At some point in our lives, we’ve all gasped at how amazing Japan as a country is to live and settle in, haven’t we? Well, if you too have daydreamed about settling in Japan, let us tell you that you are one step closer to turning that dream into a reality. Indians are now eligible for a Permanent Residency (PR) in Japan, under certain conditions. What are those conditions and what does the Japanese PR offer? We dived deep into it in our article below:
Japanese Permanent Residency: Indians Now Eligible For Permanent Residency Status
Eligibility Process For Japanese Permanent Residency
Here are the eligibility requirements for applying for a Japanese PR:
General Applicants: Applicants must be living continuously in Japan for at least 10 years, including 5 years under a valid work or family visa.
Highly Skilled Professionals: Japan uses a points-based system for assessing highly skilled professionals working in the country. Those professionals with a score of 70 can apply after 3 years of residence, whereas those with 80 points or above can apply after just a year of residence.
The points based system, for the unversed, considers factors like academic background, professional experience, age, and annual salary. Those who score 70 are eligible for a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa. This visa is part of Japan’s strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by inviting talent with advanced skills and expertise.
Spouses And Children: Indians married to Japanese nationals or permanent residents for 3 years minimum (with at least 1 year of residence in Japan) are eligible to apply. On the other hand, children of Japanese nationals/ permanent residents may also apply after 1 year of residence.
Applicants must also have:
- Proof of financial stability
- Clean criminal record
- Proof of tax payments
- Good civil conduct
Documents Required For Japanese Permanent Residency
Applicants must submit documents including the application form, valid passports, residence cards, proof of income, tax certificates, social security contributions, and guarantor letters. All documents must be in Japanese or accompanied by certified translations. Here are all the documents required for a Japanese PR application:
- Duly filled PR application form
- Valid passport and residence card
- Proof of residence
- Proof of employment and income (bank statements, salary slips, etc)
- Tax certificates and social security payment proofs
- Guarantor documents (letters of guarantee and income proof)
- Family-related documents wherever applicable (marriage certificate/family registration certificate)
Japanese Permanent Residency Fees
The application fee for a Japanese Permanent Residency is 8,000 Japanese Yen (around INR 4,789). This amount is payable via revenue stamps, and the processing time of the application after the payment of the fee can vary between 4 to 8 months. During this time, applicants must hold a valid work or family visa. Also, note that the PR is maintained by residing physically in Japan for more than six months each year.
How To Apply For Japanese PR
- Gather all required documents
- Submit your application, along with all the required documents, to the Local Immigration Bureau before the current visa expires,
- Pay the application fee via revenue stamps.
- Wait for the application to get processed, which may take anywhere between 4 to 8 months.
- Once the application is approved, exchange your current residence card for a new one at the local municipal office or ward office.
Why Japan Is Introducing Japanese PR For Indians
While the move is definitely a step in the right direction in fostering India-Japan relations, the move has a more rooted background, that concerning Japanese society. Japan’s population is slowly declining and the workforce is ageing, making it critical for the country to hire young and skilled workers and residents.
The Japanese PR is a way for the Japanese government to attract foreign talent that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country where a major chunk of its population is ageing.
The Permanent Residency status grants several benefits to foreign workers in Japan. These include unrestricted employment rights, easier banking and loan access, as well as exemption from frequent visa renewals.
These benefits will enhance the stability and standard of living of foreign skilled workers as well as help in their social integration into Japanese society.
Summing Up
Japan introducing Permanent Residency for Indian residents in the country is definitely a positive step towards fostering cross-cultural ties, multicultural inclusion in Japanese society, and more open avenues for collaboration.
The Japanese PR, which can be obtained with just about INR 5000, is a great opportunity for talented Indian workers and professionals to settle in Japan permanently, if they wish to do so. With some of the world’s best infrastructure, disciplined social structure, and a high standard of living, settling in Japan has several benefits. Did this announcement make you rethink your choices and made you consider moving to Japan?
