Permanent Residence in Japan: Is It Worth Applying for as a Long-Term Resident?

Comparison between Long-Term Resident and Permanent Resident in Japan

When I first began living in Japan, permanent residence was not something I felt I needed right away.

I already had Long-Term Resident status, which allowed me to work without restrictions. I had also heard that permanent residents still had to renew their residence cards, so I assumed the two statuses were not very different in everyday life.

At the time, I honestly thought:

“I can always apply later.”

After living in Japan for more than ten years, I finally looked into the system more carefully. That was when I realized I had misunderstood something important.

Permanent residents renew their residence cards, but they do not need to extend their period of stay.

Long-Term Residents, on the other hand, still receive a limited period of stay—often one, three, or five years—and must apply for an extension before it expires. This difference is the main reason permanent residence may be worth considering for people planning to remain in Japan long term.

I am not an immigration professional. This article is based on my own experience living in Japan and information published by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.

The Mistake I Did Not Realize I Was Making

Comparison table of Long-Term Resident and Permanent Resident in Japan

For years, I confused two separate procedures:

  • extending a period of stay

  • renewing a residence card

They may sound similar, but they serve different purposes.

As a Long-Term Resident, I must apply for an extension if I want to remain in Japan beyond my current period of stay. That process involves preparing documents and waiting for immigration to approve another period.

A permanent resident has no fixed period of stay. The residence card still has an expiration date and must be renewed, but permanent residence itself does not need to be extended every few years. 

Once I understood this, I stopped seeing the two statuses as almost the same.

Why I Kept Putting Off the Application

My current status has not caused major problems in daily life.

I can work in different fields without changing to a work-specific status, and I have been able to build a normal life in Japan. Every few years, I prepared my documents, visited immigration and received another three-year period of stay.

The process was inconvenient, but it felt manageable.

I once asked an administrative scrivener about applying for permanent residence. The professional fee was around ¥200,000, which was more than I could comfortably afford at the time.

Since I believed I would still have to “renew” something as a permanent resident, I decided there was no reason to rush.

Looking back, my decision was based partly on cost and partly on a misunderstanding of how permanent residence works.

The Biggest Benefit for a Long-Term Resident

People often mention home loans, career freedom and financial stability when discussing permanent residence in Japan.

Those can matter, but career freedom may feel less significant to someone who already holds Long-Term Resident status.

For me, the most meaningful benefit is simpler: not having to apply for another period of stay every few years.

Anyone who has visited a busy immigration office knows how much time the process can take. I usually avoid making other plans on the day I go. Even when my circumstances have not changed, I still feel slightly nervous while waiting for the result.

Permanent residence removes that repeating cycle.

It does not eliminate every immigration-related procedure, but it means no longer wondering whether the next extension will be for one, three or five years.

Other Possible Benefits

Permanent residence may also help when applying for a mortgage in Japan.

Some banks accept applications from non-permanent residents, so permanent residence does not automatically determine whether someone can borrow. Income, employment history, age, credit and the bank’s own rules still matter.

However, permanent residence can make more mortgage options available because some lenders include it in their eligibility requirements.

It can also offer greater stability when making long-term decisions such as buying a home, changing careers or planning a future with family in Japan.

Who Should Consider Permanent Residence—and Who May Not Need It Yet

Checklist for deciding whether to apply for permanent residence in Japan

Applying may be worth considering when:

  • you expect to remain in Japan for many years

  • you want to stop extending your period of stay

  • repeated applications and immigration visits feel burdensome

  • you are considering buying a home

  • your taxes, pension and health insurance payments are in order

It may be less urgent if you expect to leave Japan within a few years or have not decided where you want to live long term.

Permanent residence should not be treated as something everyone must obtain. It is a personal decision based on future plans, current status and financial circumstances.

What to Check Before Applying

Permanent residence is not granted automatically because someone has lived in Japan for a long time.

Japan’s official guidelines refer to good conduct, the ability to support oneself and whether permanent residence is considered to be in Japan’s interests. Compliance with public obligations, including taxes and social insurance payments, is also examined. The exact documents and requirements depend on the applicant’s current status and circumstances.

Before applying, it is sensible to check:

  • tax payment records

  • pension and health insurance contributions

  • income and employment documents

  • residence history

  • required documents for your current status

  • the full cost of applying with or without professional help

Common Questions

Do permanent residents still renew their residence cards?

Yes. Permanent residents must renew the validity period of their residence cards. However, they do not apply to extend a limited period of stay.

Can Long-Term Residents work without restrictions?

Long-Term Resident is a status based on a person’s position or circumstances rather than a specific occupation. Unlike many employment-based statuses, it is not generally limited to one type of work.

Does permanent residence change your nationality?

No. Permanent residence and naturalization are different systems. Becoming a permanent resident does not make someone a Japanese citizen.

