Permanent Residency - from start to finish (good and bad)

[koppojutsuka]

How crazy. So no one knows what the tax document from the local ward office is called in japanese? I was hoping some of the people who have been through the application procedure could help me out. My wife has offered to go pick it up for me (I work so it is hard for me to do so) and just wanted me to tell her what the japanese term for the document is. Anyone? Bueller? anyone?

[Harp]

I think you need a shi-kemnimzei kazeishomeisho 市・県民税課税証明書

see this thread http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?t=53297
for more details about supporting documents for PR

[koppojutsuka]

I think you need a shi-kemnimzei kazeishomeisho 市・県民税課税証明書

see this thread http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?t=53297
for more details about supporting documents for PR

You are a legend among the likes of men. (Would it sound better for you if I used 'women' instead of 'men'?)

[aasadr]

Sorry for interuptting.　You and your guarantor should submit up-to-date Nozei shomeshou.納税書 as
tax payment certificate.
Else after 3 months you will get a post card to submit them.　Kazei hikazei is not acceptable.

[sailor]

What happens If I get PR and then decide to live outside Japan for a long time? Any problems? For example,

1) I should come to Japan every 3 years to get a new renetry permit and every 5 years to renew alien registration card, right? I will not have residence address in Japan, because I do not want to pay rent. Is it possible to get new renetry permit and renew alien registration card without residing in Japan? City hall will ask my address for renewing alien registration card, right? What happens if I do not have an address in Japan?
2) If I work outside Japan, should I pay tax to Japan for my income and property in overseas? How? Do they send the tax forms to overseas address? What if my country has "Japan Double Taxation Prevention" treaty with Japan?
3) Should I pay nenkin?
4) Any other possible problems when having PR and not living in Japan?

[Glenski]

What happens If I get PR and then decide to live outside Japan for a long time? Any problems? For example,

1) I should come to Japan every 3 years to get a new renetry permit and every 5 years to renew alien registration card, right?

I believe it's 7 years for the alien card now.

I will not have residence address in Japan, because I do not want to pay rent.

Then what is the purpose of being called a Permanent Resident?

Is it possible to get new renetry permit and renew alien registration card without residing in Japan?

I don't think so.

City hall will ask my address for renewing alien registration card, right?

Probably.

What happens if I do not have an address in Japan?

No idea but it doesn't really sound promising to me.

2) If I work outside Japan, should I pay tax to Japan for my income and property in overseas? How? Do they send the tax forms to overseas address? What if my country has "Japan Double Taxation Prevention" treaty with Japan?

Where do you plan to work? Might make a difference.

3) Should I pay nenkin?

"Should" you? Uh, yes.

[sailor]

I believe it's 7 years for the alien card now.

Yes, it is 7 years for PR.

Then what is the purpose of being called a Permanent Resident?

If I get PR, it will allow me to come back to Japan and live without worrying about visa in the future.

[Glenski]

If I get PR, it will allow me to come back to Japan and live without worrying about visa in the future.

Just when do you plan to come back? Your original post made it sound like you want to spend as much time away from Japan as possible.

[sailor]

Yeah, I may need to be away from Japan for some years due to some family problems, but I will come back.

[ひさしぶり]

I applied for PR June 2009. Got a rejection notice delivered January 2010. Went in to ask the reason fir rejection and was told that in 2007 I was late by 5 days to extent my spouse visa.

Never be late with your visa extensions! Ever!

I got divorced while the PR application was pending but they didn't know about anything about that. Now I'm waiting for my Long Term Resident (Teijuuken) one to come through...

Good luck everyone.

May the force be with you.

That was fast.

I mean real fast!

Picked up my Long Term Residence Visa/Permit today.

They only gave me the one year one though...

[Kevbodian]

from here

Legal requirements
(1) The person is of good conduct.
The person observes Japanese laws and his/her daily living as a resident does not invite any social criticism.
(2) The person has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living.
The person does not financially depend on someone in the society in his daily life, and his/her assets or ability, etc. are assumed to continue to provide him/her with a stable base of livelihood into the future.
(3) The person’s permanent residence is regarded to be in accord with the interests of Japan.
In principle, the person has stayed in Japan for more than 10 years consecutively. It is also required that during his/her stay in Japan the person has had work permit or the status of residence for more than 5 years consecutively.
The person has been never sentenced to a fine or imprisonment. The person fulfills public duties such as tax payment.
The maximum period of stay allowed for the person with his/her current status of residence under Annexed Table 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is to be fully utilized.
There is no possibility that the person could do harm from the viewpoint of protection of public health.

※ The requirements (1) and (2) above do not apply to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents, and requirement (2) does not apply for those who have been recognized as refugees

Special requirements for 10-year residence in principle

(1) The person is a spouse of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has been in a real marital relationship for more than 3 years consecutively and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively. Or, the person is a true child of a Japanese national, special permanent resident or permanent resident, and has stayed in Japan more than 1 year consecutively.
(2) The person has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years consecutively with the status of long term resident.
(3) The person has been recognized as a refugee, and has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years consecutively after recognition.
(4) The person has been recognized to have made a contribution to Japan in diplomatic, social, economic, cultural or other fields, and has stayed in Japan for more than 5 years.
※ Please see “Guidelines for Contribution to Japan.”

Am I correct in reading this as even though I am married to a Japanese national, I still need to reside in Japan for at least 5 years consecutively before applying for PR? Or does section (1) of the "Special requirements for 10-yer residence in principle" say the otherwise?

I ask because as usual the English is not clear.

[PageOne]

from here



Am I correct in reading this as even though I am married to a Japanese national, I still need to reside in Japan for at least 5 years consecutively before applying for PR? Or does section (1) of the "Special requirements for 10-yer residence in principle" say the otherwise?

I ask because as usual the English is not clear.

Nabbed from another site.

A spouse of a Japanese national needs to have lived in Japan for not less than three years after marriage.

or

In case such person married and lived with the spouse for certain time period in a foreign country, such person needs to have married the spouse for more than three years and stayed in Japan for not less than one year.

*********

Fulfilling the above alone does not guarantee a successful application.
It is still very much case by case.
I have heard on more than one occasion that you need to be on the longest form of Spouse Resident Status (3 year version at present) to be considered for PR.
The Spouse Resident Status comes in three flavors 6-months, 12-months and 3-years.

*********

So if this is the case.
I suppose it could stretch out the time before being successful if you aren't / weren't initially given a 3-year status which is quite often the case.

=======

My experience with Spouse to PR was a long time ago and the 10-year rule was the only rule back then.
As I recall it was: 6-months - 6-months - 12-months - 12-months - 12-months - 3-years - 3-years . I applied for PR during the second half of my final 3-year.
I had already had 12-months of residency up my sleeve before going onto Spouse status.
Oh happy memories......

[bland]

from here
Am I correct in reading this as even though I am married to a Japanese national, I still need to reside in Japan for at least 5 years consecutively before applying for PR? Or does section (1) of the "Special requirements for 10-yer residence in principle" say the otherwise?

I ask because as usual the English is not clear.

The confusion is caused by the translation.

The line:

2. Special requirements for 10-year residence in principle

is more accurately translated as:

2. (Special) exemptions to the 10-year residence requirement

See this thread:

Waiting for Perm Res visa. Easy to renew spouse visa while waiting?
http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthrea...878#post265878
(post #19)

[jerr]

Hi

I was going through all the threads regarding PR and have a question.
Do we need to stay in japan for 10 Consecutive years to apply for a PR ?
or a break of 3 years is also considered while applying ?
Anybody has got a PR considering above cases (with non-japanese spouse) ?

[iago]

Hi

I was going through all the threads regarding PR and have a question.
Do we need to stay in japan for 10 Consecutive years to apply for a PR ?
or a break of 3 years is also considered while applying ?
Anybody has got a PR considering above cases (with non-japanese spouse) ?

The time in Japan must be consecutive. No breaks. If you leave, the clock resets.

10 years is a guideline, not an absolute requirements, though the guideline generally appears to be followed for the J-spouseless.

[let`s talk]

Hi

I was going through all the threads regarding PR and have a question.
Do we need to stay in japan for 10 Consecutive years to apply for a PR ?
or a break of 3 years is also considered while applying ?
Anybody has got a PR considering above cases (with non-japanese spouse) ?

Your question is rather general, withiout any info about what your current visa is. If you have any immigration/tax/criminal-law-breaking episodes, nobody will be able to give an answer online. Assumed that you are a good guy who never breaks any law, the 10-year living is not a standard requirement. It could be less, like 7 or 8 years, etc. At the same time there are a lot of people who have been living in Japan for more than 10-years and they got rejected for PR.

