For many foreign residents, permanent residency represents the point at which life in Japan finally feels secure. No more worrying about renewing a visa every few years, or paying the fees. They’ve finally gained not only the promise of being able to live in Japan indefinitely, but also the freedom to change industries, freelance, or start a business without risking their immigration status.
Now, Japan’s considering a proposal that would make reaching that milestone significantly more difficult for many. In fact, under the proposed change, many foreigners currently working in Japan wouldn’t qualify.
What are Japan’s current permanent residency requirements?
The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has proposed introducing a formal income benchmark for permanent residency applicants. If passed, this benchmark would be based on Japan’s average household income instead of applicants demonstrating a “stable livelihood.”
Obtaining permanent residency is already far from automatic. Under current guidelines, applicants must generally demonstrate good conduct, have fulfilled their tax and social insurance obligations, and show that they have sufficient assets or income to support themselves independently. Depending on the applicant’s visa category, they must also meet minimum residency requirements, although highly skilled professionals and some spouses of Japanese nationals may qualify through accelerated pathways.
One of those existing requirements is maintaining what immigration authorities describe as an “independent livelihood.” However, there’s currently no fixed nationwide income threshold written into the guidelines. Instead, immigration officials evaluate an applicant’s overall financial circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Earning more than the average Japanese household
The proposed revisions would replace much of the current case-by-case evaluation process with clearer, more standardized criteria for permanent residency applicants.
One of the most significant changes concerns financial eligibility. Instead of simply requiring applicants to demonstrate a “stable livelihood,” the proposal would generally require that an applicant’s annual household income exceed that of the average Japanese household of the same size. Based on 2024 figures, this means PR applicants would need to earn ¥5,752,000 (~$35K) a year to qualify.
The benchmark would be updated periodically to reflect changes in household income and broader economic conditions.
The proposal would also establish more concrete standards for pension eligibility. In principle, applicants would be expected to have accrued pension benefits equivalent to at least 30 years of enrollment in Japan’s Employees’ Pension Insurance. Those who don’t meet this requirement may instead be able to demonstrate their financial stability through sufficient savings or other assets.
The revisions also extend beyond financial matters. The proposal would introduce clearer guidelines for determining whether granting permanent residency is in Japan’s national interest. Under the draft standards, applicants who demonstrate little understanding of Japanese social systems, including everyday customs, or who fail to enroll children of compulsory school age in school could receive a negative evaluation.
Taken together, the proposed changes would make the permanent residency process considerably more standardized than it is today. Supporters argue that clearer benchmarks would make the application process more transparent and predictable, while critics question whether fixed standards can adequately account for the diverse financial and personal circumstances of long-term foreign residents.
Why is the proposal being made?
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the revisions are intended to make the permanent residency screening process more transparent, objective, and consistent. Under the current system, requirements such as maintaining a “stable livelihood” seem too broad. Determining whether an application aligns with Japan’s national interest is also evaluated on a case-by-case basis, leaving room for too many differing interpretations.
The stricter financial requirements are also intended to reduce the likelihood that individuals with permanent residency later require public assistance, such as welfare. (In reality, foreign-headed households are just 2.9% of welfare cases, at a rate close to Japanese nationals. The largest group is elderly Zainichi Koreans, special permanent residents who were shut out of Japan’s pension system.) By introducing more specific standards for income, pension eligibility, and social integration, the Japanese government says applicants will have a clearer understanding of what is expected of them before applying.
If adopted, the proposal would represent one of the most significant updates to Japan’s permanent residency evaluation criteria in recent years. While the changes haven’t been implemented yet, debate has already been sparked over how financial stability and long-term integration should be measured, and who ultimately qualifies to make Japan their permanent home.
When standards meet reality
While supporters say the proposal would create a fairer and more transparent standard, it has also prompted swift criticism.
One of the biggest concerns is the decision to tie eligibility to Japan’s average household income. Because the benchmark is based on household earnings rather than an individual’s salary, some critics argue it sets a relatively high bar, especially for single applicants, freelancers, and self-employed workers whose annual income may fluctuate despite years of steady employment and tax contributions.
Currently, the average foreign worker in Japan makes around ¥2.9 million/year ($17.8K). That’s about half the new income bar.
The average Japanese citizen earns ¥4.78M/year ($29,177). In other words, many Japanese citizens don’t even meet the bar.
“Only high-earning company employees or the wealthy will be able to get permanent residency,” one commenter noted on Yahoo! News JP, who notes that this would double the financial requirement for PR overnight. “It’s a pretty drastic reversal.”
Others have questioned whether a standardized income threshold can adequately account for differences in applicants’ financial circumstances. A household with significant savings or investments, for example, may have a lower annual income while remaining financially secure. Likewise, applicants living in regions with a lower cost of living may face different financial realities than those in Tokyo or other major metropolitan areas.
The proposal has also sparked debate at a time when Japan continues to grapple with labor shortages and an aging population. While the government has expanded programs to attract foreign workers and highly skilled professionals, critics argue that making permanent residency more difficult to obtain could discourage long-term residents from even staying.
The future of permanent residency in Japan
At the moment, the proposed changes remain just that: a proposal. Whether the income benchmark is adopted or revised during the consultation process, it signals a broader shift in how Japan is approaching permanent residency.
For many foreign residents, obtaining permanent residency is more than a relief from visa fees. It’s reflective of a real commitment to building a life in Japan. As the nation continues to balance its need for foreign workers with its vision for long-term immigration, the outcome of this proposal could shape who is ultimately able to truly call the country home.
Keep reading
Sources
外国人の永住許可要件厳格化へ 年収、日本人の平均以上 東京新聞（共同通信）
外国人の永住要件を厳格に 指針改定、日本人の平均年収超えなど明記へ 日本経済新聞
外国人の永住許可、「厚生年金30年水準」要求 入管庁が厳格化案 朝日新聞／Yahoo!ニュース
月47万9000円以上の収入が必須に…日本、永住権取得要件を厳格化 中央日報日本語版／Yahoo!ニュース
「あきれてモノが言えない」「国を維持できるの？」外国人の永住許可要件の厳格化で在日中国人の本音は？ 中島恵／Yahoo!ニュース エキスパート
2025年（令和7年）国民生活基礎調査の概況 厚生労働省
令和6年分 民間給与実態統計調査 国税庁