Benchmark Abroad

You are not eligible for Permanent Resident (PR) if you don’t currently reside in Japan under a specific visa status in Japan. In order to apply for Permanent Resident visa status, you need to reside in Japan under other visa status first and continue to live here consecutively for years (you may go outside Japan with Re-entry Permit or Special Re-entry Permit for a short trip). Once you become a PR, you can reside in Japan indefinitely.

Requirement for PR is different depending on your current visa status. Basically, you must been residing in Japan continuously for at least 10 years. Some visa status such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” etc. are exempted from this “10-year residence rule”.

ADVANTAGE of Permanent Resident

No need to worry yourself about the visa renewal.
You don’t need to apply for the visa renewal. You can stay in Japan indefinitely without visa renewal.
No limit of the activity.
Permanent Resident can do a job whatever you want. You don’t need to worry about the visa status when you change your job. Even it is possible that you can do your business as self-employment or you can run your company. You can apply for mortgage/housing loan or business loan if you are a permanent resident.
No need to lose or change residence/visa status when you divorce to a Japanese spouse.
Permanent Resident is not required to change residence/visa status when you divorce/marry to a Japanese spouse.
No change of your nationality.
No need to renounce your nationality – you can live in Japan indefinitely with your current nationality.

Matters that don’t change after obtaining PR

You will reside as a foreign national in Japan.
You must possess your Residence Card along with you at any time and the card is required to renew once in every 7 years.
You need to obtain Re-entry Permit or Special Re-entry Permit before your departure from Japan in case you travel outside Japan and reenter Japan again as a Permanent Resident.
No voting rights in Japan.
You cannot be a public servant/worker in Japan.
Possible to be deported in case of punishment or penalty.

Japan PR