For Your Permanent
Residency Application
Start with a simple question — “Can I apply?”
- Consultations in Japanese or English
- First consultation is free
We will reply within 3 business days.
For permanent residence applications filed on or after October 1, 2026, the fee paid when the permit is granted is now ¥200,000. We are accepting consultations and new cases.
See details
Self Check
Can I Apply for Permanent Residency Now?
There are several requirements for permanent residency.
Start by checking whether they apply to you.
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01
✓
Have you lived in Japan for 10 years or more?
In principle, you must have lived in Japan continuously for 10 years or more. Shorter periods may be accepted for spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, and in some other cases.
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02
✓
Do you abide by the law in your daily life?
You are expected to have lived responsibly, without criminal penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
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03
✓
Do you have a stable source of income or sufficient financial resources to support yourself?
You need sufficient income or assets to maintain a stable life going forward. Under the draft revision of the permanent residence guidelines, stricter standards are expected, requiring applicants to be self-supporting over the long term.
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04
✓
Are you paying your taxes, pension, and health insurance?
You must have consistently paid your taxes, pension, and health insurance premiums on time.
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05
✓
Is your current period of stay the longest available?
One of the conditions is that you currently hold the longest period of stay granted for your residence status.
There are exceptions and relaxed conditions.
If you are unsure, feel free to contact us.
Process Flow
How We Support You
From checking your eligibility to submitting your application,
an English-speaking visa specialist (gyoseishoshi) supports you every step of the way.
Free consultation
Contact us through the inquiry form. We will discuss and clarify your situation.
Eligibility check
Based on what we learn, we will determine whether you meet requirements for permanent residency.
If you decide to retain our services: Next Steps
List of required documents
We will provide you with a customized list of documents based on your circumstances and assist you in gathering them.
Preparation of application documents
We will prepare the required application forms and draft your statement of reasons.
Submission & communication with immigration
We will submit your application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Leave any follow-up inquiries and requests for additional documents to us.
Wondering “What about my case?”
Start with a consultation.
Japanese & English
First consultation free
In person or online
We will reply within 3 business days.
Fee
Fees
Your costs consist of two parts: our office’s service fee and the government fee.
From the second consultation: ¥5,000/30 minutes (free of charge if you engage us).
Estimated total for wage earners
Our fee (incl. tax)
Revenue stamp (paid when your residence card is issued after approval)
(incl. tax; applications on or after Oct 1, 2026)
If your application is not approved
We offer support for one reapplication free of charge.
Availability
We are accepting free consultations and new cases.
Why Choose Us
Why Clients Choose TSUBASA
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Visa & immigration specialists
TSUBASA is a gyoseishoshi (immigration lawyer) office specializing in residence status applications — permanent residency as well as work-based and family-related statuses.
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Bilingual support in Japanese and English
Consultations are available in English as well as Japanese.
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Based in the Greater Tokyo area
From our base in the Greater Tokyo area, we offer both in-person and online consultations.
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Representative: Nori Kitajima (Visa Counsel)
“Attentive support for your wish to become a permanent resident!”A member of Gyoseishoshi Lawyers of Tokyo / A registered agent with the Tokyo Immigration Services Bureau
From October 2026
Applying on or after October 1, 2026
From October 1, 2026, the government fee for a permanent residence application changes. The fee is payable when the permit is granted, not when you apply.
Fee payable when the permit is granted
¥200,000
approx.76,000
PR applications
52%
Approval rate
As of July 2025
292days
Average processing time
(permits granted in May 2026; Immigration Services Agency)
*Source: Immigration Control Statistics (statistical tables)
Please note
Screening can take time — in many cases, more than a year. The fee is payable only when the permit is granted, so nothing is charged if your application is denied — but starting over means waiting through the screening again.
Checking your eligibility before you apply is important.
Wondering “What about my case?”
Start with a consultation.
Japanese & English
First consultation free
In person or online
We will reply within 3 business days.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
QIs there a fee reduction or exemption?
The fee is reduced to ¥20,000 for spouses, children, etc. of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents who are in financial hardship and require humanitarian consideration. There is no fee exemption for permanent residence applications.
Read our article on the fee revision
QCan I apply if I am not working?
Yes. Even if you are financially dependent, you may be eligible for permanent residency as long as certain requirements are met.
QWhat happens if my application is denied?
If your application is denied, no application fee will be charged, and you may submit a new application. Before reapplying, it is advisable to receive an explanation of the reasons for the denial and address any issues identified. In the unlikely event that your application is denied, we offer a free reapplication service.
QHow long does the screening take?
As of May 2026, the processing time for applications is 292 days. In many cases, the review process can take more than one year. (Ref: Immigration Services Agency: 在留審査処理期間)
QWhat documents do I need?
The main documents include your residence card, certificate of residence (juminhyo), tax and tax-payment certificates, and a letter of guarantee. The exact set depends on your situation — please contact us through the inquiry form for details.
QHow can I pay?
We accept credit card, QR code payment, and bank transfer (for bank transfers, the transfer fee is payable by the client). Payment is due when we accept your case. The revenue stamp fee paid to the government is paid separately when the application is approved.
*The fees stated on this page are based on the amended cabinet order taking effect on October 1, 2026. According to the Immigration Services Agency, applications made on or before September 30, 2026 will be charged the pre-revision fee even if the permit is granted on or after October 1, 2026. For the latest information, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.
Start by telling us about your situation
“Do I meet the requirements?”
“When is the best time to apply?”
— Don’t worry about it alone. Reach out to us; your first consultation is free.
We will reply within 3 business days.