Requirements Regarding Law Violations for Japan Permanent Residency

1. No Violations of Japanese Laws Resulting in Imprisonment, Detention, or Fines

• The permanent residency evaluation strictly requires applicants to have no criminal record involving imprisonment, detention, fines, compulsory labor, or suspended sentences due to violations of Japanese laws.
• If previously sentenced to imprisonment or detention, an applicant must wait for 10 years after release (5 years for suspended sentences) before becoming eligible. For penalties like fines or compulsory labor, there is a required waiting period of 5 years from the date of fine payment or completion of the penalty. Ongoing protective measures under the Juvenile Law also disqualify applicants.
• Serious traffic offenses that may affect PR approval include:
  • Dangerous driving causing death
  • Drunk driving
  • Drug-impaired driving
  • Driving without a valid license
  • Severe speeding violations (30 km/h+ over speed limit on regular roads, or 40 km/h+ on highways)

2. No Repeated Acts of Illegal Activities or Disruptive Behavior

• The PR application review also considers the applicant’s daily and social behavior. Repeated minor violations or disruptive behaviors can negatively impact your evaluation, even if they do not lead to formal criminal penalties.
• Examples of these problematic activities include:
  • Frequent minor traffic violations resulting in administrative fines
  • Dependents on a family visa working over the legal limit (28 hours per week)
  • Multiple warnings or citations for disturbances such as unlawful public demonstrations

Relation between Traffic Violation Fines and Permanent Residency Applications

• Minor traffic violations usually incur a monetary penalty known as a “Blue Ticket,” issued for offenses under 6 points. Paying this ticket does not lead to a criminal record. However, failure to pay fines promptly or repeated violations can escalate to criminal charges, affecting your PR application.
• Frequent minor traffic violations, although not criminal, can signal problematic behavior. Generally, having more than 5 violations within 5 years, or 4 or more within the past 2 years, will negatively affect your permanent residency evaluation. You can confirm your violation history by requesting a driving record from your local police station.

Common Traffic Violations Resulting in Administrative Fines

• Running red lights
• Parking offenses
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Noisy or disruptive driving
• Improper vehicle maintenance (e.g., driving on snowy roads without proper snow tires)

Impact of Serious Offenses on PR Application

Serious offenses such as driving without a license, DUI (drunk driving), and hit-and-run incidents result in severe penalties, including imprisonment or substantial fines. Applicants must wait at least 5 years after fully completing any penalties (including fine payments) before these violations will no longer affect their permanent residency examination.

For detailed information or personalized guidance regarding your permanent residency application in Japan, please consult our specialists at
Continental Immigration.