Applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Japan requires submitting a comprehensive set of documents. The required documents differ depending on whether you are applying from a work visa (employment-based visa) or as a spouse of a Japanese national/permanent resident. This checklist details the necessary documents for each category and highlights key differences.
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📌 General Required Documents (Common for All Applicants)
Regardless of visa type, all PR applicants must submit the following documents:
- Permanent Residency Application Form (永住許可申請書)
- Photo (3cm × 4cm) (Not required for applicants under 16 years old)
- Statement of Reason for Applying (永住許可申請理由書)
- This document is not a major deciding factor but is still required.
- Residence Record – Juminhyo (住民票) (Issued by the City Office)
- Must include information for all household members.
- My Number (個人番号) should be omitted.
- Passport & Residence Card (パスポート・在留カード)
- Certificate of Employment (在職証明書) or Corporate Registration Certificate (法人登記簿謄本) (For self-employed individuals, issued by Legal Affairs Bureau)
- Bankbook Copies (通帳の写し) (To prove financial stability)
- Tax Payment Certificates (To confirm all taxes have been paid on time)
- Resident Tax Payment Certificates (住民税の課税証明書・納税証明書) (Issued by the City Office)
- Work visa applicants: Past 5 years required
- Spouse visa applicants: Past 3 years required (1 year if applying as a child of a Japanese/PR holder)
- National Tax Payment Certificates (源泉所得税・申告所得税・消費税などの納税証明書) (Issued by the Tax Office)
- Required for all individuals with income
- Resident Tax Payment Certificates (住民税の課税証明書・納税証明書) (Issued by the City Office)
- National Pension Payment Records (年金支払い状況) (Past 2 years)
- Obtainable from Nenkin Net (ねんきんネット) or the latest pension statement
- Health Insurance Payment Records (健康保険料支払い状況) (Past 2 years)
- Employees should submit Health Insurance Card (健康保険証) copies
- Self-employed individuals must submit National Health Insurance Payment Certificates (国民健康保険税納付証明書)
- Real Estate Property Registration (不動産登記簿謄本) (If you own property in Japan)
- Guarantor Documents
- Letter of Guarantee (身元保証書)
- Guarantor’s Proof of Employment or Tax Return (在職証明書または確定申告書)
- Guarantor’s Resident Tax Payment Certificate (住民税課税証明書, past 1 year)
- Guarantor’s Residence Record (住民票)
- Proof of Social Contributions (日本への貢献を証明する資料) [Optional]
- If applicable, submitting recommendation letters or proof of contributions to Japanese society can help strengthen your application.
🔹 Additional Documents for Work Visa Holders
Applicants applying from a work visa must submit additional documents to verify their financial stability and employment status:
- Proof of Employment History (Past 5 years)
- If you have changed jobs frequently, be prepared to explain any employment gaps.
- Proof of Stable Income
- Annual income should be at least 3 million JPY for the past 5 years.
- Higher income is required if supporting dependents (e.g., 3.6 million JPY for a family of three).
- Company’s Social Insurance and Pension Payment Records (社会保険・厚生年金保険料の納付証明書)
- Business owners must submit proof of their company’s proper tax and social insurance payments.
🔹 Additional Documents for Spouse of a Japanese National/Permanent Resident
- Marriage Certificate (結婚証明書) or Family Registry (戸籍謄本)
- If married to a Japanese citizen, submit a Koseki Tohon (戸籍謄本) issued within the last 3 months.
- If married to a permanent resident, submit a Marriage Certificate.
- Proof of Marriage Stability
- Documents showing you and your spouse are living together (e.g., joint bank accounts, lease agreements, photos, messages).
- Proof of Spouse’s Financial Status
- If the spouse is the primary income earner, they must provide proof of financial stability.
- The applicant’s income is not necessarily required if the spouse meets financial stability requirements.
📌 Important Notes on Document Submission
- All tax and social insurance payments must be paid on time to avoid rejection.
- Any documents in a foreign language must be translated into Japanese.
- All original documents must be issued within the past 3 months.
📩 Need Assistance? Contact a Visa Specialist
Applying for Permanent Residency in Japan is a complex process that requires meticulous document preparation. If you need professional assistance, our visa experts can guide you through every step. Contact us today for a consultation:
