📋 Draft Revision of PR Guidelines — Open for Comment

❓ What Changes?

On August 4, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) published a draft revision of its Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission and opened public comment. The draft expands the guidelines from under one page to 13 pages in 6 chapters, stating for the first time that permanent residency, as "the most stable legal status," requires "particularly careful screening." The independent-livelihood requirement checks whether household income continuously exceeds the average income of Japanese households of the same size (a higher bar) and, newly, the applicant's projected pension. The national-interest requirement adds Japanese ability at CEFR B1, understanding of Japan's systems and rules, and school enrollment of school-age children. The special track for spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents is extended from 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence to 5 and 3 years. The revision applies to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027; the income and public-burden items also apply to applications filed within 6 months before the revision date (planned for October 2026) and to cases pending on that date.

👥 Who Is Affected?

• ●Foreign residents planning to apply for permanent residency (applies to applications from April 1, 2027)
• ●For the income and public-burden items: those who applied within 6 months before the revision date (planned Oct 2026) and cases pending on that date
• ●Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or special permanent residents (special track extended to 5 and 3 years; public-burden is also assessed)
• ●Highly Skilled Professional tracks remain: 70+ points with 3 years' residence, 80+ points with 1 year
• ●Those who already hold permanent residency are not screened under this draft

🌏 Impact on Foreign Residents

The bar for permanent residency rises significantly. Income must continuously exceed the average of Japanese households of the same size, and projected pension amounts are newly checked. Japanese at B1 level and school enrollment of children also become screening factors, so preparation takes time. Note that the income and public-burden items may apply retroactively from the revision date (planned October 2026) without waiting for April 2027. This is still a draft — anyone can submit comments via e-Gov until September 3.