I work in nursing care and earn under 3 million yen (300万円) a year. Can I apply for 永住?
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.
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Answer
Even if your own annual income does not reach 3 million yen (300万円), an 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence) may still be possible. Screening is not decided by income alone. A stable record of work at the same workplace, qualifications and a wish to advance your career, savings and assets, and your record of paying taxes and social insurance contributions are all taken into account together.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from a person who has worked in nursing care for 5 years and meets the requirement of 10 years of residence.
Subject: status of residence (visa)
Application type: 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence)
Situation: Vietnamese national, female, in her 30s. She has 5 years of practical work as a care helper at the same organisation, and also meets the requirement of 10 years of residence in Japan. She has obtained the 介護福祉士 (Certified Care Worker) qualification and is now aiming for a ケアマネージャー (care manager) qualification. Her own annual income is a little under 3 million yen (300万円). She has children aged 3 years old and 5 years old, and a husband who is also a Vietnamese national. Her husband used to work on a work status of residence, but is now on 在留資格「家族滞在」 (Dependent) and works part-time, earning about 140,000 yen (14万円) a month.
Question: The household income seems short for 3 dependants (her husband and 2 children). Even so, is there room for an 永住許可申請? Please also tell me what can make up for the shortfall in income, and what documents will be asked for in respect of her husband.
What is the guide figure for annual income?
At least 3 million yen (300万円) where there are no dependants, plus roughly between 700,000 and 800,000 yen (70〜80万円) for each dependant, is said to be the guide.
For the requirement for 永住許可 of "having sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living" (独立の生計を営むに足りる資産又は技能), stability is looked at on a household basis.
In practice, the guide figure for annual income where there are no dependants is said to be at least 3 million yen (300万円). Where there are dependants, roughly between 700,000 and 800,000 yen (70〜80万円) is said to be added per dependant as a guide. The enquirer's household has 3 dependants, so as a guide an annual income of around 5 million yen (500万円) is thought to be desirable.
These amounts are stated as guide figures in practice. They are not a published standard.
Is permission possible even below the guide figure?
Yes. Screening is not decided by income alone.
There are cases where 永住許可 is granted even though annual income is below the guide figure. The following points are taken into account together.
A stable record of work: 5 years of work at the same organisation is rated very highly
Income rising over time: where income has risen each year over 5 years and this suggests stability, income for the most recent 2 years may be given weight and permission granted even where income is a little below the guide figure
Specialist skills and a wish to advance your career: holding the 介護福祉士 qualification and aiming for a ケアマネージャー qualification, so that a continuing rise in income can be expected in future, is rated positively
Savings and assets: assets other than income, such as savings and real estate, are also taken into account
Record of paying taxes and social insurance contributions: having properly met your tax obligations and paid your social insurance contributions in the past is taken as a basic premise
How can I make up for a shortfall in income?
3 points: proof of savings and assets, a 理由書 showing future prospects, and the stability of the family as a whole.
Prove your savings and assets By showing assets other than income, such as copies of your bank passbook or real estate, you can show a stable base for living.
Show future prospects in a 理由書 (written explanation) Write a 理由書 setting out in detail your career plan as a 介護福祉士 and the prospect of your income rising from now on. Writing a concrete plan for your husband's work in future as well (for example, that he intends to work as a full-time employee) also helps to show the financial stability of the household.
Show the stability of the family as a whole Show that your relationship as a couple is good, that you are properly supporting your children, and that you are living stably in Japan, using your 住民票 (resident record), photographs of the two of you together, certificates from your children's school or nursery and so on. Adding in the 理由書 that the two of you support the household budget together is also useful.
What documents are needed for my spouse?
Because a 永住 application is looked at on a household basis, documents for your husband as a dependant are needed too.
A copy of your husband's 在留カード (Residence Card) and passport
Your husband's 納税証明書 (tax payment certificate) and 課税証明書 (certificate of tax payment status) for the last few years
Your husband's ねんきん定期便 (Pension Coverage Regular Notice), or his record on Nenkin Net
Your husband's 住民票
A copy of your husband's health insurance card
Documents proving your husband's part-time income (withholding tax statement, payslips and so on)
Documents proving that the marriage is genuine (photographs of the two of you together, records showing contact within the family and so on)
It is true that the annual income is below the guide figure. But a stable record of work in nursing care, and a serious record of paying taxes and social insurance contributions, are big strengths. Rather than hiding the shortfall, please show the savings and the prospect of your income rising in future that make up for it, using a 理由書 and objective material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the guide figure for the income I need change if I have dependants?
Yes, it does. Where there are no dependants, the guide is said to be an annual income of at least 3 million yen (300万円), and roughly between 700,000 and 800,000 yen (70〜80万円) per dependant is said to be added as a guide in practice.
If my income does not reach the guide figure, can I not obtain 永住許可?
That is not the case. A record of work at the same workplace, income rising over time, qualifications and specialist skills, savings and assets, and your record of paying taxes and social insurance contributions are all taken into account together.
Is working at the same workplace for a long time rated well?
Yes, it is. 5 years of work at the same organisation is rated very highly. Where income has risen each year, income for the most recent 2 years may be given weight.
Do I have to submit documents for my spouse as well?
Yes. Screening for 永住許可 is looked at on a household basis, so the 在留カード, 納税証明書, pension record and documents proving income of a spouse who is a dependant are asked for.
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.
