Permanent residence / Naturalization

Permanent Residence

To obtain the visa, it is necessary to prove that the person lives in Japan for long term as well as its stable base for living in Japan.

Permanent Residence holder has no limitation for the range of work activities and period of stay in Japan. Also, renewing visa is not required. (Application for Re-entry permission is still required.) With Permanent Residence visa, it gives flexibility in activities in Japan can be flexible and huge advantage for foreigners.

As it gives more credit to live in Japan. Permanent Residence visa holder can make use of a loan by bank, finance corporation. However, Permanent Residence visa holder is still categorized as a foreigner in Japan, therefore if any problem caused, the foreigner can be deported and no suffrage granted so far.
　

1. Guideline for permission of Permanent Residence
Ministry of Justice in Japan indicates the guideline for permission of Permanent Residence as below link.

1. The person is of good conduct.
The person observes Japanese laws and his/her daily living as a resident does not invite any social criticism.

2. The person has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living.
The person does not financially depend on someone in the society in his daily life, and his/her assets or ability, etc. are assumed to continue to provide him/her with a stable base of livelihood into the future.

3. The person’s permanent residence is regarded to be in accord with the interests of Japan.
a) In principle, the person has stayed in Japan for more than 10 years consecutively. It is also required that during his/her stay in Japan the person has had work permit or the status of residence for more than 5 years consecutively.

b) The person has been never sentenced to a fine or imprisonment. The person fulfills public duties such as tax payment.

c) The maximum period of stay allowed for the person with his/her current status of residence under Annexed Table 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is to be fully utilized.

d) There is no possibility that the person could do harm from the viewpoint of protection of public health.

*The requirements (1) and (2) above do not apply to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents, and requirement (2) does not apply for those who have been recognized as refugees.
　

2. Special requirements for 10-year residence in principle

(1) The person is a spouse of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has been in a real marital relationship for more than 3 years consecutively and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively. Or, the person is a true child of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively.

(2) The person has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years consecutively with the status of long term resident.

(3) The person has been recognized as a refugee, and has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years consecutively after recognition.

(4) The person has been recognized to have made a contribution to Japan in diplomatic, social, economic, cultural or other fields, and has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years.

※ Please see “Guideline for Contribution to Japan.”
　
　

Application for Naturalization

Application for Naturalization means to apply for Japanese Citizenship by abandoning citizenship of other country.

According to Japanese Nationality Act (Article 1, Clause 1) says that foreigners is able to obtain Japanese nationality by Naturalization. Once Naturalization application approved, the applicant is to be “Japanese nationality” forfeiting their original nationality. In terms of this feature, it is different from Permanent Residence visa which is still categorized as “Foreigner”.

Basic conditions for Naturalization is being provided by Japanese Nationality Act.
① Continuous residence in Japan for five years or more.
② At least 21 years old and otherwise legally competent.
③ History of good behavior and no past history of seditious behavior.
④ Sufficient capital by oneself / spouse / relative or skills to make a stable livelihood in Japan.
⑤ Stateless or forfeiting their nationality by Naturalization.
⑥ The person who has never attempted or advocated to ruin the Government established under the Constitution of Japan enforced on 3rd May, 1947, and who has never attempted or advocated to form or belong to a political party to ruin the Government.

However, Naturalization can be permitted to everybody who meets the requirements on their period of stay in Japan.

It requires to clear a specific conditions as well as minimum necessary proficiency of Japanese language (More than the level of lower grades of primary school.). Also, a subject of judgement is vast and detailed such as, if the applicant lives in Japan obeys the Japanese law or adapt themselves to their surroundings / workplace.

Not as a standard visa application, application for Naturalization is to be made at the Legal Affairs Bureau where the applicant residence covers. The applicants themselves have to appear the Bureau and no proxy is approved.