On August 4, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan released a draft revision of its guidelines for granting permanent residency.
The proposed revision clarifies the criteria for permanent residency applications and introduces new considerations, including income, Japanese language ability, and understanding of Japan’s laws and social systems. The draft is currently open for public comments and is expected to be finalized later, with implementation scheduled for April 2027.
Key Proposed Changes
The draft includes the following major proposals:
- Applicants should continuously maintain an income above the average income of Japanese households.
- Future pension benefits will also be taken into consideration.
- Applicants will be expected to demonstrate Japanese language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B1.
- Understanding of Japan’s laws and social systems will be evaluated.
- Applicants are expected to ensure that school-age children attend compulsory education.
- Greater emphasis will be placed on whether granting permanent residency is considered to be in Japan’s national interest.
Special Rules for Spouses Also Proposed for Revision
The special eligibility requirements for spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents are also expected to change.
Under the proposal, the current requirement of three years of marriage and one year of residence in Japan would be extended to five years of marriage and three years of residence in Japan.
Draft Guidelines for Revoking Permanent Resident Status
The Immigration Services Agency also released draft guidelines regarding the revocation of permanent resident status.
The draft outlines the criteria for revoking permanent resident status or changing a person’s residence status in cases such as the intentional non-payment of taxes or social insurance premiums, certain violations of the Immigration Control Act, or serious criminal offenses.
However, the guidelines also state that individuals who are unable to meet their obligations due to circumstances beyond their control—such as illness, natural disasters, or unemployment—would not be subject to these measures.
This article is based on the draft guidelines released on August 4, 2026. The contents may change following the public comment process.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
Source
Immigration Services Agency of Japan (August 4, 2026)
