If I hold 永住許可, what advantages do I have when I apply for naturalisation?
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
Holding 永住許可 is an advantage when you apply for naturalisation. It is strong proof that you meet the residence requirement, namely having had an address in Japan continuously for at least 5 years. It also supports the stability of your living and your good conduct.
What is this enquiry about?
The enquirer came to Japan 15 years ago and holds 永住許可. He asks how that helps in a naturalisation application.
Subject: naturalisation application by a foreign national who holds 永住許可 (new application)
Situation: The enquirer came to Japan 15 years ago as a 3rd-generation Japanese descendant. He played football professionally for 10 years and has worked as a coach since then. He obtained 永住許可 5 years ago.
Question: Does a foreign national who holds 永住許可 have any advantage when applying for naturalisation?
How does 永住許可 help in a naturalisation application?
It is proof that you meet the residence requirement, and it can also help on living, conduct and settling into society.
One of the requirements for naturalisation is a residence requirement: having had an address in Japan continuously for at least 5 years. Holding 永住許可 means that you have been legally allowed to live in Japan permanently, so it is strong proof that you meet this residence requirement.
Holding 永住許可 may also help you in the following ways.
A stable living: to obtain 永住許可 you must have stable income or assets, so it also shows a stable living in the naturalisation screening.
Good conduct: your conduct was already screened during the 永住許可 process.
Settling into Japanese society: living in Japan for a long time and obtaining 永住許可 may show that you have settled to some degree into Japanese society and culture.
In the enquirer's case, he has lived here for 15 years, obtained 永住許可 5 years ago and has stable work. It therefore seems likely that he already meets the requirements for naturalisation.
What are the main requirements for naturalisation?
They cover residence, age, conduct, making a living, legal capacity, loss of your former nationality, respect for the Constitution and Japanese language ability.
Having had an address in Japan continuously for at least 5 years
Being 18 years old or over, and having legal capacity under the law of your home country
good conduct
Being able to make a living from the assets or skills (技能) of yourself, or of a spouse or other relative with whom you share a household
Not being a person without legal capacity, or a person with limited legal capacity
Losing your foreign nationality
Since the day the Constitution of Japan was promulgated, never having plotted or advocated the destruction by force of the Constitution of Japan or of a government formed under it, and never having formed or joined a political party or other organisation that plots or advocates this
Japanese language ability
How does the naturalisation procedure go?
It runs from a preliminary consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau for your address, through screening, to notice of the decision.
A naturalisation application is made at the Legal Affairs Bureau that covers the applicant's address. You have to prepare a large number of documents, and the screening can take 1 year or more.
Preliminary consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau: check the procedure and the required documents in detail.
Preparing the documents: collect and draw up the documents the Legal Affairs Bureau tells you to bring.
The naturalisation application: submit the full set of documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau.
Screening: the Legal Affairs Bureau carries out its screening.
Notice of the decision: you are notified of the Minister of Justice's decision to grant or refuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is credited in the naturalisation screening if I hold 永住許可?
It may be viewed favourably on the stability of your living, your good conduct, and how far you have settled into Japanese society.
Where do I file a naturalisation application?
At the Legal Affairs Bureau that covers the applicant's address.
How long does the screening of a naturalisation application take?
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.
