The Points System in Permanent Residence Screening — Positive Factors and Negative Risks

In permanent residence screening, a variety of factors are assessed comprehensively in addition to the three statutory requirements (good conduct, independent livelihood, and conformity with the national interest). In this article, we sort the “factors evaluated in screening” that can be read from the permanent residence guidelines into “positive factors” and “negative risks.”

The Basic Approach to Permanent Residence Screening

Screening for permanent residence is carried out by the Minister of Justice based on Article 22 of the Immigration Control Act. No specific point allocation is published in the guidelines, but the factors emphasized in screening can be read from the guidelines and from accumulated practice.

Caution: The “positive points” and “negative points” described in this article are simply a plain-language way of expressing evaluation tendencies in screening. They are not an official point system (and are different from the Highly Skilled Professional points system).

Positive Factors

1. A Long Period of Residence

Period of Residence	Evaluation
10 years or more (satisfies the general rule)	Meets the basic requirement
15 years or more	Evaluated as a more stable residence record
20 years or more	Demonstrates the strength of ties with Japanese society

2. Stable, High Income

Income Level	Evaluation
¥3 million (guideline line)	Minimum requirement
¥4–5 million	Evaluated as stable income
¥5 million or more	Sufficient capacity for independent livelihood
Income rising continuously	A favorable indicator of future stability

3. A Flawless Record of Tax and Social Insurance Payments

Following the 2026 revision, this is the most heavily weighted factor.

Status	Evaluation
All taxes and social insurance contributions paid by the due date over the past 5 years	Highest evaluation
Automatic payment via special collection or direct debit	Evaluated as carrying no risk of late payment
Paid in full without delay	Satisfies the basic requirement

4. Japanese Language Ability

Proof of Japanese Ability	Evaluation
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1	Also worth 15 points under Highly Skilled Professional points
JLPT N2	Worth 10 points under Highly Skilled Professional points
Graduation from a Japanese university or graduate school	Evaluated for both Japanese ability and academic background
Record of performing work in Japanese	Can be highlighted in the statement of reasons

5. Social Contribution and Community Activities

Activity	Evaluation
Local volunteer activities	Evaluated as a contribution to Japanese society
Participation in the PTA or neighborhood association	Demonstrates ties to the community
International exchange activities	Evaluated as a cultural contribution
Contribution as a taxpayer	An economic contribution

6. Family Stability

Family Situation	Evaluation
A stable life with family in Japan	Strong ties to Japan
Children attending Japanese schools	Demonstrates an established base of living
Home ownership	An expression of the intention to settle

Negative Risks

1. Excessive Days Spent Outside Japan

Departure Status	Risk
Under 100 days per year	No problem
100–150 days per year	Requires caution — raises doubts about “continuous residence”
150 days or more per year	High risk — a strong possibility of denial
A single departure of 3 months or more	High risk — casts doubt on the continuity of residence

Countermeasure: If you spend a lot of time outside Japan, clarify the reasons for your departures and prepare materials proving that the base of your life is in Japan (residential lease agreement, proof of utility payments, etc.).

2. Frequent Job Changes

Job Change Status	Risk
Long-term employment at the same company	Evaluated as stability
1–2 job changes (career advancement)	No problem
Frequent job changes over short periods	Requires caution — raises doubts about stability of livelihood
Periods of unemployment between jobs	Requires caution — pension and insurance switchovers are also checked

3. Large Fluctuations in Annual Income

Income Fluctuation	Risk
Stable or trending upward	No problem
A temporary decrease (with a reasonable explanation)	No problem if you explain the reason
A significant decrease continuing over time	Requires caution — raises doubts about future stability
Most recent annual income below the guideline	High risk

4. Traffic Violations

Violation Status	Risk
No violation history	No problem
1–2 minor violations (parking violations, etc.)	Usually no problem
3 or more minor violations	Requires caution — affects the good conduct requirement
Speeding violations (exceeding the limit by 30 km/h, etc.)	High risk
Drunk driving	Strong possibility of denial

5. Late Payment of Taxes and Social Insurance Contributions

Payment Status	Risk
All paid by the due date	No problem
1–2 minor delays (a few days)	Requires caution (stricter after the 2026 revision)
Multiple delays	High risk
Periods of non-payment	Strong possibility of denial

Relationship with the Highly Skilled Professional Points System

The Highly Skilled Professional points system is an official point system for shortening the period-of-residence requirement for permanent residence. It is a separate system from the “positive and negative points” of permanent residence screening, but the two are closely related.

Main Items in the Highly Skilled Professional Points

Category	Example Items	Maximum Points
Academic background	Doctorate, master’s degree, bachelor’s degree	30 points
Work history	Years of practical experience	20 points
Annual income	Annual compensation	40 points
Age	The younger the higher (maximum at 29 or under)	15 points
Research achievements	Patents, papers, awards	25 points
Qualifications	Japanese national qualifications, JLPT, etc.	15 points
Special additions	Graduation from a Japanese university, innovation promotion support at the contracting organization	10 points

Reference: Highly Skilled Professional Points System Q&A — Immigration Services Agency of Japan

How to Make an Effective Case in Your Statement of Reasons

The “statement of reasons” in a permanent residence application is an important document for highlighting positive factors and explaining negative risks.

Points to Include

1. How you came to Japan and your history of living here — Highlight the continuity and stability of your residence
2. The stability and prospects of your work — Show the stability of your income and prospects for growth
3. Your family situation — Emphasize that your base of living is in Japan
4. Contributions to Japanese society — Volunteering, community activities, tax payment record
5. Concrete reasons why you want to settle permanently in Japan — Paint a specific picture of the future, not a vague one

Example Structure of a Statement of Reasons

Section	Content
Self-introduction	Nationality, year of arrival in Japan, current residence status
How you came to Japan	Why you came to Japan, your history of living here
Occupation and income	Current work, stability of income, career plan
Family situation	Family composition, children’s education, stability of housing
Involvement with Japanese society	Community activities, volunteering, friendships
Reasons for permanent residence	Concrete reasons for wanting to settle in Japan and your outlook for the future

Handling Negative Risks

In the statement of reasons, where facts exist that could count as negative risks, it is effective to proactively explain the reasons and the corrective measures taken.

Negative Risk	Example Explanation in the Statement of Reasons
Many days spent outside Japan	Explain that the trips were overseas business travel and that the base of your life is in Japan
Job changes	Explain that the changes were for career advancement and that your situation is now stable
Past late payments	Explain the cause and prove that you have since switched to direct debit and have had no delays

Reference: Guidelines on Permission for Permanent Residence (revised February 24, 2026) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan

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