Quick summary
#You must have valid PR status and meet residency obligations. For related guidance, see the Form STATUS CHANGE page.
PERMANENT-RESIDENCE: Permanent Residence
Include it with your application package and follow official instructions for submission.
Names, dates of birth, and passport details on other forms Program checklist requirements Supporting documents and translations
Overview (What is Form PR Application?)
#Consult the official instructions to understand all filing requirements thoroughly. The Application for Permanent Residence (永住) is an official form used by applicants filing with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) of Japan. Download the current PR Application and instructions from the official ISA website. Filing a PR Application does not guarantee approval, and processing times vary by category and location. Ensure you complete all required sections, sign, and submit the form with the necessary evidence.
First page of PR Application form
Source: PR Application online portal
Context and workflow
#Processing time for PR Application varies by case type and current workload — always check the official ISA processing time tool, as described in the Certificate of Eligibility Application guide.
Why this matters
- Inconsistencies often trigger returns or follow-up requests because they create uncertainty in the case record.
- This form acts as a cross-check point: details here must match other forms and supporting documents.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Initiating the permanent residency application process.
- Application receipt (受付票) at the Immigration Services Agency office.
- Residence Card issuance at Immigration Services Agency office upon approval.
Who uses it
you may need to have valid PR status and meet residency obligations. For related guidance, see the Form STATUS CHANGE page. Common filers include those applying under categories such as Standard, Spouse of Japanese National, and Highly Skilled. Applicants seeking long-term resident status must ensure they meet the qualifying period specific to their category. Review the instructions for your specific eligibility category before starting the application process.
When it is used
- PERMANENT-RESIDENCE: Permanent Residence
- Foreign nationals with 10+ years of continuous residence in Japan, including 5+ .
- Spouses of Japanese nationals with 3+ years of marriage and 1+ year of continuou.
- Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals scoring 70+ or 80+ points on the HSFP scale.
Failure prevention (What causes Form PR Application rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Ensure form edition is current
Substantive weaknesses
- Insufficient evidence of financial stability.
- To avoid incomplete tax or pension payment history: Obtain 3-5 years of tax certificates and national pension payment records before filing. Pay any outstanding amounts first.
- To avoid insufficient period of continuous residence: Verify you meet the 10-year requirement (or HSP fast-track). Temporary absences are acceptable but extended time abroad may break continuity.
- To avoid missing or unqualified guarantor: Secure a guarantor who is a Japanese national or permanent resident with stable income. Prepare their tax and income documentation in advance.
- To avoid current status has lapsed or is about to expire: Ensure your current status is valid and will remain so during the 6-12 month processing period. File for extension proactively if needed.
What you need (What do you need for Form PR Application?)
#- The current edition of PR Application
- Proof of identity
- Photos meeting specifications
- Complete all required sections, sign, and submit with required evidence.
- 3-5 years of municipal tax certificates
- National pension payment records
- Guarantor documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Spouse's family register
- Tax and pension records
Checklist (What is the Form PR Application checklist?)
#- Access the latest PR Application form and accompanying instructions directly from the official ISA website.
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of PR Application
- Sign, date, and submit PR Application with all required supporting evidence
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing FeeThe standard filing fee for form pr application. Check the current fee on the official ISA fee schedule. | See official schedule |
Can the Form PR Application fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
ISA will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility. For related guidance, see Application for Extension of Period of.
Fees change; always verify on ISA.
Processing times
#| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Short-term Stay (Standard) | approximately 5 daysas of February 2026 |
| Work / Long-term without CoE | 1 to 3 monthsas of February 2026 |
- Processing time for PR Application under "Short-term Stay (Standard)": approximately 5 days (as of February 2026).
- Processing time for PR Application under "Work / Long-term without CoE": 1 to 3 months (as of February 2026).
- Processing times for PR Application vary by category and processing location. Verify current processing times with the issuing authority.
- Processing times differ significantly by eligibility category. Initial applications, renewals, and replacements each go through different adjudication queues, and some categories consistently take longer than others.
- Processing times for this form vary by ISA office and current workload. Verify current processing times with ISA.
- While pending: track your case status using your application reference number, respond promptly to any requests for additional documents, and update your contact information with ISA if it changes.
Where to file
#Submit your application at the designated ISA office, embassy, or consulate. Check the official website for the location with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Submit application
Submit your application at the ISA office or designated embassy/consulate in your country of residence. Check the official instructions for the correct location.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official ISA website before submitting. For related guidance, see Re-entry Permit Application.
Form sections (What sections does Form PR Application have?)
#Personal Information
Biographical details and residence history.
- Full name, date of birth, and nationality
- Residence card number and current address
- Complete residence history in Japan (dates, addresses, statuses)
Employment and Financial Details
Evidence of economic stability and contribution.
- Current employer, job title, and annual income
- Employment history in Japan
- Assets and savings documentation
Tax and Pension Compliance
Proof of consistent tax and social insurance payments.
- Municipal tax payment certificates for 3-5 years (課税証明書, 納税証明書)
- National pension payment records
- Health insurance enrollment confirmation
Guarantor Information
Details about your Japanese guarantor (身元保証人).
- Guarantor's name, relationship to applicant, and nationality
- Guarantor's occupation and annual income
- Guarantor's tax certificates and letter of guarantee
Choose your path
#Choose your path based on your eligibility category. Each block summarizes who qualifies, what to file, common mistakes, and typical processing time.
Standard (10+ Years Residence)
standard
Foreign nationals with 10+ years of continuous residence in Japan, including 5+ years on a work or family status, with full tax and pension compliance.
