【Answering Your Basic Questions!】What’s the Difference Between a Long-Term Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa?
For foreigners planning to live in Japan long-term, the difference between a “Long-Term Resident Visa” and a “Permanent Resident Visa” is a common question. While the names sound similar, there are significant differences in their duration of stay, renewal requirements, and scope of rights. This article explains the definitions and specific differences between the two.
What is a Long-Term Resident Visa?
A Permanent Resident Visa (Resident Status for Permanent Residents) is a visa that permits long-term residence in Japan based on individual circumstances. Legally, it is defined as a “residence status where the specific activities are not specified by notification.”
Examples include cases where a foreign national wishes to continue residing in Japan after divorce or the death of a Japanese spouse, cases involving Japanese descendants or their spouses/children, or individuals with special circumstances. A major advantage is that employment activities are broadly permitted, with no restrictions on the type of work.
However, the period of stay is renewable for 1, 3, or 5 years, and permanent residence is not possible. During renewal, the applicant’s conduct, tax payment status, and living foundation are reviewed, making stable income and enrollment in social insurance important requirements. While the Permanent Resident Visa offers high flexibility, it is crucial to understand that it is not “valid for life.”
What is a Permanent Resident Visa?
The Permanent Resident Visa (Permanent Resident status) is a residence status allowing indefinite stay in Japan without period restrictions. Its primary appeal lies in the freedom to work in any occupation or change jobs, as it requires no renewal procedures and imposes no employment restrictions.
Application requirements primarily involve screening for continuous residence in Japan, good conduct, the ability to maintain an independent livelihood, tax payment history, and social insurance enrollment status. Furthermore, compared to visas like the spouse visa, the screening criteria are stricter, with significant emphasis placed on “having been stably settled in Japanese society for a long period.”
Even after being granted a Permanent Resident Visa, it can be revoked if the holder commits a crime or seriously violates public obligations. Therefore, obtaining permanent residency does not guarantee absolute security. Nevertheless, for foreign nationals aiming to build a long-term life foundation in Japan, the Permanent Resident Visa remains a key target status.
Differences Between the Two Visas
The most significant difference between the Long-Term Resident Visa and the Permanent Resident Visa is the presence or absence of a period of stay and the need for renewal. The Long-Term Resident Visa requires renewal, while the Permanent Resident Visa has no period of stay restrictions. There is also a difference in the intent behind their acquisition. The Long-Term Resident Visa is “residence exceptionally permitted based on individual circumstances,” whereas the Permanent Resident Visa is “the ultimate status based on a track record of long-term residence and social stability.”
Regarding work restrictions, both are generally permitted to a wide extent, but the Permanent Resident Visa offers greater systemic stability. Furthermore, there is a difference in the difficulty of the application requirements; the Permanent Resident Visa has stricter screening criteria than the Long-Term Resident Visa.
You need to consider which one to aim for based on your future life plans, family relationships, occupation, and income situation. Understanding the differences between the two will help you make an informed decision about which residence status is right for you.
Summary
While the names of the Permanent Resident Visa and the Long-Term Resident Visa are similar, there are clear differences in their duration of stay, renewal requirements, and the approach to obtaining them. It is crucial to select the appropriate visa based on your own purpose of stay and future life plans, and to prepare accordingly to meet the requirements.
