Japan government to impose tougher requirements for permanent residency

The Japanese government intends to significantly raise the eligibility criteria for permanent residency, introducing stricter financial and social requirements for foreign nationals. A source familiar with the matter revealed that new guidelines, scheduled for revision on October 1 and application from April 2027, will mandate incomes exceeding the average for Japanese households and a specific level of projected pension benefits.

These measures are part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration's push for tougher policies concerning foreign nationals, aiming to address concerns about illegal activities. Under the current system, applicants need a decade of residency, a self-sufficient livelihood, and to be deemed in Japan's "best interests." The upcoming changes will add the income and pension thresholds, with savings allowed to bridge any pension shortfall.

Furthermore, the assessment of whether an applicant's permanent residency serves Japan's "best interests" will now explicitly include Japanese language proficiency and comprehension of the nation's laws and customs. For spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents, the required marriage duration will increase from three to five years, and the minimum residency period will rise from one to three years.

As of the end of 2025, approximately 947,000 individuals held permanent residency in Japan, with significant populations from China and the Philippines. The government's move signals a more selective approach to immigration, prioritizing financial stability and cultural integration among potential permanent residents.