ISA publishes guideline on revoking permanent residency, in force from April 2027

What was published

The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) published a guideline on revoking permanent resident (永住者) status under the 2024 amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Article 22-4(1), items 8 and 9). It goes into operation on April 1, 2027. Public comments ran from August 4 to September 3, 2026.

The grounds, as the guideline states them

• Deliberate non-payment of public charges (公租公課): taxes and social insurance premiums, including not filing when filing is required. “Deliberate” means you know you owe it and clearly do not intend to pay. The ISA looks at income and assets, the number, size and length of arrears, and your conduct. Examples given: ignoring reminders, repeatedly breaking instalment promises, hiding assets, or a tax-evasion conviction.
• Not a ground: illness, disaster or job loss, or having an agreed instalment or deferral plan.
• Failing immigration duties (for example carrying your residence card, or renewal and reissue applications). One lapse is not expected to lead to revocation.
• Prison sentence for listed intentional crimes such as theft, fraud or assault. A suspended sentence counts.

What happens next

The default is not removal: the ISA changes the status ex officio to a status such as 定住者, unless it finds that staying in Japan is not appropriate. Government officials may report suspected cases, and an immigration officer hears from the person before the Minister of Justice decides. Circumstances before the amendment took effect do not by themselves lead to revocation.

What to check

Keep receipts for tax, pension and health insurance, and agree an instalment plan with your ward office (区役所) if you fall behind. If you receive a notice from immigration, speak to an administrative scrivener (行政書士) or lawyer promptly. This summarizes the ISA text and is not individual advice.