Japan has tightened requirements for foreigners seeking permanent resident status. The changes affect visa validity periods and impact anyone planning to stay in the country for a long time. Learn more about the new rules for obtaining permanent residence in Japan and the transition period for work visa holders

Japan has updated its requirements for foreign citizens to obtain permanent resident status. The changes concern the validity period of the visa that the applicant must have at the time of submitting the documents. In fact, the bar for obtaining permanent residence has been raised — now you need to have a visa with the maximum possible period of stay for the relevant category.

Who is affected by the new rules, what is the transition period, and what needs to be taken into account — we will tell you more in this article.

Are you planning to obtain permanent residence in Japan or another country?

Order an immigration guide from Visit World — in a convenient PDF format, you will receive step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a residence permit, a list of required documents, and current requirements for applicants.

Requirements for the maximum visa duration for applicants for permanent residence in Japan

The main change is that applicants for permanent residence are now required to have a visa with the longest permitted duration of stay in their visa category. Previously, foreign residents could apply with a three-year visa, and that was sufficient. The Japanese authorities have revised this approach, and from now on, a five-year stay is required for most work visas.

In practice, this means that the immigration service will check whether the applicant has obtained the maximum possible visa validity period before considering the application. In other words, the mere fact of legal residence in the country for several years is no longer sufficient — it is necessary to confirm that the Japanese side has already granted the foreigner the highest level of trust within the framework of their visa status. The rule is effective from the moment it comes into force and applies to all new applications.

How to obtain a residence permit in Japan— explained here.

Transition period until March 31, 2027: who is affected?

For those who are already in Japan on a three-year work visa, a preferential transition period is provided. It will last until March 31, 2027. During this time, immigration authorities will continue to accept applications for permanent residence from three-year visa holders and will count this period as the maximum.

This allows foreign workers who already meet other criteria for permanent residence to take advantage of the current conditions and submit their documents without first having to obtain a five-year visa. After the transition period ends, i.e., from April 2027, the five-year visa requirement will come into full effect. Therefore, residents with three-year status should plan their application in advance to take advantage of this window of opportunity.

Compliance with current visa conditions as a prerequisite

The Japanese government has also emphasized that every applicant for permanent residence must meet all the conditions of their current visa status at the time of application. This includes ensuring that their professional activities are permitted under their visa specialization, maintaining legal residence in Japan, and fulfilling all immigration obligations specified for their particular visa type.

Violation of any of these conditions may be grounds for denial of permanent resident status. Even with a visa with the maximum period of stay, the applicant risks being refused if, for example, they have changed their field of activity without updating their visa status accordingly. Therefore, before submitting an application, it is advisable to conduct a full check of your documentation and compliance with all applicable requirements.

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What do the changes mean for foreign workers in Japan?

The updated rules signal Japan's desire to see candidates for permanent residence who have proven long-term stability and strong ties to the country. Obtaining a five-year visa is a kind of indicator that a foreigner has already gone through several cycles of extending their stay, has a stable job, and a positive immigration history.

For those who plan to stay in Japan on a permanent basis, it is now critical to keep track of the validity period of their visa in advance and apply for its extension in a timely manner with the maximum possible term. The two-year transition period provides some leeway, but strategic planning of visa status is becoming an integral part of the path to permanent residence in the country.

About visas for highly skilled professionals in Japan (HSP) — read here.

Immigration guide from Visit World: step-by-step assistance with permanent residence registration

The procedure for obtaining a permanent residence permit in each country has its own characteristics, requirements, and nuances. Japan is a striking example of how rules can change, and without up-to-date information, it is easy to make a mistake when submitting documents. The Visit World portal offers an immigration guide — a convenient PDF manual that is sent to your email in a matter of minutes and contains step-by-step instructions for obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit, a complete list of required documents, the cost of processing and the terms of consideration of the application, as well as practical advice for moving.

Order the immigration guide from Visit World to have all the necessary information at hand for legal relocation and obtaining residence status in your chosen country!

Reminder! From July 2026, Japan will triple its departure tax to 3,000 yen and is preparing new tourist fees, including the JESTA system.

Photo: iStock

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