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 a woman whose husband changes jobs often, who is unsure whether the family should apply together.
Permanent residence is judged on whether the applicant personally meets the requirements. For that reason, there is no need for the whole family to apply at the same time. Until your spouse's income looks likely to become stable, applying on your own first is the safer option.
An enquiry from a woman whose husband changes jobs often, who is unsure whether the family should apply together.
No. Permanent residence is judged applicant by applicant.
An 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence) is, as a rule, judged on whether the applicant personally meets the requirements. There is therefore no need for the whole family to apply at the same time.
Whether you support dependants, and how stable the family's life as a whole is, are taken into account in screening.
Where you have a family, the Regional Immigration Services Bureau may take the situation of the family as a whole into account when it screens the application. The following points in particular are looked at.
It may have an effect in 3 areas: status-of-residence procedures, the stability of income, and the stability of the occupation.
Deciding on the basis of how stable your husband's income will be from now on is a good approach.
Where there is a good prospect of stable income as a freelancer (for example, several contracts are already in place, or the income outlook is clear), it is thought that the whole family may apply at the same time without difficulty.
The safer option is for the enquirer to apply on her own first, and to consider her husband's application for permanent residence once his income has become stable.
In the enquirer's case, the household income is more than 7 million yen (700万円), so it is thought that economic stability is met to a reasonable degree. Even so, the stability of her husband's income is an important point in screening.
In addition to the 3 requirements of good conduct, independent living and being in the interests of Japan, the number of years of residence and the carrying out of public duties are looked at.
Note that the requirements set out in the Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence are the 3 of good conduct, independent living and being in the interests of Japan, and they do not include any standard for Japanese language ability. Preparing for a Japanese language test is not something you have to do, so please rest assured on that point.
Settle the status of residence, set out the income outlook, then prepare the supporting documents.
No. An 永住許可申請 is, as a rule, judged on whether the applicant personally meets the requirements.
Yes. 高度専門職 is a status of residence tied not only to the person's points but also to the duties performed at the company where they work, so a change of jobs means an 在留資格変更許可申請 has to be made again.
Set out the income outlook in concrete terms, including which companies they plan to contract with, the amounts and the contract periods, and then prepare documents proving income such as contracts, invoices and records of payments received.
As a rule, the requirement is continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years. For the spouse of a Japanese national, the spouse of a 永住者 or the spouse of a 特別永住者, it is enough to have a genuine marital relationship that has continued for at least 3 years, together with continuous residence in Japan for at least 1 year.
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Get a free consultationThis 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.