Does a record of being refused entry abroad affect screening for 永住 in Japan?
Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
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）
Answer
A record of being refused entry abroad may be taken into account in screening for 永住許可 in Japan. However, it does not necessarily lead to a denial. How much it matters depends on the reason for the refusal, how much time has passed, and your situation in Japan. Declaring it honestly and explaining it carefully are important.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from a person who was once refused entry to another country and is worried about the effect on 永住許可 in Japan.
Subject: 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence)
Application type: ordinary 永住
Situation: Spanish national, male. He has worked for a Japanese company as an IT engineer for 7 years (status of residence: 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)). He married a Japanese woman 4 years ago and now lives in Japan with his spouse. 3 years ago, when he was travelling back and forth between Country A and Japan several times every few months for a company project, he was refused entry at immigration in Country A without being given a detailed reason.
Question: Will the refusal of entry abroad 3 years ago affect his 永住許可申請 in Japan this time? If it does, how should he handle it?
Does a record of being refused entry abroad affect screening?
It may be taken into account, but how much it matters depends on the reason, the timing and your present situation.
To put the conclusion first, a past refusal of entry abroad may be taken into account in screening for 永住許可 in Japan.
In screening for 永住許可, whether the applicant is of good conduct is said to be one of the important items looked at. However, how much it matters depends on the reason for the refusal of entry, when it happened, and the enquirer's present life in Japan.
What is looked at?
4 points: the reason for the refusal, how much time has passed, your life in Japan, and declaring it honestly.
The reason for the refusal of entry in Country A The most important point is why you were refused entry. If the reason is something that would fall under the grounds for denial of landing in Japanese 入管法 (the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act) — a criminal record, an infectious disease, a public health problem and so on — it is more likely to have a bad effect on an 永住許可申請 in Japan as well. On the other hand, if it was temporary and came from a problem with your documents or from a misunderstanding, and it is judged that there is no problem with your conduct, the effect may be comparatively small.
How much time has passed since the refusal The time between the refusal of entry and the application is also taken into account. If time has passed and you have a track record of living in Japan without trouble since then, it may be treated as something in the past. In the enquirer's case it happened 3 years ago.
Your life in Japan Your 7 years of employment, your tax payment record, a stable married life with a Japanese spouse, contribution to the local community and so on — a good base of life in Japan and an attitude of following the law are important elements.
Declaring it honestly and explaining it It is important to declare the fact of the refusal of entry honestly on the application form, and to explain the reason for it in as much detail as you can.
What should I actually do?
4 things work well: checking the reason for the refusal, writing a 理由書, strengthening the documents that show your base of life, and letters of recommendation.
Check the reason for the refusal of entry If it is possible to ask the immigration authorities of Country A for an official record or explanation of why you were refused entry, it is better to check this.
Write a detailed 理由書 (written explanation) In the 理由書 you submit, explain carefully how the refusal of entry came about, what the situation was at the time, and why you consider that it was temporary and that there is no problem with your conduct.
Strengthen the documents that prove a stable life in Japan Prepare carefully the documents showing your 7 years of employment, stable income, tax payment record and a good relationship with your spouse (住民票 (resident record), 戸籍謄本 (certified copy of the family register), photographs and so on).
Consider letters of recommendation Submitting letters of recommendation from third parties who know you and your life in Japan well — a manager or a colleague at your workplace in Japan, or friends — can also be useful in some cases for building trust.
Is there a realistic prospect of 永住許可 in this case?
By showing a stable life in Japan, there is a good chance of obtaining permission.
A past refusal of entry abroad may be an unfavourable element, but it does not necessarily lead to a denial.
What matters is to understand accurately the reason for the refusal of entry, to explain it honestly to the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau), and to show a stable life in Japan and good conduct.
In the enquirer's case, by showing a stable life in Japan there is a good chance of obtaining 永住許可. If you are worried, please consult a specialist such as a 行政書士 (certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi)) who is familiar with residence procedures, at an early stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have been refused entry to another country, will 永住許可 in Japan always be denied?
It is not always denied. It may be taken into account, but how much it matters depends on the reason for the refusal, how much time has passed, and your present situation in Japan.
Does the effect change depending on the reason for the refusal of entry?
Yes, it does. If the reason is something that would fall under the grounds for denial of landing in Japanese 入管法, it is more likely to have a bad effect. If it was temporary and came from a problem with your documents or from a misunderstanding, the effect may be comparatively small.
Wouldn't it be better not to declare a record of being refused entry?
Please declare it honestly. It is important to declare the fact honestly on the application form and to explain the reason for it in as much detail as you can. Alongside that, explain carefully in a 理由書 how it came about.
Should I prepare letters of recommendation?
They can be useful in some cases. Letters of recommendation from third parties who know you and your life in Japan well — a manager or a colleague at your workplace in Japan, or friends — can help to build trust.
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. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
