2025-06-17

Changing nationality in Japan means leaving your current nationality and acquiring a new one. The most common way is to apply for naturalization. So how long does this procedure take?

What does it mean to change nationality?

Foreign nationals residing in Japan who wish to change their nationality generally need to apply for naturalization. Application for naturalization means submitting an application and necessary documents to the Immigration Bureau to obtain permission to acquire Japanese nationality.

Since Japan does not allow so-called “dual nationality,” it is necessary to complete the procedures for renouncing one’s foreign nationality after the acquisition of Japanese nationality is approved.

Procedures

To apply for naturalization, the following documents must first be prepared and collected. However, the required documents may differ depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant.

　・Application form for naturalization (applicant’s photograph is required)

　・Documents outlining the applicant’s relatives

　・Statement of reasons for naturalization

　・Resume

　・Documents outlining the applicant’s livelihood

　・Documents describing the outline of the applicant’s business

　・Copy of certificate of residence

　・Documents proving nationality

　・Documents proving kinship

　・Documents proving tax payment

　・Documents proving income

　・Documents proving the applicant’s history of stay in Japan

After submitting the above documents, an interview is conducted with the applicant. The interview will be conducted by a legal affairs bureau official who will ask the applicant questions, which will vary from person to person. The time required for the interview is not fixed and also varies from person to person.

However, general questions include the applicant’s relatives and family, future life and work, how and why the applicant met his/her spouse, and why the applicant wishes to acquire Japanese citizenship.

How long does it take?

Generally speaking, it takes 12 to 14 months from application for naturalization to acquisition of Japanese citizenship. In other words, in most cases, it will take more than one year. Therefore, it is necessary to check the validity period of your current status of residence, and to apply for naturalization systematically so that the validity period of your current status of residence does not expire during the naturalization examination period.

The above breakdown into 12 to 14 months requires a prior consultation at the Nationality Section of the Legal Affairs Bureau before applying for naturalization. This pre-consultation is by appointment only and takes several weeks to several months from the time of application to the time the consultation is scheduled.

Next, two to three months are required to prepare and collect the necessary documents. Particularly time-consuming is the acquisition of certificates issued by the home country government. The applicant can either return to his/her own country to collect the certificate, or ask a relative or acquaintance living in his/her home country to do so. It is also necessary to translate the collected certificates into Japanese for submission to the Immigration and Residence Office.

Once the necessary documents are prepared, submit them to the Immigration and Residence Office. After the application is accepted, it will be reviewed and an interview will be conducted with the applicant 3 to 4 months later. A Japanese language test may be administered at this time.

Six to nine months after the interview, the Legal Affairs Bureau will notify the applicant of the results. Generally, a phone call is made to inform the applicant of the approval or disapproval of the application.

Summary

The application for naturalization requires a period of 12 to 14 months from the preliminary consultation to the approval of the acquisition of Japanese nationality. It is important to consider the relationship with the validity period of your current status of residence and plan your application accordingly.