Japan (JP)
Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.
Capital: Tokyo
Region: Asia
Language: Japanese
Currency: JPY (¥)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Japan.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Permanent Residency (Eijūsha)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have lived legally in Japan for the required duration, have good conduct, have sufficient means to support themselves, and meet the criteria of the Minister of Justice.
Duration
Standard route: 10 years of continuous legal residence, including 5 years on a work/investor visa. Expedited routes: HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) — 3 years with 70+ points; 1 year with 80+ points. Spouse of Japanese national or PR holder: 1 year of marriage AND 3 years of continuous legal residence, OR 3 years of continuous legal residence as a spouse. Spouse of Japanese national: can also qualify with 3 years of residence as spouse if married within Japan. Entrepreneur/investor: typically 10 years but may qualify faster with significant investment and employment creation.
Requirements
- ✓Continuous legal residence for the required period (absences may affect continuity — typically must not exceed 100 days per year for PR application purposes)
- ✓Good conduct — no criminal record, no immigration violations
- ✓Financial self-sufficiency — stable income (generally ¥3M+/year) or dependence on financially sufficient family member
- ✓Compliance with public duties — National Pension, taxes, NHI must be fully paid and up to date
- ✓Passport, all previous residence cards, and documentation of entire residence history in Japan
- ✓Employment certificate or proof of income
- ✓Tax clearance certificate (納税証明書) for recent years
- ✓Pension payment confirmation (from Japan Pension Service)
- ✓Two Japanese guarantors (身元保証人) who are PR holders or Japanese nationals
PR in Japan does not expire — once granted, you hold it indefinitely as long as you reside in Japan. However, the Residence Card must be renewed every 7 years. Leaving Japan for more than 1 year may result in PR being revoked (a re-entry permit, 再入国許可, should be obtained before long absences). PR does NOT give the right to vote or hold public office. PR holders can bring family members as dependants.
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Citizenship
Name
Japanese Citizenship (Naturalization / Kika)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have resided in Japan for the required period, meet the financial and conduct requirements, and are willing to renounce their foreign nationality.
Duration
Standard route: 10 years of continuous legal residence (effective April 1, 2026 — increased from 5 years). Shortened routes: Spouse of Japanese national — 3 years of continuous legal residence AND 1 year of marriage, OR 3 years of continuous residence if married for at least 3 years. Child of Japanese national — same as marriage route if born after parents' marriage. Special cases: persons with significant ties to Japan or exceptional ability may qualify with shorter periods.
Requirements
- ✓10 years of continuous legal residence (standard route from April 1, 2026 — increased from 5 years); spousal routes unchanged (3yr marriage + 1yr residence, or 3yr residence + 3yr marriage)
- ✓Age 20+ (or emancipated minor)
- ✓Good conduct — no criminal record anywhere, no history of anti-government or violent activity
- ✓Financial self-sufficiency — stable income with no social assistance dependence
- ✓Willingness to RENOUNCE all foreign nationalities — Japan does not allow dual citizenship
- ✓Tax compliance — all taxes paid, full pension and NHI contributions
- ✓Japanese language proficiency — the Ministry of Justice requires practical Japanese ability (approximately JLPT N3–N2 level, tested informally during the interview)
- ✓Supporting documents: residential history, employment records, tax records, pension records, birth/marriage certificates with official Japanese translations
- ✓Interview at the Ministry of Justice legal affairs bureau (法務局)
Japan DOES NOT permit dual citizenship. You must formally renounce all other nationalities upon naturalisation. If you fail to renounce your foreign nationality, Japan may revoke your Japanese citizenship. Many countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) technically allow their citizens to naturalise in Japan but may have their own rules — check your home country's stance on voluntary renunciation. The naturalization process takes 6–12 months after submitting the application. Names must be representable in Japanese characters (kanji or katakana). Children born to a Japanese parent automatically receive Japanese citizenship regardless of birthplace. ENACTED: From April 1, 2026, the standard residency requirement for naturalisation is 10 years (increased from 5 years). Spousal and exceptional routes are unchanged. Additionally, applicants must now submit 2 years of tax/social insurance records and 5 years of tax payment certificates.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
PR via Highly Skilled Professional (Accelerated)
Eligibility
HSP visa holders who maintain 80+ points on the points table
Duration / Outcome
1 year from the date the 80+ point score is confirmed (by the Ministry of Justice)
Requirements
- ✓HSP visa status
- ✓80+ points on the points table maintained throughout the 1-year period
- ✓Good conduct, tax/pension compliance
- ✓Stable income
The fastest legal pathway to Japanese PR. Points must be documented and verified by the MOJ — self-scoring is not sufficient. Requires engaging with an immigration lawyer to properly demonstrate points. The 1-year PR route is significantly faster than most other countries' PR pathways.
PR via Highly Skilled Professional (Standard)
Eligibility
HSP visa holders who maintain 70+ points
Duration / Outcome
3 years from the grant of HSP visa status
Requirements
- ✓HSP visa status
- ✓70+ points maintained throughout the 3-year period
- ✓Standard PR requirements (conduct, tax, pension, income)
A significant reduction from the standard 10-year route. Increasingly used by tech workers, finance professionals, and academics.
PR via Marriage to Japanese National
Eligibility
Foreign spouses of Japanese nationals
Duration / Outcome
1 year of marriage + 3 years of continuous legal residence, OR 3 years of continuous legal residence as a spouse (if married for 1 year)
Requirements
- ✓Marriage certificate
- ✓Proof of cohabitation
- ✓Spouse's Japanese nationality documentation
- ✓Standard financial and conduct requirements
The marriage-based PR route does not automatically guarantee approval — the relationship must be genuine and the applicant must meet financial self-sufficiency requirements independently or jointly with the Japanese spouse.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
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Dual citizenship is not allowed — Japan strictly prohibits dual citizenship for adult naturalised citizens. Under the Nationality Act (国籍法 / Kokusekihō), a person who acquires a foreign nationality voluntarily loses Japanese citizenship, and a foreign national naturalising in Japan must renounce all other nationalities. Children born to one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent may hold both nationalities but must make a nationality choice: from April 1, 2022, those who acquired multiple nationality before age 18 must choose by age 20; those who acquire a second nationality after age 18 must choose within 2 years. Previously the deadline was age 22 for all. In practice, enforcement of renunciation has been inconsistent, and some individuals maintain dual nationality informally — but this carries legal risk and is officially prohibited. Japan does not recognise "accidental" dual nationality acquired at birth as a permanent status. There is an active political discussion about reforming the dual citizenship prohibition, but no law change has been enacted as of 2026.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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