Update to permanent residence permit rules from Japan

According to Kyodo news agency, the Immigration Services Agency under the Ministry of Justice of Japan has updated the permanent residence permit rules, which are planned to come into force in April 2027.

Under the new regulation, applicants will need to have incomes above the average of Japanese households and demonstrate that they can earn a certain level of retirement income.

Applicants will also be required to have language proficiency at the level of "independent use" of Japanese.

Requirements will also be tightened for spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents.

While previously at least 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence in Japan were sufficient for a permanent residence permit, these periods will be increased to 5 and 3 years, respectively.