File with:
- 3-5 years of municipal tax certificates
- National pension payment records
- Guarantor documentation
Common mistakes:
- Incomplete tax or pension payment history over the required period
Typical processing: 6-12 months
Spouse of Japanese National
spouse_of_japanese
Spouses of Japanese nationals with 3+ years of marriage and 1+ year of continuous residence in Japan, offering a simplified path to permanent residence.
File with:
- Marriage certificate
- Spouse's family register
- Tax and pension records
Common mistakes:
- Applying before meeting the minimum residence and marriage duration requirements
Typical processing: 6-12 months
Highly Skilled (HSFP Points-Based Fast Track)
highly_skilled
Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals scoring 70+ or 80+ points on the HSFP scale, eligible for permanent residence after 3 years (70+ points) or 1 year (80+ points).
File with:
- HSFP point calculation sheet
- Employer documentation
- Tax and pension records
Common mistakes:
- Miscalculating HSFP points or not providing evidence for claimed point categories
Typical processing: 6-12 months
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete tax or pension payment history | Rejection | Obtain 3-5 years of tax certificates and national pension payment records before filing. Pay any outstanding amounts first. |
| Insufficient period of continuous residence | Rejection | Verify you meet the 10-year requirement (or HSP fast-track). Temporary absences are acceptable but extended time abroad may break continuity. |
| Missing or unqualified guarantor | Delay | Secure a guarantor who is a Japanese national or permanent resident with stable income. Prepare their tax and income documentation in advance. |
| Current status has lapsed or is about to expire | Rejection | Ensure your current status is valid and will remain so during the 6-12 month processing period. File for extension proactively if needed. |
| Criminal record or undisclosed immigration violations | Rejection | Disclose any past violations honestly. Undisclosed issues discovered during review result in automatic denial. |
Examples (What are examples for Form PR Application?)
#- Strong application: An applicant submits the form with all required documents and receives a timely decision.
- Common weakness: Applicant submits the form without municipal tax payment certificates, leading to delays.
- Incomplete application: An applicant submits the form without including proof of identity, resulting in a request for additional documentation and processing delays.
- A foreign national who has been granted permanent residence applies through PR Application for their residence card or permit
- A permanent resident whose card is expiring files PR Application to renew it before travel
- An applicant in the Permanent-residence category files PR Application as part of their immigration process
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form PR Application?)
#- Japanese permanent residence does not grant citizenship or voting rights — it only permits indefinite stay
- Permanent residents must still carry their residence card (zairyū card) at all times
- Extended absence from Japan can result in loss of permanent residence status — re-entry permits are required for trips abroad
- Paying the PR APPLICATION filing fee does not guarantee acceptance — the fee is generally non-refundable even when the form is rejected for technical errors.
- A fee waiver for PR APPLICATION is not automatic — only specific qualifying categories are eligible, and a waiver request can be denied while the underlying form is still expected to be filed.
- Processing time for PR APPLICATION is not one-size-fits-all — different categories see very different timelines (for example, Short-term Stay (Standard) runs about approximately 5 days, while Work / Long-term without CoE runs about 1 to 3 months).
Edge cases and variations
#- If you are asked to submit or update PR Application, treat it as a package update: check every place the same details appear and keep them consistent.
In-depth guidance
#How to complete this form reliably
Treat PR Application as part of a system, not a standalone document. Most delays happen when details conflict across the form, supporting documents, and other parts of the application package. Before you start, gather the documents you will reference and decide which one is the source of truth for each field.
Fill the form in one sitting if possible. Partially-completed forms are where inconsistent edits creep in. When you finish, review each section and ask "what evidence in my package proves this statement?"
Scenarios
#A Chinese engineer has worked in Japan for 12 years, paid all taxes, maintained pension payments, and has their Japanese employer as guarantor. They apply with 5 years of tax certificates.
Permanent residence is granted in 8 months. The applicant receives a permanent residence card with no restrictions on activities.
Long-term compliance and thorough documentation make the process straightforward for established residents.
A Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) with 85 points applies after just 1 year of residence, providing the HSP point calculation sheet, employer documentation, and complete tax records.
Approved in 6 months under the fast-track HSP pathway.
The HSP fast-track is significantly faster. Check if you qualify for 70+ or 80+ points before assuming you need the full 10-year requirement.
An applicant with 10 years of residence discovers they missed 6 months of national pension payments 3 years ago.
Application is denied due to pension payment gaps. The applicant must pay all arrears, wait for fresh 3-year clean records, and reapply.
Pension compliance is non-negotiable. Set up automatic payments and check records annually.
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form COE APPLICATION: Certificate of Eligibility Application: Next step after approval: PR after long-term residence on work/family status (Permanent residence pathway)
- Unlike Form EXTENSION OF STAY: Application for Extension of Period of Stay: Next step after approval: PR application after years of extensions (Permanent residence pathway)
- Unlike Form RESIDENCE CARD: Residence Card Renewal Application: PR approval results in new residence card (Permanent residence pathway)
What happens after you submit
#- Application receipt (受付票) is issued by the ISA.
- The application is reviewed for completeness and accuracy.
- The applicant may be asked to provide additional documents if needed.
- A decision is made and communicated to the applicant.
- If approved, the applicant receives a Residence Card at the Immigration Services Agency office.
Verification
#This guide is derived from official ISA instructions for PR Application and is updated when form editions or filing rules change. Always verify current requirements at the official ISA website.