Permanent residence is, more or less, what is suggested by the title. A permanent resident visa entitles the holder to indefinite leave to remain in Japan. Further, there are no limitations on what sort of employment can be undertaken. Regular work visas — even the versatile and coveted Engineering/Humanities/International Studies visa — have limitations on what jobs can be done, but not so for a permanent resident.
Becoming a permanent resident is the closest that one can come to being a Japanese citizen without abandoning one’s own citizenship (as Japan does not recognize dual citizenship for those 20 years old or above). So long as you are in Japan for at least one day in every decade since acquiring this status, you have right to remain in the country.
This status can be revoked if crimes are committed, and it does not grant voting rights, but it does grant an otherwise unparalleled amount of freedom.
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How to Get Permanent Residence
The most traditional way to attain permanent residency is to be resident in Japan for at least ten years, and have an impeccable record during your time here. This means that your taxes, health insurance, and pension payments must be up-to-date, and also that your record of life in Japan be spotless: if you have a speeding ticket, you might be best asking a lawyer to help you explain it.
You can also get a permanent residency visa through marriage to a Japanese national or permanent resident, and you must have been married for three years before applying, and you must have been living in Japan for at least one year.
However, there are faster, more efficient ways to attain permanent residency, if you fit the bill.
Fast Tracking Permanent Residence
Because Japan is keen to attract and retain talent from abroad, it has instituted a point system, not dissimilar to that made famous in Australia. This means that there are a number of things that you can do if you want to attain permanent residency faster than the typical period.
According to the points system, you need 80 points or more to be eligible for attaining a permanent residency visa in as little as one year. Be warned, though, the the examination period can take up to a year in and of itself.
Age
One of the first criteria asked of is age. The younger one is, the more points. You get 15 points for applying if under 30 years old, 10 for applying between 30-34, and 5 points between 35-39. 40 and older, sadly, garner no points.
Education
While a bachelor’s degree is necessary for almost any residency visa, more advanced degrees can be extremely useful for increasing your chances of getting permanent residency more quickly. A bachelor’s degree will net you 10 points, while a master’s counts for 20 points. A professional degree, such as an MBA, is worth 25 points, while a doctorate is worth 30 points.
Salary
The next thing to consider is your earnings. Because Japan is hoping to attract talent, and under a capitalist system this is equated to how much money one earns, the higher your salary, the more points you accrue. Further, this is correlated with your age.
Therefore, the points system works thus:
| Age | Salary | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | ¥4 million – ¥5 million | 10 |
| ¥5 million – ¥6 million | 15 | |
| ¥6 million – ¥7 million | 20 | |
| ¥7 million – ¥8 million | 25 | |
| ¥8 million – ¥9 million | 30 | |
| ¥9 million – ¥10 million | 35 | |
| ¥10 million + | 40 | |
| 30-34 | ¥5 million – ¥6 million | 15 |
| ¥6 million – ¥7 million | 20 | |
| ¥7 million – ¥8 million | 25 | |
| ¥8 million – ¥9 million | 30 | |
| ¥9 million – ¥10 million | 35 | |
| ¥10 million + | 40 | |
| 35-39 | ¥6 million – ¥7 million | 20 |
| ¥7 million – ¥8 million | 25 | |
| ¥8 million – ¥9 million | 30 | |
| ¥9 million – ¥10 million | 35 | |
| ¥10 million + | 40 | |
| 40+ | ¥8 million – ¥9 million | 30 |
| ¥9 million – ¥10 million | 35 | |
| ¥10 million + | 40 |
Japanese language ability
Your ability to speak Japanese also counts towards your points total, but you will need to take and pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Passing the JLPT to N2 level nets 10 points, while passing JLPT N1 gets you 15 points.
Other
Certain other things hold point values. For example, research achievements, such as holding a patent, being an employee of an SME, or having over a decade of work experience all add points.
While the path certainly isn’t easy — there are still many hurdles to overcome, even in the best of circumstances — there are ways to get to permanent residency well in advance of the ten years of residency typically required.
