Although these changes have not yet been finalized, the draft indicates that PR applications will be examined more carefully than before. This is because Permanent Residence is considered the most stable immigration status in Japan, allowing a person to live in Japan permanently without restrictions on activities or the period of stay. 

Main Proposed Changes

The draft includes the following important changes:

Higher Income Requirements

Applicants will be expected to maintain an income that is higher than the average income of a Japanese household of the same size. 

Future Pension Benefits

Immigration authorities also plan to consider an applicant’s expected future pension benefits. If the expected pension amount is insufficient, financial assets such as savings may also be taken into account. 

Japanese Language Ability

Applicants may be required to prove Japanese language ability at approximately CEFR B1 level. 

Understanding of Japanese Society

Applicants who do not have a sufficient understanding of Japan’s laws, social systems, and everyday rules may receive a negative evaluation. 

Children’s School Attendance

If an applicant has children of compulsory school age (6-12 yeras old), failure to send them to school may negatively affect the PR application. 

Changes to the Spouse Exception

The special eligibility requirements for spouses of Japanese nationals and Permanent Residents are also expected to change.

Effective Date

According to the current draft:

・If you apply before April 1, 2027:
Although the official guideline revision date has not yet been finalized, certain revised requirements, including the income requirements, are expected to apply to applications submitted within the six months before the official revision date and that are still under review on the revision date.

・If you apply on or after April 1, 2027:
The revised Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence are expected to apply.

Please note that: These are currently only proposed revisions and have not yet been finalized. The official revision date and the details of the revised requirements may still change before the revisions are officially implemented.

The Japanese government has proposed increasing the Immigration Services Processing Fees for various immigration applications. The most significant change is the proposed increase for Permanent Residence applications—from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. Following the public comment period, the new fee is expected to take effect in October 2026.

If you already satisfy the current eligibility requirements for Permanent Residence, you may wish to consider submitting your application before the revised fee takes effect.

At WITH IMMIGRATION LAW OFFICE, we provide professional support for Permanent Residence applications. We carefully review your eligibility, prepare the necessary documents, and support you throughout the application process. If you are considering applying for Permanent Residence in Japan, please feel free to contact us.

Please note that: When immigration services processing fees were revised in 2025, the applicable Immigration Services Processing Fee was determined based on the application date, not the approval date. At present, the government has not yet confirmed whether the same policy be adopted in connection with the proposed 2026 revision. If the same policy is adopted, applicants who submit their Permanent Residence applications before the effective date of the revised fee may continue to be subject to the current Immigration Services Processing Fee of ¥10,000.

A family of three—an “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa holder and two dependents—has finally been granted permanent residency after a 14-month wait.