[arigato_japan]

1) I should come to Japan every 3 years to get a new renetry permit and every 5 years to renew alien registration card, right?

I believe it's 7 years for the alien card now.

Hi Glenski & all,

I have the same question that Sailor has asked and would like to know...

Being a PR who has to live abroad for some time (let's say 5-6 years), do you need to come back after 3 years to renew your Re-entry? Or since you are PR, by definition you don't need a Re-entry permit?

[Sira]

Under the current laws, you still need a re-entry permit even if you have PR.

[sakura2005]

If you're abroad and cannot come back but your re-entry is expiring in a few months, you can go to the Japanese consulate and request an extension. They'll give you 6 months or 1 year. I heard this from a person who actually did it.

[Robert2]

Hi all,
Why is this thread sleeping? Has anyone got postcard recently?
I myself applied on mid of january and waiting for postcard.
Anyone who applied on january, got any contract or postard?
I would like to hear from others.... Please update !!

[curing]

Relatively painless process but be prepared to wait---- they do say 6-12 months and , in my case 10.

Background: spousal visa since 2006(1yr-3yr-middle of yr when granted PR); married for almost 7.

[ShonanGaijin]

Great thread, thanks to TRIPster for starting it!

I applied for my PR today. I applied at the recently moved office in Torihama near the Bayside Marina. It used to be in Ishikawa-cho in Yokohama. The new place was nearly empty at 9:30 AM, after I took my number it was immediately called. I handed over the paperwork and was out within 5 minutes.

I have been married to a Japanese national for 25 years. We lived in the US until 2 years ago. I just completed my 2nd year of a 3 year spouse visa. The immigration lady said I should have an answer before the spouse visa runs out. I'll keep you posted on how things turn out.

I just got my postcard yesterday, I was approved! The postcard said to bring my 8,000 yen to the immigration office for the decision, or something like that. It did not directly say I was approved, maybe they do that since a postcard can be read without opening it.

It took just a little over 7 months after the application. I have been living in Japan for about 2 years and 8 months now.

[Wonky]

Hi guys, posted this in another thread but it really belongs in this one.

Does anyone know if the spousal visa is a requirement for PR? I have never seen it listed as a requirement.

My personal situation - Got married in Japan over a decade ago, then went back to USA with the Mrs. We came back in 2007, I am on my second three-year work visa now.

We were talking about the possibility of me getting PR (thinking about buying property) so I am wondering if I'd even be considered.

[CLH]

I presently have a PR, and plan to spend a few years working in Europe and then return to Japan.

I am concerned about the possibility of somehow losing the PR while away from Japan. I know that I have to have a current re-entry permit. Is there anything else I need to do? I have heard that it could be necessary to pay taxes and nenkin, but how does one do that from overseas? (I am also worried about whether I could even afford to pay taxes on my income to two countries).

I will also need to get a 3-year work/residency permit to live in Europe. Would having that in my passport in any way threaten my PR status in Japan?

Thank you very much for any information you might have.

[sudan]

Dear All,
No update since last month...
If you have any good news/bad news, please keep update.

Please keep alive this thread. Its been really a useful thread.

[tokyo12]

Just dropped off the paperwork, Sep 1. So it looks like 6 months is the approx time now?

So that was 2nd May to 18th November, a shade over 6 months.

[crazy1]

Is it compulsory to pay into the pension system and to have Japanese national health insurance if you have PR? Or is it OK to just have those cheaper international insurances?

[crazy1]

"Nah, I got a loan sorted out in the summer whilst my PR was being dealt with by immigration and I was still on the spouse visa".

The situation is different now. Last summer lots of people secured low interest loans from Japanese banks with no money down, even without PR or marriage to a Japanese. However, in the past 4 months or so Japanese banks have made a complete reversal in their lending practices. Now if you are lucky enough to get a home loan from a Japanese bank without PR, you will most likely have to lay down 20%. Additionally, many of the Japanese banks are demanding to see at least a 3 year work history.

In the past few weeks, the megabanks (MUFJ, Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui) have seen their positions totally change and are now experiencing steep losses due to the decline in the Japanese stock market. They went from being cash rich to cash hungry in a very short time and are now seeking 15% recapitalization. I am not sure how this will affect their overall lending activities, but the outlook is not good. Of course, that being said there are always exceptions. I met a client last week with an annual salary of JPY 60 million who had no trouble obtaining low interest financing without PR and no money down.

