【Clearly Explained】What is a Unspecified Permanent Resident?
Did you know that the “Permanent Resident” status of residence has two types: “Notified Permanent Residents” and “unspecified Permanent Residents”? This article clearly explains what a unspecified Permanent Resident is, how they differ from Notified Permanent Residents, and provides concrete examples.
What is the “Permanent Resident” Status of Residence?
The “Permanent Resident” status of residence is granted by individual permission from the Minister of Justice, allowing long-term stay in Japan. It is a highly flexible status with no employment restrictions, permitting work in most occupations.
Representative examples include Japanese descendants (third or fourth generation, etc.) and foreigners raising children after divorce from a Japanese spouse.
This “Permanent Resident” status has two types: “Notified Permanent Residents,” defined by notification from the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), and “unspecified Permanent Residents,” who are granted permission based on special circumstances not covered by the notification. In other words, while the legal definition is the same “Permanent Resident,” the form of permission differs.
What is a Unspecified Permanent Resident?
“Unspecified permanent residents” are foreign nationals who are not specifically listed as a category in the Ministry of Justice’s notification but are recognized as “permanent residents” after consideration of their individual circumstances.
In other words, these are cases where the foreign national does not fall under the “categories of permanent residents” listed in the notification (e.g., third-generation Japanese descendants, parents of Japanese children after divorce), but it is determined that they need to continue staying in Japan for humanitarian or social reasons. Examples include individuals who have lived in Japan for an extended period and are sufficiently integrated into Japanese society, or those whose entire family resides in Japan, making return to their home country difficult.
Recognition as a Non-Designated Permanent Resident is determined through individual review. Simply put, the Immigration Bureau makes its decision by considering each person’s “unique special circumstances.” Therefore, careful preparation of the application through a professional, such as an administrative scrivener, is necessary.
Examples of Unspecified Permanent Residents
Specific examples of unspecified permanent residents include the following:
For instance, a foreign national who has lived in Japan for many years and for whom returning to their home country is practically impossible because their entire family and children reside in Japan. Additionally, a foreign-born child who has lost their residence status but was born and raised in Japan may be granted “Permanent Resident” status. Furthermore, in cases where deportation has been deferred for humanitarian reasons, subsequent changes in circumstances may allow for approval to change to “Permanent Resident” status.
These examples do not guarantee uniform approval. Each case is carefully reviewed based on individual circumstances, including living conditions, economic foundation, and social ties. Therefore, when applying as a “Unspecified Permanent Resident,” it is necessary to consult with a specialist knowledgeable in immigration procedures and practices.
Summary
Unspecified permanent residents are individuals granted the “permanent resident” status based on special circumstances not specified in the notification. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, requiring careful preparation with support from experts.
