Japan Tightens Permanent Residency Rules

Japan will introduce tougher permanent residency requirements, including higher income thresholds and stricter financial criteria, as the government moves to tighten immigration policies.

Under revised guidelines set to take effect on 1 October, applicants will be required to earn more than the average Japanese household income and demonstrate projected pension benefits equivalent to 30 years of contributions under the employees' pension scheme. 

Those falling short will be allowed to use savings and other assets to meet the financial requirement.

The new rules will also place greater emphasis on applicants' Japanese language proficiency and understanding of the country's laws and social norms when assessing whether permanent residency is in Japan's national interest.

Spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents will face stricter eligibility rules, with the minimum marriage requirement increasing from three to five years and the residency requirement rising from one to three years.

The changes form part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's broader immigration agenda, which includes tougher naturalization requirements, a planned online pre-arrival travel authorization system for visa-exempt visitors and higher residence status application fees for foreign nationals.