Final Thoughts

For a long time, I believed Long-Term Resident status and permanent residence were not very different because both involved renewing a residence card.

What I had overlooked was the period of stay.

A Long-Term Resident must continue applying for extensions. A permanent resident has an unlimited period of stay and renews only the card itself.

Learning this did not make me believe that everyone should apply immediately. The process still takes preparation, time and money.

But after more than ten years in Japan, permanent residence no longer feels like something I can simply think about “someday.” If Japan is where I plan to continue building my life, avoiding repeated extension reviews may be a much bigger benefit than I once realized.

For details about the proposed changes to Japan’s residence status and permanent residence fees, see my related article on the planned 2026 immigration fee increase.

You Might Also Like

Popular posts from this blog

How to Sleep Better During Summer in Japan: Practical Tips for Hot and Humid Nights

Image
My first summer in Japan was difficult for a reason I had not expected. The heat itself was manageable, but the humidity was not. Even after sunset, the air felt heavy, the bedding felt slightly damp, and I often woke up in the middle of the night feeling tired and sticky. At first, I tried to solve the problem by lowering the air-conditioner temperature. Over time, however, I realized that managing humidity was just as important as cooling the room. After spending many summers in Japan, I now rely on a few simple habits that help me sleep more peacefully during hot and humid nights. Why Is It Hard to Sleep During Summer in Japan? Japan’s summer climate combines high temperatures with high humidity. Before sleep, the body naturally releases heat and gradually lowers its core temperature. When the bedroom is warm and humid, sweat does not evaporate as easily, making it harder for the body to cool down. This is why humid nights in Japan can feel exhausting even when the temperature does ...
Read more

Buying a Home in Japan? Compare Average Home Prices by Region

Image
When I first moved to Japan, buying a home felt like something I might be able to do one day. I spent nearly ten years living in Tokyo before moving to Narita in Chiba Prefecture. During that time, I didn't pay much attention to housing prices. Like many people, I simply assumed that if I worked hard and saved enough money, buying a home would eventually be possible. Recently, though, I've started to notice how much things have changed. New homes around Narita seem far more expensive than they were just a few years ago, and news reports about record-breaking property prices in Tokyo have become almost routine. Every time I see another headline, I find myself wondering how first-time buyers are managing in today's market. Of course, Japan isn't one single housing market. The price of a home in central Tokyo can be several times higher than a similar property in another part of the country. That makes location one of the biggest factors when planning to buy a home. So I d...
Read more

Don't Just Stay at Narita Airport: Visit Naritasan Shinshoji Temple Before You Leave Japan

Image
Many people know Narita only because of Narita International Airport . Whenever my family visits from Korea, they arrive through Narita Airport. My husband's coworkers also use it regularly for business trips overseas. For many travelers, Narita is simply the place where their journey in Japan begins or ends. After living in Narita for years, I have come to feel that this is a real missed opportunity. The city itself has a long history, beautiful traditional streets, excellent local food, and one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples. Whenever someone asks me if there is anywhere worth visiting near the airport, my answer is always the same. Go to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. If you have just a few free hours before your flight or after arriving in Japan, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding short trips you can make. Getting from Narita Airport to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple One reason I often recommend Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is that it is surprisingly easy to rea...
Read more

My Favorite Seria Find: A Silicone Wet Wipes Case for Everyday Cleaning

Image
When I first moved to Japan, I thought 100-yen shops were simply places to buy inexpensive household goods. I usually visited only when I needed something specific, such as storage containers, kitchen tools, or cleaning supplies. Over time, my visits became less about buying only what was on my list and more about discovering small products that quietly improved life at home. One of my favorite discoveries has been a silicone wet wipes case from Seria. It is the kind of item I barely thought about when I first picked it up. After using it for a while, however, I found myself reaching for it constantly. I live in Japan with three Bengal cats, so cleaning is never really finished. There are paw prints on the floor, cat hair on furniture, and small messes around food and water bowls. Wet wipes have therefore become something I keep in several rooms. This simple Seria case has made them much easier to store, carry, and use. Why I Keep Wet Wipes Around the House Living with three ener...
Read more

Are Japanese Supermarkets Really Cheaper on Tuesdays? What I’ve Learned from Shopping in Japan

Image
I used to think grocery shopping in Japan was simple: go to the nearest supermarket, buy what I needed, and come home. For a long time, I never paid much attention to the day of the week. Then I began noticing that eggs were often cheaper on one day, vegetables on another, and bento boxes suddenly had discount stickers in the evening. The same supermarket could feel surprisingly different depending on when I visited. Many Japanese supermarkets have their own weekly sale days, point campaigns, and evening markdown schedules. However, there is no single day when every supermarket in Japan becomes cheaper. Even stores belonging to the same chain may offer different promotions depending on the area and the customers who shop there. Nobody really explains this when you first start living in Japan, but learning the habits of the supermarkets near you can make everyday shopping a little easier. Why Tuesdays Often Stand Out at Japanese Supermarkets Many supermarkets in Japan hold weekday promo...
Read more

