# Behind on pension in Japan? What to do before your visa renewal

URL: https://japanhow.com/money/pension/behind-on-pension-before-visa-renewal-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Nov 3, 2026

## Summary

As of November 2026, the government plans to refuse residence-status renewals for foreign residents with unpaid pension or health insurance premiums, from 2027. If you cannot pay the National Pension (¥17,920 a month in FY2026), you can apply at your city office for exemption, deferral or, for students, the Student Special Payment System. Applications can cover up to 2 years back, and exempted months can be repaid within 10 years. Do this before your renewal, not after.

## Key facts

- Monthly premium FY2026: ¥17,920
- Apply back up to: 2 years
- Repay exempted months within: 10 years
- Where to apply: City or ward office

If you owe National Pension months, apply for an exemption or deferral at your city office **before your next renewal**. It can cover up to **2 years** back, and exempted months can be repaid within **10 years**. The government plans to check pension and health insurance payments in renewal screening from 2027.

## Why this matters now

In November 2025 the health minister announced that the government plans to refuse, in principle, changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who have not paid national pension or national health insurance premiums. Reports place the start in 2027. We have not seen the final rules, and they may include exceptions. The safe approach is to bring your record up to date before your next renewal. See our [news brief](/news/unpaid-insurance-visa-renewal-2027/) for the latest.

## Step 1: Find out what you owe

Check your pension notices and your ward office (区役所) record. If you are an employee, your employer normally pays both halves into the Employees' Pension, so there is nothing for you to chase. The National Pension is for self-employed people, students, and people between jobs. Our [pension guide](/money/pension/japan-pension-foreigners/) explains who is in which scheme.

## Step 2: If you cannot pay, apply for exemption or deferral

The Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) describes two routes. Apply at your city, ward or town office, or a Pension Office. Forms can be filled in languages other than Japanese, and you need your residence card or My Number card.

| Route | Who | Income judged on | Apply window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Special Payment (学生納付特例) | Most students, including night and correspondence courses | Your own income in Japan last year | April to the next March, every year |
| Exemption or deferral (保険料免除・納付猶予) | People who cannot pay | Your and your family's income in Japan last year | July to the next June |

Non-students can get a full exemption or deferral (¥0 a month), or a partial exemption where you still pay part of the ¥17,920: ¥4,480 under 3/4 exemption, ¥8,960 under 1/2 and ¥13,440 under 1/4 (April 2026 to March 2027). Full exemption and deferral holders do not need to reapply each year, except in certain unemployment cases. Partial exemptions must be renewed yearly.

## Step 3: Use the look-back, and know its limit

Both routes can be applied for up to **2 years** back. An application in July 2026 can cover June 2024 onward. Months older than that can no longer be covered by an exemption, so do not wait.

## Step 4: Repay later if you can (追納)

Exempted and deferred months can be paid back within **10 years** (追納). The Japan Pension Service says student special payment months are not reflected in your pension amount, and that exempted and deferred periods count toward the qualifying period and the disability basic pension. Its page does not say how the amount is affected for other exempted months, so ask the office before you decide.

## What exemption does not solve

Not applying and not paying can mean losing the disability basic pension, according to the Japan Pension Service. Exemption also does not clear months you simply skipped more than 2 years ago.

## What to check

Keep your exemption approval letters, as they are your proof if immigration asks. Unpaid pension also counts against [permanent residency](/visa/residency/permanent-residency-japan-requirements/) applications. If you plan to apply or renew soon, ask an administrative scrivener (行政書士) how your record will be read. This is information, not individual advice.

## Questions people ask

### Can I be refused a visa renewal in Japan for unpaid pension?

The government has said it plans to refuse renewals and changes of residence status, in principle, for foreign residents with unpaid national pension or national health insurance premiums, from 2027. The details have not been published in the sources we checked, so act now rather than wait.

### Does an exempted month count as unpaid?

We have not found an Immigration Services Agency statement on how exempted months are treated in renewal screening. The Japan Pension Service says exempted and deferred periods count toward the qualifying period. Ask your city office or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) about your case.

### How far back can I apply for an exemption?

The Japan Pension Service says up to 2 years. For example, an application in July 2026 can cover months from June 2024. Older unpaid months cannot be fixed with an exemption.

## Sources

- [永住者の在留資格の取消しに関するガイドライン (full text)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00118.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- [外国人の皆さんへ 国民年金保険料の免除等制度の案内](https://www.nenkin.go.jp/tokusetsu/English/gaikoku-kokumen.html), Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- [Japan To Deny Foreigners Visa Renewal if Pension & Health Insurance Are Unpaid](https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/japan-visa-denial-unpaid-insurance-pension-2027/), Tokyo Weekender (accessed Nov 3, 2026)