For those who have been living in Japan for many years and are considering applying for Permanent Residence with a view toward their future, reviewing the official guidelines that serve as the basis for examination is the top priority. On February 24, Reiwa 8 (2026), the Immigration Services Agency of Japan announced the latest revision of the “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence.”

Permanent Residence is an extremely powerful status: once granted, the period of stay becomes indefinite and employment restrictions are removed. For this reason, the screening process has become increasingly strict each year. In this latest revision, clearer and more stringent standards have been explicitly stated, particularly regarding the “fulfillment of public obligations.”

In this article, based on the February 2026 revision, we will explain in detail what has changed from the previous guidelines and what points applicants should pay special attention to in order to increase their chances of approval.

Basic Principles of Permanent Residence Applications and the Redefinition of “Good Conduct”

To obtain Permanent Residence, applicants must satisfy all three of the following statutory requirements:

  • The applicant must be of good conduct.

  • The applicant must have sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.

  • The applicant’s permanent residence must be deemed to be in the interests of Japan.

In the latest revision, terminology related to criminal penalties has been updated. The term previously translated as “imprisonment with labor” has been replaced with “imprisonment” in accordance with amendments to Japan’s Penal Code.

However, the change is not merely terminological. In light of evolving social conditions, it is increasingly important to recognize that compliance with the law—and living in a manner that is not socially condemnable as a member of society—is the first step in passing the Permanent Residence examination.

Dramatic Tightening of the Review of Fulfillment of Public Obligations

The most significant and challenging revision concerns the proper fulfillment of public obligations. These include payment of taxes, pension contributions, health insurance premiums, and notification obligations under immigration law.

The February 2026 revision added the following clarification:

  • Payment within the original due date is mandatory.
    Although payment was required under the previous guidelines, the new version explicitly states that even if payments have been completed by the time of application, failure to pay within the original due date will, in principle, be evaluated negatively.

This represents a major change. Previously, it was sometimes possible to remedy unpaid amounts by paying them in full before application. Going forward, even a single missed deadline may work against the applicant.

Those who personally pay National Pension or National Health Insurance premiums should strongly consider switching to automatic bank transfer or credit card payment to prevent any delays.

Special Measures Regarding Period of Stay and the “March 2027 Deadline”

One requirement for Permanent Residence is that the applicant must currently hold the longest possible period of stay for their status. In principle, this means a five-year visa. However, as a special measure, applicants with a three-year period of stay were also eligible.

The revised guidelines set a concrete deadline for this special measure:

  • Grace period until March 31, Reiwa 9 (2027)
    Those who receive a three-year period of stay by March 31, 2027 may still treat it as the “longest period of stay” for their first Permanent Residence application filed during that period.

After this deadline, applicants may be required to obtain a five-year visa before becoming eligible to apply for Permanent Residence. Those currently holding a three-year visa are advised to accelerate their preparation schedule.

Expansion of Special Categories and New Application Routes

At the same time, the guidelines clarify and expand pathways for certain eligible individuals.

Complementary Protection Beneficiaries

Individuals recognized as “complementary protection beneficiaries” due to conflict or other circumstances are now clearly eligible for relaxed requirements similar to recognized refugees, including exemption from the independent livelihood requirement.

Compliance with Status of Residence Criteria

A new requirement has been added: applicants must be in compliance with the criteria of their current status of residence. This means immigration authorities will strictly examine whether the applicant’s current activities continue to meet legal standards.

Highly Skilled Professionals and Special Highly Skilled Individuals

Under the points-based system (70 or 80 points), it is now explicitly required that applicants must not only meet the required points at the time of application but must have continuously maintained those points over the past several years.

Additionally, individuals classified as “Special Highly Skilled Professionals” with exceptionally high income or professional background may qualify for Permanent Residence after only one year of residence.

Major Benefits of Obtaining Permanent Residence

Successfully obtaining Permanent Residence significantly stabilizes life in Japan:

  • No expiration of stay; renewal procedures become unnecessary

  • No employment restrictions

  • Increased social credibility, improving access to housing loans and financial screening

  • Greater stability for the entire family’s residence status

Q&A on Permanent Residence Applications

Q. I was late paying taxes once. Should I give up?

A. The February 2026 revision strongly emphasizes payment within due dates. A single, short delay may still be considered in light of the reason and evidence of improvement, if properly explained. However, repeated delays will be evaluated very strictly. Building a flawless payment record going forward is crucial.

Q. What annual income is required?

A. No fixed threshold is stated, but generally around 3 million yen annually for a single applicant is considered a guideline. Applicants with dependents must demonstrate proportionally higher income. Authorities focus not only on income amount but also long-term financial stability without becoming a public burden.

Q. Are there special considerations for self-employed individuals?

A. Yes. Compared to salaried employees, more documentation is required to prove tax payment and social insurance compliance. Strict attention is paid to whether pension and health insurance payments were made on time. Applicants should prepare complete documentation for the past several years.

Q. Are periods under Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) counted?

A. These periods count toward the 10-year residence requirement but do not count toward the requirement of at least five years under a work or residence status. Applicants must switch to another eligible work visa and complete five years under that status.

Q. What are the benefits of hiring a certified administrative scrivener?

A. If an application is denied once, future applications become more difficult. A professional familiar with the February 2026 guidelines can prepare optimal documentation tailored to your situation and construct persuasive explanations addressing potential concerns, maximizing the likelihood of approval.

Conclusion: Early Preparation Is the Key

With the February 2026 revision, Permanent Residence applications have become more transparent, yet stricter than ever regarding fulfillment of public obligations.

Standards may change while you delay applying. The newly emphasized “payment within due dates” requirement and the March 2027 deadline will significantly affect many applicants.

We recommend first confirming whether your current situation meets the latest standards through a professional assessment.

Our office provides simulations based on the latest guidelines and application strategies tailored to individual circumstances.

  • Concerned about your eligibility?

  • Unsure how to explain past payment delays?

  • Need assistance calculating and documenting Highly Skilled Professional points?

We are committed to fully supporting your successful Permanent Residence application. Please feel free to contact us through our consultation form.