This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
When you receive a notice of denial, first make sure to read the document that states the reason for the denial. If the reason is abstract and you cannot understand it, you can also ask the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) directly. If you resolve the reason for the denial and put together material that supports this, there is a real possibility in applying again.
A guide for people whose application for permanent residence was denied, covering how to analyse the reason and how to apply again.
They fall broadly into 5: years of residence, conduct, being able to make a living, conformity with the interests of Japan, and problems with the documents.
An application for permanent residence requires, as a rule, that you have resided in Japan continuously for at least 10 years. Even where you have at least 10 years of residence, if you have spent a long period outside Japan in the meantime, it may be judged that the continuity was broken.
Time spent on 在留資格「留学」 (Student) does count towards this period of, as a rule, 10 years. However, within it you must have resided continuously for at least 5 years under a work status of residence (excluding 技能実習 and 特定技能1号) or a residence-based status, and time spent on 「留学」 does not count towards those 5 years. The idea that "time spent as a student does not count towards the years of continuous residence" is wrong, so please take care not to subtract your time as a student and end up thinking you can apply later than is actually the case.
You are expected to obey Japanese law and to behave properly as a member of society. Cases such as the following may be judged as poor conduct and become a reason for denial.
You are expected to have a stable income and to be able to live independently in Japan. Your ability to make an independent living may be doubted where your income is unstable, where you are receiving public assistance, where you are supported by someone else and that person's income is unstable, or where you do not have sufficient savings.
There are cases where the applicant's situation is judged not to fit with the interests of Japan, for example where you have done something likely to harm public order or good morals in Japan, or where you submitted false application documents.
It is also a reason for denial where the required documents are not all there, where the translation of a document in a foreign language is inaccurate, or where something is missing or wrong in the application form or the attached documents.
Make sure to read the document that states the reason for the denial.
If you receive a notice of denial from the 地方出入国在留管理局, first make sure to read the document that states the reason for the denial. In some cases the reason is stated in concrete terms; in others it is put in abstract terms, such as "as a result of an overall judgment".
If the reason is unclear, consider asking the 地方出入国在留管理局 directly. You may need to book an appointment, so please check in advance.
Analyse the reason, resolve it, and then put your evidence together again.
Applying again for permanent residence can take time and effort, but if you analyse the reason for the denial carefully and take the right steps, there is a real possibility in applying again.
The notice of denial states the reason. If it is put in abstract terms, such as "as a result of an overall judgment", consider asking the 地方出入国在留管理局 directly. You may need to book an appointment.
That is not so. If you analyse the reason for the denial, resolve it, and put together evidence that supports this, there is a real possibility in applying again.
Even where you have at least 10 years of residence, if you have spent a long period outside Japan in the meantime, it may be judged that the continuity was broken. Note also that time spent on 「留学」 does count towards the period of, as a rule, 10 years, but within it you must have resided continuously for at least 5 years under a work status of residence (excluding 技能実習 and 特定技能1号) or a residence-based status, and time spent on 「留学」 does not count towards those 5 years.
Yes. Unpaid national or local taxes, 国民健康保険 contributions, 国民年金 contributions and the like are one of the reasons for being judged to be of poor conduct. If you have anything unpaid, please pay it promptly.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.