[Permanent residence permission] Changes in permission rate, cases of denial, and measures to avoid denial
- 行政書士 日下 雄一朗
- May 27
- 9 min read
We believe that trends in permanent residence applications are of great interest to foreign residents in Japan who are seeking to obtain permanent residency in Japan. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation based on expert knowledge on the trends in the approval rate for permanent residence applications in recent years, the main reasons for denials, specific countermeasures, and points to keep in mind in order to improve the approval rate.
table of contents
Changes in approval rate for permanent residence applications
Overall trends seen from recent data
Permit rates by immigration bureau
Main reasons for not being able to obtain permanent residence permission and examples of denial
Analysis of specific denial cases
Recent stricter screening and its background
Specific measures to avoid denials and increase approval rates
The importance of preparation and self-examination before application
Specific efforts to meet legal requirements
1. Current status of permanent residence application
Permanent residency (permanent resident status) offers great benefits for building a long-term stable life in Japan, such as eliminating the need to renew the period of stay and increasing social credibility. However, the screening process is not necessarily easy, and applicants must meet certain requirements and make appropriate preparations for their application based on their individual circumstances.
In recent years, the environment surrounding permanent residence applications has changed significantly, with an increase in the number of applicants, changes in social conditions, and modifications to the screening process, and it is important to pay close attention to these trends.
2. Changes in approval rate for permanent residence applications
We believe that the approval rate for permanent residence applications is one of the indicators that applicants are most concerned about. Let's take a look at recent trends based on data extracted and compiled from " Immigration Control Statistics: Immigration Inspection, Residence Status Inspection, Deportation Procedures, etc. (e-start) ."
Overall trends seen from recent data
According to the " Immigration Control Statistics: Immigration Inspection, Residence Status Inspection, Deportation Procedures, etc. (e-start) ", the approval rate for permanent residence applications has been changing as follows:
year | Number of completed cases | Number of permits | Number of rejections | Permission rate |
2021 | 64,149 items | 36,691 items | 25,451 items | Approximately 57.6% |
2022 | 58,927 items | 37,992 items | 19,148 items | Approximately 64.4% |
2023 | 50,986 items | 33,470 items | 15,832 items | Approximately 65.6% |
The approval rate for permanent residence permits has been increasing year by year, and initial projections for 2024 predict a further increase. However, even with this upward trend, the approval rate is still less than 70%, so it is still necessary to make careful preparations and take measures when applying.
Permit rates by immigration bureau
The approval rate may vary depending on the regional immigration bureau that has jurisdiction over the application. For example, according to the " Immigration Statistics: Immigration Inspection, Status of Residence Inspection, Deportation Procedures, etc. (e-start) ," the approval rate in the Tokyo Immigration Bureau in 2023 was approximately 71.1%, higher than the national average (approximately 65.6%), while the approval rate in the Nagoya Immigration Bureau in the same year was approximately 59.0%, lower than the national average, showing that there are differences between jurisdictions.
3. Main reasons for not being able to obtain permanent residence permission and examples of denial
Analysis of specific denial cases
There are several trends in cases where permanent residence applications are denied, but the main reason is that the requirements outlined in the "Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission" published by the Ministry of Justice are not met.
Below, we look at the main reasons cited in actual cases of denial.
Tax status issues (non-payment, late payment, missed tax return):
There was a period when resident tax was unpaid.
I was once told by the tax office that I had not filed an income tax return.
There was a history of paying taxes well past the due date on multiple occasions.
Issues with enrollment and payment status for public pension and medical insurance:
There was a period when you were not enrolled in the National Pension System.
I had neglected to pay my national health insurance premiums for a long period of time.
I am an employee, but there was a period when my company was delayed in enrolling me in social insurance (which may result in it being considered my own fault).
Income instability and low level:
There were years when the annual income was below the amount considered to be the benchmark for independent livelihood requirements.
It was determined that he had changed jobs frequently and that his income was not stable.
As a self-employed person, his income was judged to fluctuate greatly and lack stability.
Traffic violations/criminal history:
He had committed multiple traffic violations (speeding, parking violations, etc.) within the past five years and was determined to be in violation of the requirements for good conduct.
Have received criminal punishment greater than a fine.
Incomplete or inconsistent documents submitted:
The necessary documents were missing.
There were suspicions of inconsistencies and falsehoods in the documents submitted.
The translation was not very accurate and the content was not conveyed accurately.
Long-term overseas travel history:
The individual has been away from the country for more than three months at a time, or for a total of more than 100 days per year, and is deemed to have an unstable foundation for life in Japan (there is no clear standard for the number of days, but it should be used as a guideline).
Reference issues:
The guarantor was not a Japanese national or a permanent resident.
There were problems with the guarantor's income or tax status.
These cases show that when applying for permanent residence, it is important to accurately understand the legal requirements, objectively evaluate your own situation, and proceed with preparations with the utmost care.
Recent stricter screening and its background
Since the 2019 revision of the "Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission," it is said that screening has become stricter, especially regarding the fulfillment of public obligations (tax payment, pension and medical insurance contributions). This is thought to be because, as permanent residents, they will become members of Japanese society, and so there is now more emphasis on people who properly fulfill their public responsibilities, including contributing to the social security system.
It has also been suggested that the trend in the number of applications is increasing, which may be leading to longer and more careful review periods.
