Permission for permanent residence is granted only when a foreign national
with a residential status wishes to change it to permanent resident
and the Minister of Justice of Japan considers that his(her) conditions of
staying is suitable for the status. So this is one of applications for change
of residential statuses.

Obtaining permission for permanent residence, the foreign national has
no restriction in selecting jobs and in the period of stay. However,
it is necessary to obtain re-entry permission for re-entry after leaving Japan
temporarily, even after the foreign nationals has obtained the permission
for permanent residence.

The requirements for the permission are stipulated in Article 22
of the Immigration Cotrol Act. However, there are detailed criteria, such as
"General Principle" and others, which are shown in the following:

■Criteria for Permanent Residence Permission

1.A Spouse or a child of Japanese, permanent resident(s) or specific
permanent resident(s) ?

●If "No" in Item 1.

(1) Being a good citizen (e.g. paying taxes, no record on criminal cases, etc.).

(2) Having acquired skills or assets to make a living independently.

●If "Yes" in Item2.

Not necessary to fulfill the conditions of (1) and (2) above.

↓

2.Only when the Minister of Justice approves that the permanent residence
of the applicant will be able to meet the benefit of Japan, the application
for permanent residence will be approved (at the discretion of the Minister of Justice).


●It is understood that there is a general principle and others in the discretion.

The following requirements are considered to be fulfilled:

(1) Having lived in Japan for more than 10 years continuously.

(2) For a Spouse or a child (including specific adopted childs) of Japanese,
permanent resident(s) or specific permanent resident(s):

●Spouse → Having lived in Japan for three years or more continuously after the marriage. If the marriage was taken place abroad and the married couple
has some period of living together, at least three years have elapsed and the couple has lived in Japan for one year or more continuously.
.

●Child → Having lived in Japan for one year or more continuously.

(3) For the people approved by Japan Government as "refugee", having lived
in Japan for five years or more continuously is required.

(4) For "long-term-resident refugees from Indo-China", having lived in Japan for five years or more continuously is required.

(5) For the people with a status of "long-term resident", having lived in Japan for five years or more continuously after the permission of "long-term
resident".

(6) For the people who can be considered that he(she) has made contributions on diplomacy, social activities, education, culture, etc. to Japan, having lived in Japan for 5 years or more continuously.

(7) Staying with a residential status of the longest period stipulated
in the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations (e.g. 3 years
for Specialist in Humanities/International Services).

(8) In no harmful conditions in health, seeing from public health.

↓

4.Total Judgement on the conditions of staying by the Minister of Justice

↓

5.Permission