Annual income and stability are key! How to obtain permanent residency?

Consultation content: I have lived in Japan for over 10 years and would like to obtain permanent residency.

A 35-year-old man from Vietnam came to Japan to study at the age of 21, and after graduating from a vocational school, he got a job at a Japanese import company. After working there for three years, he changed jobs to another import company and has been working there for seven years now on a technical/humanities/international business visa. Last year, he finally obtained a three-year residence status, and now he is aiming to obtain permanent residency. He asked me for advice on what to consider in this situation.

Checkpoint: Important points to check when applying for permanent residency

The points to consider in order to obtain permanent residency are summarized below.

Period of residence status: Your current residence status must be for three or five years.
Stability of annual income: Your annual income for the past three years must be at least 3 million yen and stable.
Delinquent/late payment of taxes: No delinquency or late payment of resident tax, pension, etc. for more than three years.
Amount of savings: It is desirable to have savings of at least 1 million yen.
Company stability: The company you work for is stable and you have been working there for a long time.
Preparing application documents: Prepare documents that prove your financial stability, such as tax withholding slips and bankbooks.

Solution from an administrative scrivener: Steps to confirm annual income and stability for permanent residence

1. Check your residence status and annual income

First, make sure your current residence status is for 3 or 5 years. When applying for permanent residence, stable annual income is important, so your annual income for the past 3 years must be 3 million yen or more and your annual income must be stable. If your annual income is declining, you should be careful as it may raise doubts about the stability of your workplace and your ability.

2. Prepare documents to prove your financial situation

Next, prepare documents to prove your financial stability. Specifically, prepare the following:

Withholding tax slip: This is necessary to prove your income for the past three years.
Copy of bankbook: To prove your savings, show that you have savings of at least 1 million yen.
Other income certificate: If you have bonuses or other income, prepare documents to prove it.

3. Prepare a statement of reasons for permanent residence

The statement of reasons for permanent residence is a very important document to strengthen the contents of your application. In particular, if you wish to change from a working visa to permanent residence, this statement of reasons will be a major factor in the review. Prepare it by including the following contents.

Life history in Japan: Describe in detail your life and activities from your student days to the present.
Reasons for choosing your job and evaluation: Describe why you chose your current job, your role at the company, and your superiors’ evaluation of you.
Reasons for wanting permanent residence: Indicate why you want to live permanently in Japan and your intention to contribute to life in Japan in the future.
Future vision: Describe in detail your life plans after obtaining permanent residency and how you will contribute to society.

4. Final check before submitting documents

Before submitting your application, double-check that all documents are complete and that there are no errors in the information provided. In particular, the letter of reason for permanent residency is an important factor in the screening process, so we recommend that you obtain the advice of an expert when preparing it.

Eligible residence status: Permanent residence

Permanent residence is a residence status that allows you to stay in Japan indefinitely and does not require visa renewal. The necessary documents for this status are basically as follows.

Documents required at the time of application

The following documents are required when applying for permanent residence permission. Please prepare these and proceed with the application.

Permanent residence permission application form: Fill out and submit in the prescribed format.
Statement of reasons for application: Explain in detail the reason for wanting permanent residence and the stability of life in Japan.
Copy of residence card: Submit a copy of both the front and back of the residence card to prove the current residence status.
Tax payment certificate: Attach a document that can verify the tax payment status of the applicant or his/her spouse for the past three years. Obtain it from the city hall or tax office.
Withholding tax certificate: Submit a withholding tax certificate issued by your company to prove your income for the past three years.
Copy of bankbook: Attach a copy of the bankbook showing the applicant’s deposit balance to show that you are financially stable.
Certificate of employment: Submit a document that proves the job duties and annual income at your current employer.
Certificate of non-violence: This is a document to prove that the applicant has no criminal record in Japan or abroad.

Summary: Reliable preparation for obtaining permanent residency is the key to success

In order to obtain permanent residency, financial stability and reliable preparation of documents are important. In particular, annual income and savings are important factors in the screening process, so it is necessary to proceed with preparations based on accurate information. Check your annual income and savings now and prepare the necessary documents. Also, consulting with an administrative scrivener, preparing all the necessary documents without missing anything, and taking the appropriate procedures will increase your chances of obtaining permanent residency.