Applicants have to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households under the new rules
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenKyodoPublished: 5:39pm, 4 Aug 2026Japan’s immigration agency on Tuesday proposed tougher requirements for granting permanent residency to foreigners, including requiring applicants to maintain income above the average for Japanese households and a certain level of projected pension benefits.The proposed guidelines are part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to create an “orderly society” in which Japanese and foreign nationals coexist while cracking down on illegal activities.The Immigration Services Agency will solicit public comments before implementing the new rules from April 2027.
Permanent residents can remain in Japan indefinitely without restrictions on their activities while retaining their original nationality. Applicants generally must have lived in Japan for at least 10 years to qualify.
It differs from naturalisation, through which a person acquires Japanese citizenship.
Under the current guidelines, the three main requirements for obtaining permanent residency are good conduct, sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood and that granting permanent residency is in Japan’s best interests.
