Japan tightens permanent residency rules for foreigners

Japan has tightened its requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residency, introducing stricter income and pension standards alongside new Japanese-language requirements.

The revised guidelines, officially announced by the Japanese government on Thursday, will largely apply to applications filed from April 2027, while some income-related changes will apply retrospectively to applications submitted from April 2026.

Under the new rules, applicants will be assessed on whether their income has continuously remained above the average income of Japanese households of a comparable size.

Applicants will also face stricter requirements relating to pension contributions and their ability to support themselves financially.

The government has additionally introduced Japanese-language requirements, with applicants expected to demonstrate an ability to communicate in Japanese as part of the permanent residency screening process.

The changes build on earlier revisions to Japan’s permanent residency screening, which have placed greater emphasis on financial independence, compliance with tax and social insurance obligations and the applicant’s ability to maintain a stable life in the country.

Japan is also sharply increasing the cost of applying for permanent residency.

From October, the application fee will rise from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, according to the revised fee structure adopted by the government.

The changes come as Japan records a growing foreign population while also facing a shrinking population and labour shortages.

The government has been tightening immigration and residency rules while seeking to strengthen enforcement and promote what it describes as orderly coexistence between Japanese and foreign residents.

The revised requirements are expected to make the permanent residency process more demanding for foreign residents seeking long-term settlement in Japan.