Japan is reportedly preparing tighter permanent residence criteria for foreign nationals, with the revised guidelines expected to take effect on October 1, 2026 and to apply in principle to applications filed from April 2027.
Multiple Japanese news organisations, citing a draft prepared by the Immigration Services Agency, report that applicants would need a sustained annual income above the average income of Japanese households. They would also generally need projected pension benefits equivalent to 30 years of enrolment in the employees’ pension system at that income level. Applicants whose projected pension falls short could reportedly demonstrate sufficient savings or other financial assets instead.
The reported draft would also make Japanese-language ability and understanding of Japanese systems and local rules part of the assessment of whether granting permanent residence serves Japan’s interests. News reports say a negative assessment could be made where school-age children are not enrolled in school in Japan.
Possible changes for spouses of Japanese citizens and permanent residents
The proposal would reportedly tighten one of the main exceptions to the standard residence requirement. Under the Immigration Services Agency’s current published guidelines, a spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident can qualify for an exception after a genuine marriage of at least three years and at least one continuous year of residence in Japan.
According to the reported draft, that route would require at least five years of marriage and three years of continuous residence in Japan. The agency has not yet published the revised guidelines, so the final wording, transition arrangements and any exceptions remain unconfirmed.
What the current rules say
Japan’s existing guidelines generally require an applicant to have lived in the country continuously for at least 10 years, including at least five years under a work-eligible or residential status. Applicants must also show good conduct, financial independence and proper fulfilment of public obligations such as taxes, pension contributions and health-insurance payments. There are separate exceptions, including for qualifying spouses and highly skilled professionals.
Permanent residence is a long-term immigration status, not a tourist visa or a visa-waiver entry permission. Visitors planning a holiday, short business trip or ordinary temporary stay are not affected by the reported proposal. The changes are most relevant to people already building a long-term life in Japan, including residents considering a future permanent-residence application.
Anyone approaching eligibility should keep complete records of income, tax, pension and insurance payments, and follow updates published directly by the Immigration Services Agency. Until the agency releases its final guidelines, reported thresholds and dates should be treated as planned policy rather than settled application rules.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Japanese media report that the guidelines are expected to be revised on October 1, 2026 and applied in principle to applications filed from April 2027. The Immigration Services Agency has not yet published the final revised guidelines.
No. Permanent residence is a long-term status for people living in Japan; it is separate from tourist visas, visa-waiver entry and short stays.
The current Immigration Services Agency guidelines generally require 10 continuous years in Japan, including five years under a qualifying work or residential status, alongside good conduct, financial independence and proper payment of public obligations. Several exceptions exist.
