What requirements do you have to fullfill to obtain a permanent
resident visa?
There are five main conditions:
1. You have lived in Japan for more than ten consecutive years.
2. You have worked continuously in Japan for more than five years on a working visa.
3. You have had a stable income for the last fi ve years.
4. You have been paying into a pension scheme and have been covered by a health insurance plan
for the last five years.
5. You have a guarantor. If you are married to a Japanese national, conditions (1), (2) and (3) are relaxed. In
addition, with the highly skilled professional visa, it is possible to obtain a permanent resident visa in as little as two years after starting to live in Japan.
How long does it take from the time I apply for a permanent resident visa to hearing the result of my application?
Usually, it takes about a year. If you are married to a Japanese person or have a high-level professional visa, your application may be approved in about six months.
Which is more difficult, obtaining a permanent resident visa or applying for naturalization?
This depends on applicant’s circumstances. An application for naturalization involves a spoken and written test in Japanese.
On the other hand, Japanese language pro ciency is not a factor in the examination for a permanent resident visa. Therefore, if you are not good at Japanese, it would be easier to get a permanent resident visa. It is possible to apply for both at the same time.