Immigration
Procedures

Status of Residence and Duration of Stay Activities Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Changing Status of Residence Extension of Duration of Stay Permanent Residency Possession of a Passport Transfer of Passport Stamps Immigration Offices Consultation Regarding Immigration Matters Handling Fees << Back to English Index << HOME

Permanent Residency Due to the exceptional nature of permanent resident status, namely no restrictions on permissible activities or duration of stay, there are very exacting criteria to be met and any application for permanent residency by a foreign national is considered very carefully. The criteria are as follows: 1. You are of good conduct. 2. You are in possession of the ability and assets to independently support yourself. 3. Your permanent residence will accord with the interests of Japan. In practice it seems that the major considerations are whether you have conducted yourself respectably for a number of years and have established a stable standard of living. For dependents of Japanese nationals it is comparatively easy to be granted permanent residency. (‘Naturalization’ means to acquire Japanese nationality, and to no longer be considered a foreign national.)