Permanent Residency Examination: How to speed up?
Japan Permanent Residency
Examination Period
At the time of this writing, the range of examination time for Permanent Residency(PR) at the Tokyo Immigration Bureau is approximately 6 to 10 months (in the case of our application). Although PR permission is sometimes granted in around 5 months from the application, we feel that the most frequent is 8 to 10 months. The Immigration Bureau website states that the standard processing time is 4 months, but the actual time is different due to the stricter screening process.
The examination period varies from applicant to applicant. It may take longer if you apply on your own, if your documents are incorrect, or if you do not provide sufficient explanation. The examination period will also vary depending on the regional immigration office where you applied and the timing of your application. Therefore, it is not very helpful to hear that “my friend got PR permit in only XXX days”.
Case study of a smoother screening process (faster)
As mentioned above, the examination period varies from applicant to applicant. Applicants may want to receive permission as soon as possible. So, in what cases is permission granted quickly?
Of course, if the PR requirements are not met, the application will not be approved. Assuming the applicant meets the requirements, permission is granted quickly for cases that
(1) have a reasonable explanation (日本語の理由書、statement of reasons),
(2) have no errors in the application documents supporting (1), and
(3) there are sufficient evidence of (1) (as optional documents)
see *Voice of Customers
- Reasonable explanation that clearly meets PR requirements via 理由書 (RI YU SHO)
－The less issues on the table, the better ? - The attached documents evidencing (1) are correct.
- Sufficient documentation to evidence (1) (optional)
Since PR holders have no restrictions on occupation or duration of stay, the screening process is conducted with sensitivity. This is because this is the last screening process for the Immigration Bureau. According to the internal documents of the Bureau of Immigration, applications are divided into the following categories, and applications that should be approved will be approved as soon as possible.
Type A：PERMIT
Type B：Strict Screening (Difficult to permittion)
Type C：NOT permitting
Type D：Requires additional information（Then reassigned to A, B, C）
Can you see the progress of your review?
Immigration will not tell you about the review process, other than to say that it is “currently under review”. They also do not give a timeline for when the process will be completed. Some people complain emotionally to the immigration authorities that the examination process is too long or slow, and some even call them every day. However, in Japan, the immigration office will not process your application quickly even if you do so. It is counterproductive.
Request for submission of additional information
If there are points that need to be confirmed, missing information, or documents during the PR review process, you will receive a “SHIRYO TEISYUTSU TSUCHI SHO（資料提出通知書 means “Order for Submission of Additional Documents”）. This may be requested immediately after application, or 6-10 months after application, depending on the case.
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
