Japan tightens permanent residency rules: income test, pension check, longer spouse route
ISA revised its permanent residency guideline on Oct 1, 2026: income above the Japanese household average, a pension test and a longer spouse route.
Short answer
On October 1, 2026 Japan's Immigration Services Agency revised its permanent residency guideline. Applicants must show household income above the Japanese average and projected pension benefits equal to 30 years of employees' pension, with a Japanese-language factor. It applies in full from April 2027, and the income test also reaches applications filed from April 2026.
Reported by The Star (Kyodo News), Oct 1, 2026
“Japan Toughens Guidelines for Granting Permanent Residency”
What changed
According to Kyodo News, the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) revised its permanent residency (永住) guideline on October 1, 2026:
- Income: applicants must earn more than the average Japanese household. Kyodo puts that average at about ¥5.75 million for 2024.
- Pension: projected pension benefits must match what 30 years of employees’ pension enrolment would pay, based on your income at the time of applying.
- Japanese: a language-ability factor now applies. AFP describes it as being able to hold casual conversations.
- Spouses of Japanese nationals or PR holders: the route moves from 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence to 5 years and 3 years.
- Everyone else: in principle, more than 10 years in Japan.
Who is affected, and when
The revised guideline takes effect in April 2027. Kyodo reports that the income test also applies to applications filed from April 2026. AFP says the changes should not force current residents to leave. The application fee also rose to ¥200,000 on October 1.
What to check
Compare your household income, pension record and language level with the figures above before you file. Our guide explains the tests in more detail and was written from the ISA guideline. For your own case, ask an administrative scrivener (行政書士).
Facts checked against the sources below on Nov 2, 2026. Rules can change: confirm with the Immigration Services Agency or your city office before acting.
Sources
- Japan Toughens Guidelines for Granting Permanent Residency, The Star (Kyodo News) (accessed Nov 2, 2026)
- Japan tightens rules for foreigners wanting permanent residency, France 24 (AFP) (accessed Nov 2, 2026)