This blog post organizes the contents of the Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits, which were revised on February 24, 2026, so that those who are actually preparing to apply can quickly understand them.
Main Points of the Revision of the Guidelines for Permanent Residency Screening
- The point that even if the payment itself has been made, "as a rule, a negative evaluation is made if the payment is not made on time" regarding the fulfillment of public obligations.
- The point that the status of fulfillment of notification obligations under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is clearly stated.
- The requirement for the period of stay for the status of residence held at the time of application will be changed to "5 years" (with transitional measures).
Common Screening Requirements
The most important point in this revision that should be checked with the greatest care in practice is the wording regarding "performance of official obligations.
- payment of taxes
- public pension contribution
- public health insurance premium
- Notification obligations under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (e.g., notification of change of organizational affiliation, notification of change of address, and other applicable notifications)
The revised guidelines then clearly include the following language to the effect that
Even if payment is completed at the time of application, if the payment is not fulfilled within the original due date, the evaluation will be negative in principle.
In other words, it is not enough to say "I have now paid everything"; the actual point of examination is whether the payment was made on time.
Period of stay held at the time of application for permanent residence
However, after March 31, 2027, it will no longer be possible to apply for permanent residence unless the applicant has held the visa for five years.
However, until March 31, 2027, a transitional measure will be implemented to treat "3 years" as the maximum period of stay.
However, during this period, "3 years" is treated as the maximum period of time, and is limited to one opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
In particular, those who have been in Japan for three years on their current residence card should always consider the timing of their application.
You should review your situation and consider applying for permanent residence by March 31, 2027 if you are unlikely to receive a 5-year period of stay at your next renewal.
Before and After Revision Comparison Table
| (data) item | Before revision | Details of this revision (February 24, 2026) | Practical points and explanations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment of official obligations | Payment of tax, public pension, and public medical insurance premiums are major screening criteria | In addition to tax payments, public pensions, and public medical insurance premiums, the Immigration Law also specifies notification requirements. | In addition to the conventional payment of taxes, etc., the fulfillment of various notification obligations to the Immigration Bureau has been clearly stipulated as an examination criterion. |
| Assessment of Postpayment of Taxes, etc. | Somewhat unclear criteria for reviewing overdue payments | Even if payment has been made in full at the time of application, if payment is not made within the original due date, the evaluation will be negative (negative evaluation) in principle. | It is important to note that not only whether the payment has been made in full, but also the payment history (whether the payment was made on time) is checked. |
| Requirements for Maximum Period of Stay | In practice, a holder of a status of residence for 3 years can also apply. | Until March 31, 2027, 3 years of current period of stay is acceptable (one time only); after March 31, 2027, 5 years of current period of stay is required. | After March 31, 2027, you will not be able to apply for permanent residence unless you have held a 5-year period of stay. |
The "Before Revision" in the above comparison table is organized based on the examination points widely known in practice and the previous guideline structure. Actual examination operations may differ depending on individual circumstances.
summary
This revision of the guidelines dated February 24, 2026 can be said to be a revision that more clearly organizes the points that are actually looked at in the examination process.
Particularly important are the language regarding "performance of official duties" and the treatment of "period of stay.
The points to be prepared for permanent residence application differ for each status of residence.
Therefore, it is very important to first sort out exactly which application route you fall under (general employment, spouse of Japanese national, permanent resident, special exception for highly skilled workers, etc.) and prepare your documents according to that route.
It can be difficult to apply for permanent residence on your own because there are many documents to be prepared and many points to be checked.
If you need assistance, please feel free to contact Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office.
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Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Attn: Gyoseishoshi Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi
Affiliation: Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association, Shinjuku Branch
Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
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