Japan’s Immigration Services Agency proposes tighter eligibility rules for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals, including requirements tied to applicants’ income and projected pension benefits. Under the proposal announced on Tuesday, applicants would need to maintain income above the average for Japanese households, along with meeting a specified standard for expected pension income. The changes are presented as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s broader agenda to promote an “orderly society” and encourage co-existence between Japanese and foreign residents while stepping up efforts against illegal activities.
The Immigration Services Agency is set to seek public input on the draft guidelines before any implementation. According to reporting, the new rules are planned to take effect in April 2027, pending final approval. The proposal applies to the process for obtaining permanent residency, a status that allows foreign nationals to live in Japan indefinitely without certain activity restrictions associated with other residence statuses. The agency’s draft details how it would assess income and pension-related expectations as part of the screening criteria.
