Permanent Resident (Eijuusha) - including Highly Skilled Professional fast track
Permanent residence in Japan is granted at the Minister of Justice's discretion to residents with good conduct, independent means and whose residence benefits Japan. The general rule is 10 years of continuous residence, with shorter periods for spouses, long-term residents and Highly Skilled Professionals (3 years at 70 points, 1 year at 80 points). From 1 October 2026 the fee rose to 200,000 yen, and a revised guideline applying from 1 April 2027 adds income, pension and B1 Japanese criteria.
Life in Japan
Money
3
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
Japanese Yen
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–45%
Income tax (national)
Consumption tax 10%
Plus 2.1% reconstruction surtax on national tax and about 10% local inhabitant tax; 45% applies above JPY 40 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#59 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign residents already living in Japan on a status of residence who have a long, compliant record of residence, taxes and social insurance.
Eligibility
Good conduct
The applicant must obey the law and live in a way not socially condemned. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents are exempt from this and the next test.
Independent livelihood
Show you can live without becoming a public burden, through assets or skills.
From 1 April 2027- From 1 April 2027, household income is compared with average Japanese household income
- The comparison uses the same household size
Official wording
The applicant must have assets or skills to live without becoming a public burden. From 1 April 2027 household income is compared against average Japanese household income for the same household size.
10-year residence ruleGeneral
You generally need 10 years of continuous residence in Japan, including at least 5 years on a work or residence status.
Residence needed (general)
- Continuous residencein principle
- 10 years
- On work/residence status
- 5 years
- Technical Intern Training does not count
- SSW (i) does not count
Official wording
In principle, 10 years of continuous residence in Japan, including at least 5 years on a work or residence status (Technical Intern Training and SSW (i) do not count).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementHighly Skilled Professional fast track
- Document checklistPermanent residence application form
- FeesPermanent residence permission (counter, revenue stamps)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 8 more requirements
- 13 documents
- 2 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Japan
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- ISA - Permanent residence application procedure
- ISA - Guidelines for permanent residence (revised 24 Feb 2026)
- ISA - Guidelines for permanent residence (revised 1 Oct 2026, applies from 1 Apr 2027)
- ISA - Permanent residence application 1 (family route documents)
- ISA - Permanent residence application 3 (work statuses documents)
- ISA - Fee revision poster (English)
- ISA - PR system Q&A (revocation)
Other routes to Japan
- Visit & tourismShort-term stay visa (tourism, business, visiting relatives), including the JAPAN eVISA for tourism
- StudyStudent (留学) status of residence
- Work permitsEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- Skilled migrationHighly Skilled Professional (i) (高度専門職1号) under the points-based system
- FamilySpouse or Child of Japanese National
- Work permitsSpecified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii)