As for PR, I applied in Tokyo in July and am still waiting for a response.

Very good information here. You are correct about the banks and how strict they've become. They are even stricter now and require more than they ever needed before they'll lend money. While it is possible to get finance without the PR, it's much more difficult these days to do that! Even with the PR it's much more difficult than it was before from what I've heard from friends with the PR. Here's hoping the economy gets better!

[Harp]

Just dropped off the paperwork, Sep 1. So it looks like 6 months is the approx time now?

Yes, probably sometime in February 2011, but saying that it could be shorter (3 months like Glenski) or longer (1 year for a colleague of mine). Don't sweat it, just get on with you life

[koishi]

Yes, probably sometime in February 2011, but saying that it could be shorter (3 months like Glenski) or longer (1 year for a colleague of mine). Don't sweat it, just get on with you life

I applied near the end of August and got the postcard today, so under 4 weeks. Pretty stoked

background: UK Citizen, In country 10yrs continuously, married 4.5 yrs, (1yr, 1yr, and currently on 3yr spouse visa) no kids, collected unemployment benefit at one stage as well. Only started paying health insurance about 2 years ago, never contributed to the pension scheme.

Of my friends who have PR most have waited about 6 months so they are as surprised as me at the speed.

Edit:I did apply at a small regional office so I was probably the only case they had to deal with. The process was pretty straight forward, just fill in the application form and provide all the documents they requested. Because I'm married they didn't require that much info. I let my wife deal with it. On the application form the question, "Reason for applying?" I originally thought this might be a make or break question esp since I don't have kids (which is usually the guaranteed way to get PR). I tried to find out what other people had put down but found nothing useful so in the end I just put: "Because I want to continue living and working in Japan". Nothing extra. I figured immigration has a bunch of boxes to tick and the easier you make their job the easier the process should be. I was figuring the box to be ticked was "wants to keep working". I had gaps in my employment history, and had changed jobs 3 times in under a yr so I thought this would all count against me but I have a solid job now so I guess that's what counts ( non-education related btw). Anyhow if you are applying good luck and if any of my story helps that is cool as well.

Edit part 2: I found out immigration had called my Japanese in-laws house about 10days after I submitted my application. They asked my mother in-law a bunch of questions such as " Do you know who X is?" Is your daughter married to X? I found it interesting that immigration called my in-laws house since we never gave any contact details for them (obviously they pulled the names from the family register we had to submit). Just as well my mother in-law thinks I'm the shidizzle.

[Harp]

I applied near the end of August and got the postcard today, so under 4 weeks. Pretty stoked

background: UK Citizen, In country 10yrs continuously, married 4.5 yrs, (1yr, 1yr, and currently on 3yr spouse visa) no kids, collected unemployment benefit at one stage as well. Only started paying health insurance about 2 years ago, never contributed to the pension scheme.

Of my friends who have PR most have waited about 6 months so they are as surprised as me at the speed.

Edit:I did apply at a small regional office so I was probably the only case they had to deal with. The process was pretty straight forward, just fill in the application form and provide all the documents they requested. Because I'm married they didn't require that much info. I let my wife deal with it. On the application form the question, "Reason for applying?" I originally thought this might be a make or break question esp since I don't have kids (which is usually the guaranteed way to get PR). I tried to find out what other people had put down but found nothing useful so in the end I just put: "Because I want to continue living and working in Japan". Nothing extra. I figured immigration has a bunch of boxes to tick and the easier you make their job the easier the process should be. I was figuring the box to be ticked was "wants to keep working". I had gaps in my employment history, and had changed jobs 3 times in under a yr so I thought this would all count against me but I have a solid job now so I guess that's what counts ( non-education related btw). Anyhow if you are applying good luck and if any of my story helps that is cool as well.

4 weeks! Congratulations, that has got to be a record.

As you say, maybe as it was a small regional office yours is the first PR application they've had for a while so the staff were all interested in it and so processed it quickly.

[JCB]

My permanent residency visa took 5 and a half months to come through. Applied at Shinagawa.

[RadiantBase]

I just put: "Because I want to continue living and working in Japan". Nothing extra.

I would add "with my Japanese spouse". Actually I did it.

