Should You Apply for Permanent Residency Earlier Rather Than Later? What You Need to Know Before Requirements Become Stricter![Latest 2026 Update]

Japan’s immigration policies are about to undergo significant changes for various reasons. Without a doubt, many foreign nationals are understandably feeling anxious about whether they will be able to continue living in Japan under the changing policies.

If you are considering applying for permanent residency in Japan and already meet the current requirements, it is advisable to complete and submit your application as soon as possible under the existing rules before any stricter regulations are implemented.

Benefits of Applying for Permanent Residency Early

Stricter Verification of Public Obligations (Taxes and Social Insurance Premiums)

In the current permanent residency screening process, compliance with public obligations is subject to strict scrutiny.

The Japanese government strongly requires permanent residents to fulfill social responsibilities (e.g., taxes, health insurance premiums, pension, etc.) equivalent to those of Japanese citizens, and the standards have become more detailed year by year.

In the past, the requirement was simply that there were “no unpaid amounts” (i.e., that all payments had been made in full). However, now the focus is on whether payments were made by the exact due date. For example, if you forgot to switch to the national pension system when changing jobs and later paid several months’ worth in a lump sum, this payment history may still be negatively evaluated in the screening process as a “failure to meet deadlines.”

This could have a negative impact on your ability to get permanent residency under the new rules.

Since the period for checking past payment history may be extended further in the future, if you currently meet the requirements now for permanent residency, it is advisable to take action as early as possible.

Benefits of Applying Under the Current System to Eliminate Future Uncertainty

Submitting your application under the current system is one of the best ways to avoid potential disadvantages resulting from future policy changes.

Japan’s immigration policies are constantly evolving in response to social conditions and political pressure. Once the requirements are tightened, they will not be return to the previous, more lenient standards.

Major Benefits of Obtaining Permanent Residency

No work restrictions can dramatically expand your career options!

By obtaining permanent residency, you will be completely free from job restrictions tied to your residence status. In contrast, regular work visas are limited to specific job types or industries, but permanent residency comes with no employment restrictions. Instead, it allows you to engage in any lawful work of your choosing.

You will be free to change your job to a different industry not permitted under your current visa, take on side jobs, or even establish your own company and focus on running it. Even if you lose your job due to an economic downturn, you will be eligible for other jobs without being limited to a certain type of work. This will give you a greater sense of relief and more opportunities open to you.

Obtaining permanent residence can be your strongest asset to allow you more freedom in many respects, including build in a career in Japan.

No need to renew your period of stay, which reduces the anxiety and time-related costs

By obtaining permanent residency, you will be free from the hassle and anxiety associated with renewing your visa every few years.

Every few years, gathering a large volume of documents, paying several thousand yen in fees, and waiting for the screening results every few years becomes a huge loss in the long run. Additionally, considering the risk of renewal overlapping with periods such as job transitions, the peace of mind that comes with an permanent residence status is precious.

To truly make your life in Japan your own, eliminating the invisible burden of renewal procedures makes everything so much easier.

Key “Application Barriers” You Should Check Now in Preparation for Stricter Requirements

Have you maintained a certain level of annual income over the past 3–5 years?

When applying for permanent residency, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient income to maintain a stable livelihood into the future.

You are required to meet the “financial independence” standard, and generally, an annual income of at least 3 million yen is considered the minimum threshold for a single applicant.

If you changed jobs within the past 3-5 years and your income temporarily decreased, or if your earnings were reduced due to childcare leave or maternity/paternity leave, you should exercise caution. Immigration authorities place strong emphasis on consistency, meaning that stable income over time is valued more highly than temporary periods of high earnings.

Assuming that this income requirement may increase in the near future in response to rising living costs and broader social conditions, you should strongly consider applying earlier for permanent residence sooner rather than later if you already meet the current income criteria.

Have you ever been late—even by a single day—on pension or health insurance payments, etc.?

Naturally, having no unpaid contributions is essential—but even a record of missing a payment deadline by just one day can significantly affect your application screening.

According to the Ministry of Justice guidelines, compliance with public obligations explicitly includes meeting payment deadlines, and as the screening process has become increasingly strict, this is taken very seriously.

Even if you do not use direct debit and simply forgot to pay the invoice, which resulted in a delay of a few days, this can be a reason for rejecting your permanent residence application. One common pitfall occurs during the “gap period” when you start a new job (but may not have been paid or payment dates may have changed), it is important to make sure that you pay all premiums for national health insurance, pension, and the like on time.

If you have a history of late payments, you should promptly review your payment history, as you will need to re-establish a record of timely payments over a certain period (typically two years or more).

Merits of Consulting with Our Firm

The documents required for permanent residency applications vary depending on each individual's circumstances. It is also necessary to obtain a large volume of documents from numerous government offices. This can be very time-consuming and getting certain documents requires you to go to the city hall in person.

Kobe Legal Partners has extensive experience with immigration procedures, in particular applications for permanent residence. We will determine which documents you need and help you with gathering all the required documents quickly and efficiently.

Please feel free to reach out to us for a consultation to avoid any regrets about not applying for your permanent residency earlier and before the requirements become more stringent.