Japan · Permanent Residence
Japan Permanent Residency for Founders
Founders reach permanent residence in Japan either through the Highly Skilled Professional points system, after one or three years, or through the general route that normally needs ten years of residence. Fees and guidelines changed during 2026.
- Startup route
- Startup Visa (Designated Activities)
- Minimum capital
- About JPY 30 million to qualify as Business Manager
- Permanent residence
- 1 or 3 years via HSP points; 10 years otherwise
- Citizenship
- 5 years by law; 10 in principle since April 2026
Permanent Resident via Highly Skilled Professional points
Founders who qualify as Highly Skilled Professionals can apply for permanent residence far sooner than the general ten-year norm. Under the agency's permanent residence guidelines, a person who has held 70 points or more for three years, or who scored 70 points three years before applying and has lived in Japan continuously at that level since, can apply. At 80 points the period drops to one year. Holders of special highly skilled status under J-Skip can also apply after one year. Applicants must still meet the legal tests of good conduct, independent livelihood and national interest, and must have kept up tax and social insurance payments. The planned B1 Japanese criterion does not apply to HSP applicants or their family members.
- At 70 points
- 3 years of continuous residence at that level
- At 80 points
- 1 year of continuous residence at that level
- J-Skip holders
- 1 year in Special Highly Skilled Professional status
- Application fee
- JPY 200,000 at a counter (from 1 October 2026)
- Japanese test
- B1 criterion does not apply to HSP applicants and family
- Family
- Shortened periods are described for the HSP holder only
Requirements
- Hold 70 points or more for three years, or 80 points or more for one year, before applying.
- Show good conduct and lawful living in Japan.
- Show assets or skills sufficient for an independent livelihood.
- Have no unpaid national or local taxes, pension contributions or health insurance premiums.
- Hold the maximum period of stay available for the current status, subject to the agency's transitional rules.
How to apply
- Recalculate the points score for the qualifying period and gather evidence for each item.
- Collect tax, pension and health insurance payment records for the household.
- File the permanent residence application at the regional immigration bureau and pay the fee.
- Keep the current status valid by renewing it if the decision is still pending.
Permanent Resident (general route)
Founders without enough points follow the general route. The guidelines generally require at least ten consecutive years of residence in Japan, including at least five consecutive years in a work-qualifying or residence-qualifying status, and the applicant must hold the maximum period of stay for the current status. A single absence of six months or more, or two and a half years in total within the ten years, generally weighs against approval. Revised guidelines published on 1 October 2026 apply to applications filed from 1 April 2027. They assess household income against the average for Japanese households of the same size, weigh Japanese at around B1 level, and look at understanding of local rules and children's school attendance.
- Residence
- Generally 10 years, including 5 years in a work status
- Absences
- One of 6 months+, or 2.5 years in total, weighs against
- Period of stay
- Must hold the maximum period for the current status
- Application fee
- JPY 200,000 at a counter; JPY 10,000 if filed by 30 Sep 2026
- Revised guidelines
- Apply to applications filed from 1 April 2027
- Language (2027)
- Japanese at about B1 weighed, with exemptions
Requirements
- Live in Japan for at least ten consecutive years, five of them in a work or residence status.
- Hold the longest period of stay available for the current status of residence.
- Keep household income in line with the average for a Japanese household of the same size, under the revised guidelines.
- Pay all taxes, pension contributions and health insurance premiums; past delinquency also weighs against approval.
- For applications from April 2027, show Japanese at around B1 level unless exempt.
How to apply
- Check the residence history for long absences and confirm the current period of stay is the maximum.
- Gather several years of tax, pension and insurance records for the household.
- File at the regional immigration bureau and pay the JPY 200,000 fee.
- Wait for the decision while keeping the current status renewed.
The 2026 permanent residence changes in context
Japan made permanent residence more expensive and more demanding during 2026. The counter fee for a permanent residence permit rose from JPY 10,000 to JPY 200,000 for applications received from 1 October 2026, with a reduced JPY 20,000 fee only for spouses or children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents. On the same date the Immigration Services Agency published revised permanent residence guidelines and new guidelines on the cancellation of permanent resident status, following a public comment process in August 2026.
The revised permanent residence guidelines take effect for applications filed from 1 April 2027, the same day an amendment to the Immigration Control Act adds compliance with immigration obligations and payment of taxes and public premiums to the statutory test. The agency describes this as codifying how applications were already assessed. For founders, the practical points are household income measured against the national average, a pension projection compared with a benchmark, and the B1 Japanese criterion, from which Highly Skilled Professional applicants and their families are exempt.
Questions and answers
How much does a permanent residence application cost in Japan now?
For applications received from 1 October 2026, the counter fee is JPY 200,000, paid with revenue stamps. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents may qualify for a reduced JPY 20,000 fee at the counter. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the previous JPY 10,000.
Does the B1 Japanese criterion apply to Highly Skilled Professional founders?
No. The revised guidelines exempt Highly Skilled Professional applicants and their family members from the B1 Japanese criterion. It also does not apply to people who completed six or more years of Japanese primary or secondary schooling, or to certain children of permanent residents born in Japan.
Do family members of an HSP founder get permanent residence on the same timeline?
The agency describes the shortened one-year and three-year periods for the Highly Skilled Professional holder. Spouses and children follow the special rules for family of permanent residents or the general guidelines, so their eligibility should be checked separately before the family plans its applications.
What absences from Japan can hurt a permanent residence application?
Under the guidelines, a single absence of six months or more without a reasonable reason, or absences totaling two years and six months or more within the ten years before applying, generally weigh against approval on the general route. Founders who travel often for business should track days abroad carefully.
Official sources
- 永住許可に関するガイドライン（令和8年10月1日改定）www.moj.go.jp
- どのような優遇措置が受けられる？www.moj.go.jp
- 令和８年１０月１日付け在留許可手数料の額の改定等についてwww.moj.go.jp
- 令和８年１０月１日以降における在留許可手数料の減額措置又は免除措置についてwww.moj.go.jp
- 2026年 更新情報一覧ページwww.moj.go.jp
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Japan.
Startup visa
Designated Activities for up to 2 years under a METI-certified organization
02Temporary residence
Business Manager: JPY 30 million, one full-time hire, Japanese ability
03Permanent residence
1 or 3 years with HSP points; generally 10 years of residence otherwise
04Citizenship
Nationality Act sets 5 years; ministry requires 10 in principle since 2026