[tokyo12]

I thought the Imiigration office would slow down but I just got my postcard..

5 Sep to Apr 3 = 7 months..

Anyone have a handy summary on the benefits of getting a PR, so I can remember?
We still need re-entry permits, right?

[Harp]

I think the benefits are that you don't need to get a new visa every 1 or 3 years and you are free move job etc without changing sponsor (or having to have a sponsor). I don't think there's much more to it...

But yes, you still need a re-entry permit if you are leaving the country and want to return.

[MushiKing]

Have been in Japan for 8 years, married to a Japanese National for 4.

I have a part-time position with an Eikaiwa, combined with stable self-employed teaching (declared for taxes).
I think the self-employed part caused interest, or I was randomly chosen for more detailed investigation.

Funny thing was that Immigration called to my in-laws, but Great Grandma decided to answer the phone.
(Normally she never answers it, as she's 93 years old.) "Huh? Who?? Oh R___'s husband. I know him."
<How often does he visit?> "Not so often." <When did he visit last?> "Shogatsu (New Year's)"
(Other various questions about me...)

Immigration also called to my wife, but our son answered? "Huh? Who?? Oh S____ . I know him."
<Is he home?> "Father is working now." (very formal polite voice according to my wife.) <Does he work
late a lot?> "Yes."
Son Transfers phone to my wife... "Huh? Who?? S____. Yes, he's my husband." <Do you know what he
applied for?> "I think for Spouse Visa." confusion because I just renewed it, and recently talked about
getting re-entry permit for an upcoming vacation. <No Permanent Residency> "Oh, that's right!"
<Do you get along well... are you happy> "Of course!" <Does he work at varying times?> "Yes, his classes
are spread out."

BTW I am totally in favor of detailed investigations of this type. It's good to see immigration doing a thorough job.
I'll post updates as the process continues.

[psych]

Well, here is the final outcome of giving up my PR...

1. After getting my PR, i got divorced (for personal relationship reasons)
2. packed up all of my belongings and headed to Narita to return home
3. surrendered my alien card
a. they gave me a form declaring that i was surrendering the PR
b. immigration asked me, "are you really, really sure?"
c. stamped my visa (just says exiting, not visa cancel) * interesting
4. got to the states, sent my blue pension book.
5. got my pension money - $11,000 worth caused i maxed the pension with all the years i contributed(took exactly 6 months, damn Japanese are very precise!)
6. put money in savings.

yea, i sometimes regret giving it up. i feel that i abandoned my friends... but sometimes i am happy to get out of Japan cause i have a new family. It is just sad sometimes thinking about going to family mart to get the spicy chicken and a beer and walk freely around the neighborhood drinking and listening to my music on my ipod.

It is a great country, but i think that the old Japanese need to become more sensitive to foreigners living there. got tired of being denied opportunities, apartments based on the way i look though i speak Japanese and had a good salary. but like a lot say, if you cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen. and i did. i am so happy to be back at my home, but all of that work to get the PR and learning Japanese has become a waste, but a lifetime experience.

So the question that i have always been asking on this forum for over 2 years, has been answered.

YES, you CAN get your pension. But you MUST surrender your foreign card. BUT, there is a new challenge underway.. As they have NOT stamped "cancelled" on my visa, i wonder if i can get back in on my re-entry permit.

The Yen to Dollar currency rate was wonderful! 970,000 to over $11,000 (something like that)! it helped me start off a new life with a car, tv and other things needed to tend to my family.

[Glenski]

What does it matter if they didn't cancel your reentry permit? You can always return as a tourist. Or did you have new plans now to return to Japan and stay longer than a tourist?

[me2]

What does it matter if they didn't cancel your reentry permit? You can always return as a tourist. Or did you have new plans now to return to Japan and stay longer than a tourist?

He didn't say they didn't cancel his reentry permit, he said they didn't 'cancel his visa' = PR.
So now he is wondering if he can get back into Japan on his previous status.

[frownsarefun]

Is having a job/paying taxes a pre-requisite to gaining PR status? A buddy of mine was talking about applying for PR soon because he is nearing the 3 year married mark with his J-wife. But it made me wonder if it is even a remote possibility because he doesn`t work at all - his wife does, but he doesn`t. So everything will be based on her, I`m guessing. Besides being slightly jealous of his immense free time, I am really wondering if there is a real possibility of gaining PR as a stay-at-home husband.