Permanent Residency to Married for 3 years, stayed in Japan for 1 year
Permanent Residency for Spouses in Japan: Requirements After 3 Years of Marriage and 1 Year of Residence
Eligibility Path for Foreign Spouses of Japanese Nationals
Foreign nationals married to a Japanese citizen may apply for permanent residency if they have been married for at least three years and have lived in Japan for more than one year. While this route is well-established under Japan’s Immigration Control Act, the application process requires careful planning and accurate documentation.
If you are a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) scoring over 80 points, you may be eligible for permanent residency even without meeting the three-year marriage condition—offering a much faster path.
Key Requirements for Foreign Spouses Applying for PR
1. Duration of Marriage and Residency in Japan
To qualify for permanent residency through a spouse visa, you must have been married for at least three years and resided in Japan for over one year. For example, if you were married overseas for two years and then moved to Japan, you would become eligible after completing one additional year of residence. This timeline satisfies the immigration standard, but documentation must prove genuine marital cohabitation.
2. Visa Status and Validity of Residence Period
One critical requirement is that your spouse visa must have a validity period of three years or more at the time of your PR application. Initial spouse visas are typically issued for just one year, so even if you meet the marriage and residency duration, you must wait until your next renewal for a three-year status.
For those who want to avoid this waiting period, transitioning to a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa can accelerate the PR process significantly.
At Continental Immigration, we’ve helped many clients who were still on one-year spouse visas apply successfully by transitioning to work-based or HSP status.
3. Tax and Residency Documentation
Immigration authorities require both the Certificate of Residence Taxation (住民税課税証明書) and the Certificate of Tax Payment (納税証明書) for the past three years. If you have lived in Japan for less than three years, you may be unable to submit the full documentation, resulting in increased scrutiny. In such cases, supplementary documents and a clear written explanation are essential.
When You Should Seek Expert Immigration Support
Even if you meet the basic criteria, many applicants are rejected due to inadequate documents or lack of explanation. At Continental Immigration, we offer pre-application reviews to assess your eligibility and build a strong, compliant case.
Click here to learn how to obtain a three-year visa status—a key step before applying for PR.
Professional
Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant / Financial Advisor
18 years’ experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley (JV, MUFG Bank + Morgan Stanley). He has provided financial and immigration consulting to over 500 entrepreneurs and senior executives.
During his tenure, he also led workplace diversity efforts, supporting foreign professionals and women in Japan. His expertise lies in complex PR and business visa matters.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA (Certified Member Analyst, Japan)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
MBA in Entrepreneurship (Hosei Business School)
