When the whole family applies for 帰化, how are past pension exemptions or unpaid contributions, violations from more than 10 years ago, and household income assessed?
This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
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Who this article is forAn enquiry from the applicant themselves about a 帰化 application by the whole family.
Answer
Minor violations have no effect, and traffic violations are examined only for the most recent 5 years. Income is also examined only for the most recent 5 years, so we recommend applying only after maintaining your current income for at least the most recent 5 years. For exempted pension periods, please pay them in full before applying if you can.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from the applicant themselves about a 帰化 application by the whole family.
- Subject: 帰化 (naturalisation)
- Application type: 帰化許可申請 (Application for Naturalisation) (ordinary naturalisation (普通帰化))
- Situation: A married couple of Chinese nationality who are both 永住者 (Permanent Resident), and their 2 minor children, 4 people in all, wish to apply for 帰化 as a whole family. The couple run a restaurant as a sole proprietorship, and their household income (couple combined) was about 2.6 to 2.7 million yen (260万〜270万円) in 2023, about 2.4 million yen (240万円) in 2024 and about 4.2 to 4.3 million yen (420万〜430万円) in 2025, and is expected to be about 4.2 to 4.5 million yen (420万〜450万円) in 2026. Their only borrowing is a home loan (about 58,000 yen (58,000円) a month). On pensions, both spouses had 2 months unpaid more than 10 years ago (the period for making up payments has passed), and over the past 7 to 8 years there were periods of full or partial exemption. Since October 2025 they have paid in full, and they pay insurance premiums and resident tax without delay. Until 2 to 3 years ago they had the wife's parents, who live in China, as dependants and sent them money, but they are no longer dependants and no money is sent now. The husband was questioned by the police about 17 years ago and had 1 violation concerning a road sign about 16 years ago; the wife had 1 traffic accident and 1 parking violation about 10 years ago.
- Questions: (1) If violations from 10 to 17 years ago have not been repeated since, is their effect on the screening small? (2) Must exempted pension periods be paid back in full? Also, roughly what household income, continued for how many years, would be judged to meet the livelihood requirement? (3) We are in no hurry and want to apply at a time when approval is certain. What should we improve, and roughly when should we apply?
Do violations from more than 10 years ago affect the screening?
If they are minor, there is no effect.
If they are minor, there is no effect. For traffic violations, only the most recent 5 years are examined.
For how many years should household income have continued?
Currently, income is also examined only for the most recent 5 years.
Currently, income is also examined only for the most recent 5 years. We therefore recommend maintaining your current income for at least the most recent 5 years.
Should I pay back exempted pension periods before applying?
For pensions, please pay the exempted periods in full before applying if you can.
For pensions, please pay the exempted periods in full before applying if you can.
When is the best time to apply?
In this case, income is considered to be the key point.
In this case, income is considered to be the key point. We recommend applying once you have been able to maintain an income at or above your current level for 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do traffic violations from more than 10 years ago affect a 帰化 application?
If they are minor, there is no effect. For traffic violations, only the most recent 5 years are examined.
If household income has risen only recently, can we apply for 帰化 right away?
Income is examined for the most recent 5 years, so we recommend applying only after maintaining your current income for at least the most recent 5 years.
What should I do if there were periods when my pension was exempted?
If you can, please pay the exempted periods in full before applying.
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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. 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.