4. Specific measures to avoid rejections and increase approval rates
In order to avoid your application for permanent residence being rejected and to increase the chances of your application being approved, careful and careful preparation and measures in advance are essential.
The importance of preparation and self-examination before application
First, before applying, it is important to carefully read the Ministry of Justice's "Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission" and accurately understand the requirements. Then, you need to objectively check whether your situation meets these requirements.
Residency history:
We will accurately confirm your residence history from the time you arrived in Japan to the present, and check whether you meet the requirements for 10 years (or special period) of continuous residence in principle, or 5 years or more of continuous residence with work status, etc.
Income Status:
We will obtain tax certificates and tax payment certificates for the past 3 to 5 years and check whether your annual income meets the criteria for independent livelihood and is stable.
Tax Status:
Obtain tax certificates for income tax, resident tax, etc. for the past five years and check whether you have any outstanding or overdue payments and whether you have paid them within the due date.
Pension and medical insurance:
Prepare documents showing your pension and medical insurance enrollment and payment status for the past two years (regular pension mailings, National Pension Insurance Premium Receipt, copy of health insurance card, National Health Insurance Premium Payment Certificate, etc.) and check for any periods of non-payment, arrears, or non-enrollment.
Traffic violations/criminal history:
In addition to relying on your own memory, we will obtain driving record certificates and other documents to determine the exact situation.
Number of days before departure:
Check your passport entry and exit records to see if you have been out of the country for an extended period of time.
If you find any concerns during this self-inspection, we strongly recommend that you do not apply immediately, but rather allow time for you to resolve the issues or consult with a professional administrative scrivener.
Specific efforts to meet legal requirements
Securing and proving a stable income:
It is preferable that you have continuous employment as a full-time employee, but even if you are a contract or temporary employee, there is a possibility that you may be eligible as long as you can demonstrate stable income and continuity of your employment contract.
If you are a sole proprietor, you will need to provide specific details about the stability and future prospects of your business in your tax return and business plan.
Since it is determined based on household income, it is important to take into account your spouse's income as well.
Proper performance of tax payment, public pension and medical insurance:
We will ensure that all taxes, pension insurance premiums, and medical insurance premiums are paid by the due date. If you have not paid or have been in arrears in the past, it is important that you resolve the issue as soon as possible and then continue to maintain a good record of payment for a certain period of time.
It is also advisable for company employees to check whether social insurance premiums are being properly deducted from their pay slips and tax withholding slips, and whether their company is properly handling the payment procedures.
Traffic violations and legal compliance:
In your daily life, you should abide by traffic rules and try to avoid even minor violations. If you do commit a violation, you must take action such as paying the fine promptly.
To avoid other violations of laws and regulations (such as engaging in activities outside the scope of your status of residence), you must correctly understand and comply with the scope of activities permitted by your status of residence.
Continuity and stability of residence status:
Frequent job changes or long periods of unemployment may raise doubts about the stability of your residence.
In order to show that you have established a life base in Japan, you should avoid leaving Japan for long periods of time unnecessarily. If you need to leave the country, it is advisable to be able to provide a reasonable explanation for the reason and duration.
Accuracy and completeness of submitted documents:
You should check the latest list of required documents on the Ministry of Justice website and make sure you collect all of them.
Documents are created and checked with the utmost care to ensure there are no errors or inconsistencies in the content, and documents in languages other than Japanese are accompanied by Japanese translations by an official institution or a reliable translator.
It is also a good idea to submit supplementary documents as necessary to help the examiner accurately understand your situation.
Selection and request of guarantors:
A guarantor must be a Japanese national or permanent resident who has a stable income and is properly fulfilling public duties. In addition to signing and stamping the guarantee, the guarantor will also be required to submit a resident card, income certificate, tax payment certificate, etc. It is important to request the guarantor in advance and ask for the necessary cooperation.
Importance of the statement of reasons for application and what to include:
The application statement, which specifically describes the reason for seeking permanent residence, your living situation in Japan thus far, and your future contributions to Japan, is a very important document in the screening process. It is required to be written honestly in your own words, not using standardized content. It is a good idea to include specific anecdotes that show your settling into Japanese society and your intention to contribute.
Responding to changing screening criteria:
The screening criteria and procedures for permanent residence permits may be revised in response to changes in social conditions, etc. It is necessary to always collect the latest information and take appropriate measures.
5. Summary
Applying for permanent residence in Japan is not an impossible procedure if you meet certain conditions and make the appropriate preparations. However, in light of recent trends in screening, you should pay more attention to matters such as fulfilling public duties and having a stable income.
We hope that you will be fully prepared to apply by referring to the trends in approval rates, reasons why approval is likely to be denied, and specific countermeasures explained in this article. If you are unsure about applying on your own or would like to be more certain of receiving approval, we strongly recommend that you consult with an administrative scrivener, who is an expert.
At Chogo Administrative Scrivener's Office, we provide optimal support tailored to the circumstances of each individual client, based on our extensive experience and track record in permanent residence permit applications. The first consultation is free, so please feel free to contact us.
reference:
Ministry of Justice (Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html )
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (check with e-Gov Law Search:
e-start (Immigration Control Statistics: Immigration Inspection, Residence Status Inspection, Deportation Procedures, etc.)
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