永住ガイドラインの改定～5年ビザ必須へ～

今まで永住審査では、「3年ビザ（在留期間3年の在留資格）」を最長の在留期間として取り扱う運用をしてきましたが、永住ガイドラインが改訂され、2027年4月1日以降は「5年ビザ」が必須になります。

これまでは、例えば、日本人の配偶者等の3年ビザ、技術・人文知識・国際業務の３年ビザの人たちは永住申請ができましたが、2027年4月1日以降は5年ビザを持っていなければ永住申請をする資格がなくなります。

一般的に、日本人の配偶者や本邦中小企業／ベンチャー企業で働く人は、５年ビザの取得は難しく、この属性の人たちに影響が出そうです。5年ビザを獲得するために、日本人の配偶者等や技術・人文知識・国際業務の在留資格であっても、可能であれば高度専門職への変更を検討する必要が出る可能性があります。他方で、本邦上場会社や大企業の勤務者など原則5年ビザが出やすい人たちにはあまり影響はないと考えられます。

また、現在、日本語要件の設定や手数料の大幅な増額なども検討されている最中ですので、アップデートがあればこちらのサイトでご案内していきます。

Japan to require five-year visas for permanent residency applications from 2027

Japan will require foreign nationals to hold a five-year visa in order to apply for permanent residency from April 1, 2027, under revised permanent residency guidelines that mark a significant tightening of the country’s immigration screening framework.

Until now, Japanese immigration authorities had effectively treated a three-year visa as sufficient for meeting the requirement of holding the “longest period of stay” in permanent residency examinations. But under the revised rules, that benchmark will shift to a five-year visa, raising the bar for a wide range of applicants.

The change is expected to affect foreign residents who, under the current system, have been able to seek permanent residency with a three-year status of residence. That includes, for example, holders of a three-year Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa, as well as those on a three-year Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa.

From April 2027, however, those applicants will no longer qualify to file for permanent residency unless they first secure a five-year visa.

The revision is likely to have the greatest impact on groups that have historically faced more difficulty obtaining a five-year period of stay. Among them are spouses of Japanese nationals and foreign professionals working for small and medium-sized enterprises or venture companies in Japan, where longer visa periods are not always granted with ease.

For those individuals, the policy shift could make long-term immigration planning far more important. In some cases, even applicants currently residing in Japan under a spouse visa or a work visa may need to consider switching to the Highly Skilled Professional status, if eligible, in order to improve their chances of obtaining the five-year visa now required for a permanent residency filing.

By contrast, the impact may be less pronounced for foreign nationals employed by listed companies or major Japanese corporations, who are generally more likely to receive five-year visas under existing practice.

The revision also comes as broader changes to Japan’s permanent residency system are under discussion, including the possible introduction of a Japanese-language requirement and a substantial increase in application fees.

For many foreign residents, the latest change may be more than a technical revision. It could reshape the timeline, and in some cases the entire strategy, for those hoping to build a permanent future in Japan.

Masakazu Murai
Administrative Scrivener specializing in Japanese immigration law

Professional

Masakazu Murai
18 years’ experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley (JV, MUFG Bank and Morgan Stanley). He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.

During his tenure, he worked as an employee union executive committee member in promoting diversity, including the active participation of foreigners and women in the office, and engaged in activities to improve the working environment. He specializes in financial consulting and VISA/PR consulting.

Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship