Living in Japan long-term as a foreigner often starts with a temporary visa — but for many international families, Permanent Residency (PR) becomes the ultimate goal, just like us – American x Japanese married couple. We got our PR approved in January 2026!
In this article, I’m sharing our real experience applying for Permanent Residency in Japan, including:
- Our timeline from application to approval
- Required documents we submitted
- How PR is different from a Spouse Visa
- Tips based on what actually mattered in our case
This article explains how to get permanent residency in Japan, including eligibility, application timeline, required documents, and our real experience transitioning from a spouse visa.
What Is Permanent Residency (PR) in Japan?
Permanent Residency allows foreign nationals to live in Japan without visa renewal limits and with far more freedom than temporary visas.
With PR, you can:
- Live and work in Japan without visa expiration
- Change jobs freely – because your visa is not sponsored by your employer
- Apply for loans and housing more easily
- Build long-term stability for your family
For many people, PR is the most practical alternative to Japanese citizenship.
PR vs Spouse Visa: What’s the Difference?
Before applying for PR, we lived in Japan on a Spouse Visa, which allowed us (my foreign husband) to stay legally but required regular renewals and documentation.
| Spouse Visa | Permanent Residency |
| Renewal every 1–5 years | No renewal needed |
| Dependent on marriage status | Independent status |
| More paperwork over time | Long-term stability |
| Temporary residence | Permanent residence |
👉 If you’re still in the Spouse Visa stage, you may want to read our full experience here:
How to Apply for a Spouse Visa in Japan (Real Experience & Timeline)
Who Is Eligible for Permanent Residency in Japan?
Eligibility depends on your situation, but common pathways include:
- Having good conduct, complying with Japanese laws and regulations, and demonstrating stable residence in Japan
- Being married to a Japanese national for several years
- Long-term residence in Japan with a stable income
- Consistently paying taxes and social insurance
- Demonstrating stability in daily life and employment
There is no guaranteed timeline, and approval is based on a holistic review rather than a single factor.
Permanent Residency Japan Timeline (Our Real Example)
We had lived in Japan on a spouse visa for over three years when we decided to apply for permanent residency.
Our Spouse Visa History
- August 2022 – Received a Spouse Visa (1 year)
- August 2023 – Renewed Spouse Visa (1 year)
- August 2024 – Renewed Spouse Visa (3 years)
Our Permanent Residency Application Timeline
Here’s how our PR application unfolded:
- August 2025 – PR application submitted
- September–November 2025 – Waiting period
- December 2025 – Additional documents requested
- January 2026 – Approval! Permanent Residency granted 🎉
The process required patience, but everything moved forward smoothly. We were not asked to attend any interviews or in-person follow-ups.
Documents We Submitted for PR Application
While requirements vary by case, these are examples of documents we prepared:
- PR application form
- Picture 4cm x 3cm
- Koseki Tohon – of Japanese spouse
- Juminhyo – Residence certificate
- Proof of income and employment – we got a “Zaishoku Shomeisho (Certificate of employment)” from applicant = my husband’s company
- Proof of income and tax payment for the latest 3 years
- the payment status of public pension and public health insurance premiums for the applicant and their dependents
- List of applicant’s relatives
- Present your passport or certificate of residence status
- Present your residence card
- Reference documents
- Present identification documents
- Letter of understanding
💡 Tip: Accuracy and consistency matter more than volume.
What Actually Helped Our PR Application
From our experience, these factors seemed especially important:
- Stable life in Japan (housing, work, family)
- Consistent tax and insurance payments
- Clear explanation of long-term plans
- A realistic, honest application (no exaggeration)
PR is not about perfection — it’s about credibility and continuity.
Is Permanent Residency Worth It?
For us, YES — absolutely.
PR removed long-term uncertainty and made life planning much easier, especially as an international family raising a child in Japan.
If you plan to live in Japan for the long run, PR offers peace of mind that temporary visas simply don’t.
If you’re wondering how long permanent residency takes in Japan, the waiting period can range from several months to over a year depending on your case.
Final Thoughts: From Spouse Visa to PR
Our journey from Spouse Visa renewals to Permanent Residency took time, preparation, and patience — but it was worth it.
If you’re currently on a Spouse Visa, PR may feel far away, but each renewal and year of stable life brings you closer.
👉 Start here if you haven’t yet: How to Apply for a Spouse Visa in Japan – Real Experience & Timeline
I hope this article helps you understand what Permanent Residency in Japan really looks like — beyond official explanations.
