How much annual income is said to be needed for a permanent residence application?
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
No clear income standard has been published for permanent residence applications. As a guide in practice, an annual income of at least 3 million yen (300万円) for a single person is cited, and the figure rises with the number of dependants. However, it is not only the amount: a judgment is made as a whole, taking in the stability of your job, your assets, your tax record and your family situation.
What is this enquiry about?
An explanation for people who want to know the guide figures, and the points to watch, for the income requirement for permanent residence.
Subject: 永住許可申請 (Application for Permanent Residence)
Theme: "having sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living", and guide figures for annual income
Common questions: How much do I actually have to earn for a permanent residence application to be granted? What should I do if my income does not reach the guide figure?
What does "sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living" mean?
It looks at whether you have a stable economic base and can go on supporting yourself into the future.
One of the requirements for a permanent residence application is "having sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living". This is there to judge whether the applicant has a stable economic base and the ability to go on supporting themselves in Japan into the future.
This requirement is judged not only on your current income, but as a whole, taking in the stability of your job, its prospects, and your family situation as well.
What annual income is said to be the guide?
An annual income of at least 3 million yen for a single person is said to be one guide figure in practice.
The 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan) has not published any clear income standard for permanent residence applications. Based on past screening cases and general tendencies, the annual income figures said to be guides in practice are as follows.
Single person: annual income of at least 3 million yen (300万円)
Supporting a spouse: annual income of at least 4 million yen (400万円)
Supporting 1 child: annual income of at least 4.5 million yen (450万円)
Supporting 2 children: annual income of at least 5 million yen (500万円)
All of these are no more than guides. Falling below these amounts does not necessarily mean a denial, and being above them does not necessarily mean permission will be granted. The judgment differs with the cost of living in your area and with your own particular circumstances.
What is taken into account besides annual income?
The stability of your job, its prospects, your assets, taxes, social insurance, dependants, and your past record of residence.
Stability of your job Your type of employment (permanent employee, contract employee, dispatched worker and so on), your length of service, and the financial situation of the company are taken into account.
Prospects Whether your income can be expected to grow in the future, such as the likelihood of pay rises or of career advancement, is also part of the judgment.
Assets Savings, real estate, securities and other assets are also an important factor. If you have sufficient assets, it may be judged that you could maintain your living even if your income became unstable for a time.
Tax record Paying income tax, resident tax and the like without delay can be said to be an essential condition for obtaining permanent residence.
Enrolment in and payment of social insurance It is also important that you are properly enrolled in social insurance such as health insurance and pension, and that you pay the contributions without delay.
Dependants If you have family members you support, their number and income situation are also taken into account. Where there are many dependants, there is a tendency for a higher income to be looked for.
Past record of residence Your income and living situation during your past period of residence are also subject to screening. What is assessed is whether you had a stable income and lived lawfully without problems.
What is most often misunderstood about income?
That it is not only your income at the time of application, but your income over the past several years, that carries weight.
Income over the past several years matters: Even if your income was high for a time, if your past income was unstable it may not be judged that you have the ability to make an independent living. It is generally said to be desirable that your income has been stable over the past 5 years
Non-regular employment: Even as a contract employee or a dispatched worker, it may be possible to obtain permanent residence if you have a stable income. However, the term of the employment contract and the likelihood of renewal are screened carefully
Self-employed people: The income figure on your final tax return is what is screened. It is important to have stable business income and to pay taxes properly, and your business plan and its prospects may also be taken into account
The importance of proof of income: You submit official documents such as the withholding tax statement, 納税証明書 (tax payment certificate), and final tax returns. Please prepare them accurately so that nothing is missing
Unlawful income is not accepted: Income obtained by unlawful means is not taken into account at all, and leads to a denial on the ground of poor conduct. Even where the income is lawful, if there is income you have not declared, the result is a denial
What can I do if my income does not reach the guide figure?
Prepare in the direction of making your income, assets and household income stable over the long term.
Aim to raise your income Make an effort to increase your income, for example by negotiating a pay rise, moving to a better-paid job, or starting side work.
Build up your assets Work actively on building assets, for example by increasing your savings or investing. If you have sufficient assets, you can show the ability to make an independent living even if your income becomes unstable for a time.
Increase your household income If you have many dependants, consider increasing household income, for example by both partners working.
Keep a stable income over the long term Rather than a short-term rise in income, it is important to plan a career that gives you a stable income over the long term. Where you have worked continuously at the same company for 5 years or more without changing jobs, both in the run-up to the application and between the application and the result, it is said that this can sometimes be assessed highly in screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has an income standard for permanent residence been published?
No, it has not. As guides in practice, the figures cited are an annual income of at least 3 million yen (300万円) for a single person, at least 4 million yen (400万円) where a spouse is supported, at least 4.5 million yen (450万円) with 1 child, and at least 5 million yen (500万円) with 2 children.
If my income is below the guide figure, will I always be denied?
No. Even below the guide figure, permission may be granted if you can show a stable asset position, good prospects and so on, taken as a whole. Conversely, being above it does not necessarily mean permission will be granted.
Can I obtain permanent residence in non-regular employment or as a self-employed person?
It may be possible if you have a stable income. In non-regular employment, the term of the employment contract and the likelihood of renewal are screened carefully; for self-employed people, it is the income figure on the final tax return and the tax payment record.
Is only my income at the time of application looked at?
Not only at the time of application: your income situation over the past several years carries weight. It is generally said to be desirable that your income has been stable over the past 5 years.
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.
