Required Documents

Overview of Required Documents

A permanent residence application requires the preparation of many documents. The required documents can be broadly divided into documents common to all applicants and documents that vary depending on the type of Status of Residence and individual circumstances.

Document preparation is a particularly important step in the permanent residence application process. Incomplete or missing documents can delay the examination or result in a denial. Be sure to check thoroughly in advance and prepare everything without omissions.

Below, we introduce the main documents required for a permanent residence application, organized by category.

Common Documents

These are documents that all permanent residence applicants must submit, regardless of their type of Status of Residence.

Application for Permanent Residence

Fill out the prescribed form designated by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Enter the applicant's basic information (name, date of birth, nationality, address, etc.), residence history, family composition, occupation, and income. It is important to fill out the form accurately and carefully.

Photograph (4cm tall x 3cm wide)

Prepare one color photograph taken within 3 months before the application, facing forward, without a hat, and with a plain background. It follows the same specifications as a passport-size ID photo.

Passport and Residence Card

Present the originals of a valid passport and Residence Card. These will be verified at the counter when you submit your application, so be sure to bring them with you.

Statement of Reasons

This is a written document stating the reasons for applying for permanent residence. Describe in detail your living situation in Japan, the reasons you wish to obtain permanent residence, and your future plans. This is an important document for conveying the legitimacy of your application to the examiner, so prepare it carefully.

Personal Status Documents

These are documents to prove the applicant's personal status. The required documents vary depending on family composition and marital status.

Family Register (Koseki Tohon) (for spouses of Japanese nationals)

If you have a Japanese spouse, submit the spouse's Family Register (Koseki Tohon) (Certificate of All Matters). This is necessary to prove the fact of marriage and family relationships. Please prepare one issued within the last 3 months.

Resident Record (Juminhyo)

Submit a copy that includes all members of the household. While the My Number is not required, the document must include nationality, Status of Residence, period of stay, and other relevant information.

Birth Certificate, etc.

This is a document proving the applicant's birth. Submit a Birth Certificate issued by a government authority in your home country, or an equivalent document. If the document is written in a foreign language, a Japanese translation must be attached.

Income and Asset Documents

These are documents to prove that the applicant has the ability to support themselves independently. You need to demonstrate that you have a stable income or sufficient assets.

Certificate of Employment

Submit a Certificate of Employment issued by your current employer. It should include the employer's name, address, job type, employment period, and annual income. If you are self-employed, you can substitute this with a business license, a copy of your tax return, or similar documents.

Tax Certificate and Tax Payment Certificate

Submit Tax Certificates and Tax Payment Certificates for resident tax covering the most recent 5 years (or 3 years depending on your Status of Residence). These can be obtained at your municipal office. Tax payment status is a very important factor in the examination, so please confirm that there are no outstanding payments.

Bank Balance Certificate, etc.

You may need to submit a bank balance certificate issued by a financial institution. This is particularly useful when income is unstable or to supplement the independent livelihood requirement. Real estate registration certificates and similar documents can also be used to prove assets.

Social Insurance Documents

These are documents to prove the fulfillment of public obligations. In recent examinations, the payment status of social insurance premiums has been particularly emphasized.

Proof of Pension Premium Payment

If you are enrolled in the National Pension, submit copies of receipts for National Pension premiums for the most recent 2 years, or a Subscriber Record Inquiry Response. If you are enrolled in Employees' Pension Insurance, you can verify this with the Nenkin Teikibin (periodic pension notice) or records from Nenkin Net. Unpaid pension premiums are a major cause of denial, so be sure to check your payment status.

Proof of Health Insurance Premium Payment

If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, obtain a payment certificate for the most recent 2 years of premiums from your municipal office. If you are enrolled in your company's health insurance, you can verify this with a copy of your health insurance card. It is also important that there are no outstanding health insurance premium payments.

Guarantor-Related Documents

A permanent residence application requires a guarantor residing in Japan. The guarantor assumes responsibility for the applicant's living expenses, return travel costs, and compliance with laws and regulations.

Guarantee Letter

Submit the prescribed form designated by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, signed and sealed by the guarantor. The guarantor is generally a Japanese national or a permanent resident.

Guarantor's Income Certificate, etc.

Submit the guarantor's Tax Certificate for the most recent 1 year (or a copy of their tax return) and Resident Record (Juminhyo). This is necessary to prove that the guarantor has a stable income.

Important Notes

Please note the following points regarding the documents required for a permanent residence application.

Required Documents Vary by Status of Residence

The above is an example of generally required documents. The actual documents required vary depending on the type of your current Status of Residence (employment-based, status-based, etc.) and individual circumstances. For example, the documents required for someone with the "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status may differ from those required for someone with the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status.

Check the Latest Information on the Immigration Services Agency Website

The required documents may change due to legal amendments or operational changes. Be sure to check the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website before applying. Additionally, the regional immigration bureau with jurisdiction may request additional documents.

Pay Attention to Document Expiration Dates

Many official documents have expiration dates. Generally, documents issued within the last 3 months are required. Plan the timing of obtaining documents and submitting your application carefully to avoid expired documents.