AEON Mall Narita: My Favorite Shopping Stop Before Flying Home

Image
In my previous article, I introduced Naritasan Shinshoji Temple , the first place I usually recommend to friends visiting Narita. This time, I want to share somewhere completely different: AEON Mall Narita . Friends and relatives often ask me what they can do when they have checked out of their hotel but still have several hours before their flight. My answer is almost always the same: “Let’s stop by AEON Mall before heading to the airport.” I live in Narita and use this mall for ordinary grocery shopping, meals, and household purchases. That is exactly why I recommend it. It is not just a tourist shopping spot near the airport. It is a place where local residents actually spend their weekends and do their weekly shopping. If your flight is not until later in the day, visiting AEON Mall Narita is an easy way to make the most of your last few hours in Japan. Why Visit AEON Mall Narita Before Your Flight? By the final day of a trip, most travelers seem to have the same small list of unfi...
Read more

Will Your Company Find Out About Your Side Income in Japan? Resident Tax and Side Jobs Explained

Image
When I first started reading about taxes in Japan, I was not planning to launch a serious side business. I simply wanted to know what would happen if my blog, YouTube channel, or affiliate links eventually earned money. During my research, however, I kept seeing the same warning: “Your company will find out through resident tax.” That made me wonder whether filing a tax return automatically reveals everything to an employer. After looking more closely at how Japanese resident tax works, I learned that the answer is not quite that simple. Does Your Employer Automatically Know About a Side Job? Having additional income does not automatically mean that your employer will know exactly what you are doing. The more important question is whether your company permits outside work. Some employers allow side businesses, while others require advance permission or restrict them under their employment rules. Before starting freelance work, blogging, online sales, or another paid activity, it is wor...
Read more

Can You Soak Rice in the Fridge? How Long to Soak Rice in Summer

Image
When summer gets hot in Japan, even something as simple as preparing rice can make you pause. I usually wash my rice before cooking, and during the cooler months I never thought much about where it sat while soaking. But in summer, leaving rice in water on a warm kitchen counter started to bother me. So I began soaking rice in the fridge instead. Yes, you can soak rice in the refrigerator. If the rice will be sitting in water for a while during hot weather, keeping it cold is a practical option rather than leaving it at room temperature for hours. I also noticed something unexpected: I seemed to like the rice better this way. It felt a little fluffier, and the flavor seemed better to me. That made me curious about whether there was actually a reason behind it. How Long Should You Soak Rice Before Cooking? If you are using a cooking method that requires rice to be soaked first, such as cooking in a regular pot, around 30 minutes to one hour is a useful general guideline. Rice absorbs ...
Read more

Why Is Summer in Japan So Hot? A Foreigner's Guide to Humidity and Heatstroke

Image
Every summer, I catch myself asking the same question. “Was Japan always this hot?” Like many countries, Japan has experienced hotter summers in recent years. News reports about record-breaking temperatures and heatstroke warnings have become increasingly common. Before moving to Japan, I had already experienced hot summers in South Korea, so I assumed summers in Japan would feel much the same. I was wrong. The first thing that surprised me was not the temperature itself. It was the humidity. Even on days when the thermometer reads 35°C (95°F), the heat can feel much more intense than the number suggests. After only a few minutes outside, my clothes can be soaked with sweat. Even after sunset, the air often remains warm, heavy, and sticky. After living in Japan for many years, I have realized that understanding the climate is just as important as checking the weather forecast. If you are planning to visit Japan in summer, or if you have recently moved here, knowing why Japanese summers...
Read more

You Haven’t Missed Fireworks Season: 7 Kanto Fireworks Festivals Still to Come in 2026

Image
Every summer in Japan, I feel as though fireworks season passes faster than expected. A few hot weekends go by, and suddenly I begin wondering whether I have already missed the major events. Fortunately, fireworks in the Kanto region do not end with July. Several festivals are still scheduled from August through November 2026, including large river displays, waterfront events, and cooler autumn competitions. The information below was checked on August 5, 2026. Weather, ticket availability, and event details may change, so always confirm the official announcement before traveling. Kanto Fireworks Festivals Still Happening in 2026 Festival Location Date Best for Kumagaya Fireworks Festival Saitama August 8 Food stalls and a long summer display Yokohama Night Flowers Kanagawa August 9, September 5 and 20 Short fireworks with Yokohama night views Kisarazu Port Festival Fireworks Chiba August 15 Fireworks reflected over Tokyo Bay Takasaki Grand Fireworks Festival Gunma August 22 A large fes...
Read more