxes, pension, health insurance and immigration notifications must be completed on time.
Holders of a “3 years” period are treated as meeting this, as a transitional measure until 31 March 2027.
The fee is paid when permission is granted.
02 · Application categories
Who can apply for permanent residence in Japan
These are the common categories. The residence period and conditions are assessed according to your status.
General · long-term work and life in Japan
You have worked and lived in Japan for 10 years or more
Suits: people who have worked in Japan for many years under statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Business Manager.
Key requirements: Continuous residence of 10 years or more, including 5 years or more under a work status; stable income; public obligations must be met in full.
Spouses and children
Spouses and children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents
Suits: people married to a Japanese national, a permanent resident or a special permanent resident, and their children.
Key requirements: Married for 3 years or more and in Japan for 1 year or more; children in Japan for 1 year or more. For those who qualify, the fee can be reduced to ¥20,000 (about US$125).
Highly skilled professionals
Highly Skilled Professional with 70 points or more
Suits: people working in Japan as highly skilled professionals.
Key requirements: 3 years’ continuous stay with 70 points or more, or 1 year’s continuous stay with 80 points or more; the points must be maintained throughout.
All applicants
Conditions that apply to everyone
Good conduct and an independent livelihood (these two do not apply to spouses and children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents).
Taxes, pension and health insurance paid on time; the longest period of stay for your current status; for Long-Term Residents, 5 years or more in Japan.
Regional immigration bureaus do not all focus on the same points in their review; the timing of the application and how to prepare are assessed according to your circumstances.
03 · Application support
The Reader Desk and an administrative scrivener, from first review to a decision
The Reader Desk first establishes your years of residence, period of stay, income, and tax and pension payment records. An administrative scrivener then assesses the timing of the application, helps prepare the documents, submits the application to the immigration bureau and follows it through to a decision.
- 01
Initial understanding
A 20-minute initial review of your eligibility.
- 02
Timing
Assessing the timing and approach of the application.
- 03
Documents
Help preparing the application documents.
- 04
Filing and follow-up
The administrative scrivener submits the application and follows it through to permission.
04 · Costs and timing
The government fee and the service fee are counted separately
Permanent residence permission fee (government fee)
¥200,000 (about US$1,250)Applications accepted from 1 October 2026
Paid by revenue stamp (収入印紙) when permission is granted; nothing is paid on filing. For applications accepted on or before 30 September, the fee remains ¥10,000.
Reduced fee
¥20,000Spouses, children and others who qualify
For spouses or children of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident, and certain others, the fee can be reduced to ¥20,000.
Application documents
As set by each issuing bodyCharged by the issuing body
Documents such as the certificate of residence (住民票) and certificates of tax and pension payment are handled by each issuing body under its own rules.
Service fee
Quoted case by caseBy application category and number of family members
Before work starts, the administrative scrivener sets out the scope of work, the fee and the payment arrangements.
How long does the review take?
The official standard processing period is 4 to 6 months; time for preparing documents and supplying further documents is additional.
In principle you must hold the longest period of stay for your current status; until 31 March 2027, holders of a “3 years” period of stay are treated as meeting this. Regional immigration bureaus do not all focus on the same points in their review, and the timing of the application is assessed according to your circumstances.
JAPAN · A PLACE TO STAY
Life in Japan, on a longer footing
Bring your years of residence, payment records and family arrangements together, starting with one initial review.
05 · Getting started
Book an initial review for permanent residence in Japan
On an online call with the Reader Desk, you set out your years in Japan, your status of residence and period of stay, your income and payment records, and any family members applying with you, to confirm the suitable category and timing.
Mention “Japan permanent residence” when you get in touch, so the Reader Desk can go straight to your application.
The Zagdim Reader Desk handles contact and follow-up.
- 01Whether you meet the residence period
- 02Whether now is the right time to apply
- 03Which documents to prepare
- 04How family members can be included
06 · Common questions
Permanent residence in Japan: common questions
What is the fee for applications from October 2026?
For permanent residence applications accepted from 1 October, ¥200,000 is paid when permission is granted. For applications accepted on or before 30 September, ¥10,000 still applies even if permission is granted in October or later. For spouses or children of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident, and certain others, the fee can be reduced to ¥20,000.
When is the fee paid?
The fee is paid by revenue stamp when permanent residence is granted; nothing is paid on filing.
Can you apply with a period of stay of only 1 year?
In principle you must hold the longest period of stay for your current status; until 31 March 2027, holders of “3 years” are treated as meeting this. If you currently hold only 1 year, the usual course is to assess the renewal and the timing of the application first.
Will late pension or health insurance payments affect the application?
Whether taxes, pension and health insurance were paid on time is one of the points examined. If there have been late payments, put the payment records in order before applying, then assess the timing.
Can a whole family apply together?
Yes, you can apply at the same time; each applicant is examined separately. Whether the shorter residence period and the reduced fee apply is assessed for the spouse and each child according to their own status.
Do you have to engage an administrative scrivener?
Not necessarily. You can apply to the immigration bureau in person yourself. A registered administrative scrivener, if engaged, can submit the application and deal with the immigration bureau on your behalf.
Assess eligibility and timing first, then begin the application.
Book an initial reviewPermission for permanent residence is decided solely by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, and outcomes vary with individual circumstances; neither the Zagdim Reader Desk nor the administrative scrivener guarantees that any application will succeed. The fee is charged by the immigration bureau and follows the current official notice. Submission of the application documents is carried out by a Japanese administrative scrivener in accordance with the law. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Information checked to 12 October 2026.
