For many foreign residents, the “Permanent Resident” (Eijuuken) visa is the ultimate goal. It allows you to live in Japan indefinitely, change jobs freely, get bank loans for a house, and—most importantly—brings you one step closer to bringing your parents or extended family to visit.
However, in 2026, the rules for PR are stricter than ever. While new paths have opened for skilled workers (SSW Type 2), the Japanese government has also introduced tough new laws to revoke PR status if you fail to pay taxes.
This guide covers everything from the “10-Year Rule” to the specific salary requirements for 2026.
1. Who Can Apply? (The 3 Main Paths)
Not everyone qualifies at the same time. Your waiting period depends entirely on your current visa status.
Path A: The Standard Route (10 Years)
- Who: Holders of standard work visas (Engineer, Humanities, SSW Type 2) or Long-Term Residents.
- Requirement: You must have lived in Japan for 10 consecutive years.
- Work Condition: During those 10 years, you must have worked under a valid work visa for at least 5 years.
- Note: Time spent as a “Technical Intern” (TITP) or “Student” does not count towards the 5-year work requirement, though it counts towards the 10-year total.
Path B: The “Highly Skilled” Route (1 or 3 Years)
- Who: Holders of the HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) visa or those who would have qualified for it.
- 70 Points: If you score 70 points on the point scale, you can apply after 3 years.
- 80 Points: If you score 80 points, you can apply after just 1 year of residence.
- Tip: You don’t need to actually hold the HSP visa. You just need to prove you had the points 1 or 3 years ago.
Path C: The Spouse Route (3 Years)
- Who: Spouses of Japanese nationals or Permanent Residents.
- Requirement: You must have been married for 3 years and lived in Japan for at least 1 year.
2. The Special Case: Specified Skilled Workers (SSW)
This is the most critical update for 2026.
- SSW Type 1: Time spent on this visa does NOT count towards Permanent Residency. It is considered a temporary training period.
- SSW Type 2: Time spent on this visa DOES count.
- The Strategy: You must upgrade from SSW 1 to SSW 2 (by passing the Level 2 skills test). Once you hold SSW 2, you can start counting your years toward the “10-Year Rule.”
- Read more:-
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3. Financial Requirements: How Much Salary?
Japan does not have a written “minimum salary” law for PR, but immigration officials use a strict internal benchmark.
- Single Applicant: You generally need an annual income of ¥3,000,000 JPY (approx. $20,000 USD).
- With Dependents: For every dependent (spouse/child) you support, add ¥700,000 to ¥800,000 JPY.
- Example: A man supporting a wife and one child needs roughly ¥4.5 Million to ¥4.6 Million JPY per year.
- Proof: You must submit 3 to 5 years of tax certificates (Nouzei-shomeisho). If your income dipped below this level in any of those years, you will likely be rejected.
4. The “Good Conduct” Trap (Taxes & Pension)
In 2026, Japan is zero-tolerance on social security.
- The Rule: You must prove you paid your Resident Tax (Juminzei), National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken), and Pension (Nenkin) on time every single month.
- The Trap: Even if you paid everything, but you paid late (after the deadline), it counts as a negative.
- New 2026 Law: The government now has the power to revoke (cancel) your Permanent Residency if you repeatedly fail to pay taxes or social insurance after getting the visa.
5. Application Process & Fees
Step 1: Gather Documents
- Guarantor Letter (Must be a Japanese national or PR holder).
- Tax Certificates (Last 3-5 years).
- Pension/Health Insurance Records (Last 2 years).
- Proof of Income (Employment certificate).
- Reason Letter (Written in Japanese).
Step 2: Submit to Immigration You apply at your local Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
Step 3: The Fees (2026 Increase Warning)
- Current Fee: ¥8,000 JPY (paid via revenue stamps only if approved).
- 2026 Proposal: The government is considering raising this fee significantly, potentially up to ¥50,000 – ¥100,000 JPY to match international standards. Apply soon to avoid this hike.
Step 4: The Wait
- Processing time is currently very slow: 10 to 14 months is standard.
