2025-04-16

Obtaining “Permanent Resident Status” is one major goal for foreigners residing in Japan. However, when applying, the key point is to join the public pension system. We will explain this point in detail.

What is permanent residence?

Permanent residence literally means “the right for a foreigner to reside permanently in Japan.

If a foreigner applies for a work visa and it is approved, he/she can work in Japan. If the foreigner has resided in Japan for more than 10 years and has had the status of residence for more than 5 years, he/she can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Once permanent residence is granted, the foreigner can live in Japan for an unlimited period of time. In addition, there are basically no restrictions on the type of work you can do. In other words, you will be able to live almost the same life as a Japanese national.

What about the pension system?

In Japan, the public pension system (National Pension System) is established, and all citizens over 20 years of age must join the National Pension System and pay pension premiums. This is no exception for foreigners living in Japan on a work visa or status visa (Japanese spouse, etc.).

Even if you are a foreigner, you can receive pension benefits at age 65 or older if you are enrolled in the pension plan and meet the requirements for receiving pension benefits. In addition, even before receiving pension benefits, if you are disabled due to an accident or illness, you can receive a disability pension, and if you die, your surviving family members will receive a survivor’s pension.

Precautions for Pensions

As explained earlier, enrollment in the public pension system is mandatory even for foreigners. If there is a period of non-payment of pension premiums, the amount of pension benefits received may be reduced or the pension may not be received.

In addition, if a foreign national has not paid pension premiums prior to obtaining permanent resident status, it may be disadvantageous for the foreign national to apply for permanent resident status. Previously, participation in the National Pension Plan was not a requirement for permanent residence applications.

However, in the May 2019 revision of the Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits, “payment of public pension contributions” was added to the examination items. And from July 2019, when applying for permanent residence, applicants must now submit “materials proving the payment of public pension premiums”.

Therefore, foreign nationals who are considering applying for permanent residence must check the status of their participation in the National Pension Plan, Employees’ Pension Plan, etc. (in the case of company employees) and the payment status of pension premiums. If you have any questions at all, please consult and confirm with the pension office.

In addition to whether or not you are enrolled in a pension plan, the “enrollment period” is also important. When applying for permanent residence, you must submit “documents proving the payment status of insurance premiums” for the last two years (24 months) in principle, or for the last year (12 months) depending on your status of residence.

Those who are required to submit the most recent one year’s worth of proof are “biological children, etc. of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents” and “highly skilled foreign nationals with 80 points or more.

Summary

When applying for permanent residence, “public pension coverage” is important. If you have any concerns about this point, please consult with the pension office.