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When applying for permanent residence as a Highly Skilled Professional (80 points) after holding a Japanese spouse visa, how should I fill in the education and work history after entry, and how are unpaid pension periods handled?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 15 October 2026　／　Supervised by 瀬戸了輔行政書士

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）

Who this article is forAn enquiry from the applicant himself or herself about applying for permanent residence as a Highly Skilled Professional (80 points) after holding 「日本人の配偶者等」.

Answer

In the "education and work history after the present entry" section of the permanent residence application form, it is said to be enough to write the history from the time of entry under the most recent status of residence (COE). As for unpaid pension periods before the period subject to checking, they are often passed over without explanation, and if they are mentioned at all, it would take the form of a statement of reflection that includes an explanation that payment can no longer be made retroactively. For exemption history from before the checked period, there is no example of it having been explained, but it is also pointed out that explaining it may be effective in preventing a worse impression.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from the applicant himself or herself about applying for permanent residence as a Highly Skilled Professional (80 points) after holding 「日本人の配偶者等」.

Subject: Visa (permanent residence)
Application type: 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence)
Situation: Tax-related materials will be limited to the past 1 year. Married for at least 5 years (period of stay: 5 years). Works for a Japanese company, and taxes are deducted from salary (resident tax is collected by special collection). Residence history: Cultural Activities COE (Certificate of Eligibility) (1st) → Cultural Activities COE (2nd) → application for change to 在留資格「日本人の配偶者等」 (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) → present.
Questions: (1) For the "education and work history after the present entry" section of the permanent residence application form, is it enough to write the history from the time of entry under the 2nd Cultural Activities COE? (2) As pension materials, the plan is to submit a copy of the monthly pension record (月別年金記録). About the most recent 4 years or so are Employees' Pension Insurance, but before that there is a period of exemption from National Pension, and in addition there are 2 unpaid months about 6 years ago. These unpaid months fall in the period "before the present entry", and a "!" mark is shown in the monthly pension record. Because this is an 80-point application, I am thinking of limiting the explanation to the most recent 1 year, but considering that I may be asked about it later, should I explain the unpaid period? (3) There are also months in which part or all of National Pension was exempted (at least 4 years ago). Should I explain these as well?

From what point should the "education and work history after the present entry" section be written?

Write the history from the most recent entry, which in this case is the entry under the 2nd Cultural Activities COE.

It is said that it is enough to write the history from the time of entry under the 2nd Cultural Activities COE.

Do I need to explain pension unpaid periods before the period subject to checking?

Unpaid periods before the checked period are often deliberately left unexplained.

Regarding unpaid periods before the period subject to checking, it is said that they are often passed over without explanation. Since documents are being submitted, they cannot be hidden, but if they are mentioned at all, it is said that it would take the form of a statement of reflection that includes an explanation that payment can no longer be made retroactively.

Should I also explain National Pension exemption history from before the checked period?

There is no example of having explained it, but explaining it may also be effective in preventing a worse impression.

It is said that exemption history from before the checked period has not been explained, but it is also said that explaining it may be effective in the sense of preventing a worse impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

From where should I write the "education and work history after the present entry" section?

It is said to be enough to write the history from the time of entry under the most recent status of residence (COE).

For an 80-point application, is an explanation needed if there are unpaid pension periods before the period subject to checking?

It is said that unpaid periods before the period subject to checking are often passed over without explanation.

What about National Pension exemption history from before the checked period?

It is said that there is no example of it having been explained, but it is also pointed out that explaining it may be effective in preventing a worse impression.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.