Permanent Residence concerns foreign nationals who are in business and have their own families in Japan and want to live in Japan permanently. Many aliens might change their own status of residence to that of Permanent Residence. One of the reasons might be that it bothers them to renew their visa every one or three years.
The question g Isnft it possible to live in Japan permanently without getting Japanese Nationality?h is often heard. Getting permission for Permanent Residence is completely different from getting Japanese Nationality (Naturalization). The procedure is different respectively.
Therefore, there are some cases where foreign nationals who are not allowed to receive the status of residence of Permanent Residence but are able to receive Japanese Nationality. However, even if the requirements are fulfilled and the inspections are passed, it does not necessary mean that the applications will be approved. The minister of Justice is given the ultimate right of decision if the applications are approved or not.
Application of permission for Naturalization
Basic ordinance: Japanese Nationality Act
Bureau applications are submitted to: The Legal Affairs Bureau@
After the inspections at the Legal Affairs Bureau, the application is sent to the Ministry of Justice in Tokyo.
EBasic conditions:
1) The applicant must be twenty years of age or more.
2) He/she has domiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively.
3) His/her behavior and conduct must be good.
4) He/she is able to make an independent living by his/her own property or ability or those of onefs spouse or other relatives with whom one lives.
5) He/she is of no nationality or acquisition of Japanese nationality will result in the loss of the foreign nationality.
Application of permission for Permanent Residence
Basic ordinance: Immigration Law
Bureau applications are submitted to: Regional Immigration Office
EBasic conditions:
1) The applicantfs behavior and conduct must be good.
2) He/she is able to make an independent living by his/her own property or ability.The condition of consecutive period of stay in Japan is not mentioned in the law, however it is basically required that he/she has domiciled in Japan for ten years or more consecutively. It is also required that he/she is allowed to have the longest period of the current status of residence when applying for the status of residence of Permanent Residence.
The flexibility of the conditions: in the case the spouse is Japanese national
(including Permanent Resident, Special Permanent Resident)
1. The applicant has domiciled in Japan for three years or more consecutively since he/she got married.
2. He/she has domiciled in Japan for one year or more and three years passed after he /she get married.
(When applying for the permission for Permanent Residence, the applicant must be allowed to have the three years period of stay.)
