How long does it take to get a ‘permanent residency’ visa after applying?
Unknown. Could be a year, could be a month.
Despite what you may have read or heard there is no fixed time so don’t worry if you don’t hear anything after a few months.
However if your applying for permanent residency what does a few months matter, you’re not going anywhere right?
One tip though. Don’t leave the country for a holiday or business trip while you are waiting.
For further reading A Guide to Japanese Visas
(As always remember. YMMV - Your mileage may vary)
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November 30th, 2004 at 3:51 pm
WOTS a ‘permanent residency’ visa Steve?
I’ve been here 20+ years and don’t expect to get one for at least 3 more years if ever.
Hint to all Perm Visa wannabes: YMMV and having Japanese children and solid Japanese language ability will help get permanent residency.
March 18th, 2005 at 5:55 pm
Why can’t you leave for a vacation or business trip between filing the perm. res. application and receiving confirmation of getting such status? That is a bit troublesome for those of us working in international business that requires travel.
April 6th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
A call to the proper authorities put my mind at ease: there is no ban on travel while an application is in process. Only if you leave Japan for good (evidenced by returning your gaijin card on departure) will your application be pulled. Short business/personal trips (up to one month, they said) are ok. Of course, check regarding your own status.
December 17th, 2005 at 12:43 am
Could you tell me, about how to get japanese permanent visa.
regards,
Hanny
February 7th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
hello, I am an australian and I have a Japanese wife of one year and I am now applying for a spouse visa to japan.
I have completed all the paper work but I have a criminal record
three years ago I was convicted of missapropration of funds to the value of $1,650 and gien a suspended 9 mth jail sentence. I have not reafended.
Can you tell me my legal situation and the chances of being given a visa even thoughI have a criminal history. Thanks
October 6th, 2006 at 10:11 am
If applying for a permanent residence visa I must prove continuous lawful residence for more than ten years.
What is continuous lawful residence?
I have left Japan once a year for one month for visits back to America. Will that disqualify me?
October 31st, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Does anyone know if you apply for PR and that application was refused, is it possible to keep trying again or is that it?
any advice would be appreciated
Thanks
October 31st, 2006 at 8:45 pm
“If applying for a permanent residence visa I must prove continuous lawful residence for more than x years” means you ought to be in Japan at least 10 months of the year AND you must have a valid, up-to-date “gaijin card” for the entire time.
I know that that “ten years” continuous lawful residence might only be required for foreigners not married to Japanese. Foreigners married to a Japanese have a much shorter period (as little as three years).
Remember: Japan is a “lawless” country in that every immigration procedure is really done a case-by-case basis.
If you get rejected, for a Japanese permanent visa generally it is just because of missing paperwork. You can reapply the next time for visa renewal. If the rejection seems serious–like a felony conviction– ALWAYS get a lawyer before reapplying.
Japan’s phase-of-moon procedures have been changing and are becoming easier. There’s often 3-years between reapplying for a visa and the Immigration Office may have a change of heart.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
hai i am a business manager visa and i am stay japan more than 11 years.i pay my text regularly and have no criminal record and also my business doing well.my company has 6 japanese worker and 3 foriegn worker.but i rejected pr.
they reply the reason thare nai.