I am Teruyoshi Yoneda, the representative of Yoneda Legal Servives and a certified immigration procedures specialist. My office specializes in international matters such as visa and naturalization applications. Based mainly in Hiroshima Prefecture, we support foreign nationals living in Japan with various immigration procedures, including work visas, spouse visas, permanent residency applications, and naturalization.In this article, I will explain the documents required when a foreign national who is married to a Japanese citizen applies for permanent residency.
A person residing in Japan with permanent resident status is not subject to restrictions on their activities in Japan, nor is there any limit on their period of stay. Since the examination for permanent residency is the final screening conducted by the immigration authorities for the foreign national in question, it is carried out with greater strictness. For this reason, various documents must be prepared when applying for permanent residency in Japan. Here, we explain the documents required when a foreign national married to a Japanese citizen applies for permanent residency.
Basic Required Documents
① Application for Permanent Residence
The designated form prescribed by the Immigration Services Agency must be used.
②Photograph (4 cm × 3 cm)
As a general rule, the photo must have been taken within the past six months. If you use the same photo as the one on your previous residence card or passport, the immigration office may instruct you to retake it and attach a different one, so please be careful.
③Residence Card
④Passport
⑤Chronological Record
You will need to provide information on your residence history, educational background, employment history, and any changes in your personal status.
⑥Statement of Reasons
You should describe the reasons why you are applying for permanent residency. The key point is to explain how you meet the requirements by following the structure of the Permanent Residency Guidelines. If there are any aspects of the requirements or supporting documents that may raise questions, you should provide a detailed explanation in the statement. If there are documents that you are unable to submit, you must also explain the reasons for that.
⑦Certificate of Residence (Jūminhyō)
You must obtain a full version of the Certificate of Residence for all household members, with no omissions.Only the Resident Code and Individual Number (My Number) may be omitted.
⑧Copy of the Residential Lease Agreement
If you are renting your residence, you must submit a copy of your lease agreement.
⑨ Photographs of Your Residence
You must submit photographs of the exterior of your residence, the entrance, the kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom.
⑩Certificate of Registered Matters for Land and Buildings (if you own real property)
This document is required regardless of whether the property is used as a residence or for investment purposes, and it must be submitted not only when the applicant owns the property but also when any cohabiting family member is the owner.
⑪Copies of Bank Passbooks or a Bank Balance Certificate
These documents are submitted as proof of your financial assets. They help demonstrate your economic stability.
⑫Certificate of Graduation or a Copy of Your Diploma from Your Highest Level of Education
If you graduated from a university or other institution in your home country, a translation of your graduation certificate is required.
⑬Copies of Certificates for Any Qualifications You Hold
You should submit this document if it applies to you.
⑭Snapshot Photographs
You must submit at least three snapshot photographs showing you together with your family members, colleagues, or your guarantor.
⑮Letter of Guarantee
As a general rule, you should ask someone who is a Japanese citizen, a permanent resident, or a special permanent resident living in Japan to act as your guarantor.
⑯Documents Related to the Guarantor
You must submit a document that verifies the personal details of your guarantor, such as a copy of their driver’s license or residence card.
⑰Letter of Consent
A Letter of Consent is a document in which you agree to promptly report to the immigration office if there are any changes in your employment, family situation, tax status, or other relevant circumstances during the period between submitting your application and receiving the result. The form can be obtained from the Immigration Services Agency’s website.
⑱List of Relatives
● For company employees (the applicant or the person who supports them)＊These will be required in addition to the items listed above.
①Certificate of Employment
It must be issued within the past three months. Please have your company issue the certificate.
②Withholding Tax Certificate
Prepare the withholding tax certificates for the past three to five years.
③Pay Slips
Prepare the pay slips for the most recent three months.
● For company employees (the applicant or the person who supports them)＊These will be required in addition to the items listed above.
①Company Profile
Submit the company profile of the business you manage.
②Certificate of Registered Corporate Information
This document must be submitted if you operate a company. It is also required when someone living in the same household operates a company. You can obtain it from the Legal Affairs Bureau.
③Copy of the Articles of Incorporation
Submit a copy of the Articles of Incorporation for the company you manage.
④Copy of the Business License
Submit a copy of the business license required for your operations.
Tax-Related Documents
①Certificate of Municipal Taxation (or Non‑Taxation) for the Past Three Years
Please make sure that there are no unpaid or late payments.
②Certificate of Resident Tax Payment for the Past Three Years
Please make sure that there are no unpaid or late payments.
③Documents that certify you have paid your resident tax on time for the past three years.
If there are any periods within the past three years during which your resident tax was not withheld from your salary (special collection), you must submit documents for those periods. If your resident tax has been withheld from your salary for the entire past three years, these documents are not required. Please make sure that there are no unpaid or late payments.
④Tax Payment Certificate No. 3
This document certifies that you have no outstanding taxes for the following five tax categories:①Withholding income tax and special reconstruction income tax②Self‑assessed income tax and special reconstruction income tax③Consumption tax and local consumption tax④Inheritance tax ⑤Gift tax.It can be obtained at the tax office.
● For company employees (the applicant or the person who supports them)＊These will be required in addition to the items listed above.
⑤Copies of Corporate Tax Returns (for the most recent three fiscal years)
Submit copies of the corporate tax returns (taxpayer’s copies) for the company you manage.
Social Insurance Documents
① Copies of the Health Insurance Cards for All Household Members (front and back)
Please make a copy of your health insurance card.
②Certificate of National Health Insurance Tax Payment (Past Two Years)
You need to obtain this document only if you are enrolled in the National Health Insurance program. It is not required if you are covered by your company’s health insurance.
③Copies of Receipts for National Health Insurance Premium Payments (Past Two Years)
You need to obtain this document only if you are enrolled in the National Health Insurance program. It is not required if you are covered by your company’s health insurance.
④“Nenkin Teikibin” or the Pension Record for Each Month from Nenkin Net (for Employees Enrolled in Employees’ Pension Insurance, etc.)
You must submit a document that shows your complete pension record for the entire period of your enrollment. Although a postcard‑style “Nenkin Teikibin” exists, it does not display your full history and therefore cannot be used as a submission document. You can obtain the required record by registering on the Japan Pension Service website.
⑤Copy of Receipts for National Pension Premium Payments (for those enrolled in the National Pension)
This document is required if you were enrolled in the National Pension at any time during the past two years.
● For company employees (the applicant or the person who supports them)＊These will be required in addition to the items listed above.
①Copies of Receipts for Health Insurance and Employees’ Pension Insurance Premiums
This document is required when the applicant is the owner of a business covered by social insurance. You must submit receipts for the most recent two years.If you are unable to provide these receipts, you must submit either a Certificate of Social Insurance Premium Payment or Application for Confirmation of Social Insurance Premium Payment instead.These documents can be obtained from the Pension Office.
②Certificate of Social Insurance Premium Payments for the Past Two Years, or Social Insurance Premium Payment Confirmation (Application) Form
Documents specifically required from the Japanese spouse for the permanent residency application
① Family Register (Koseki Tohon – Full Certificate of All Registered Matters) of the Japanese Spouse
②Marriage certificate issued by the authorities of the applicant’s home country
To obtain permanent residency, it is essential to demonstrate that you meet the required criteria by submitting these documents, which address the key points of the examination process.At our office, we carefully assess each applicant’s situation through thorough consultations and provide guidance on the necessary documents tailored to individual circumstances.
