2025-06-22

A Permanent Resident Visa is literally a “visa that allows permanent residence in Japan. When applying for this visa, a “Letter of Reason” must be submitted. Here, we will explain in detail the points to be noted in the “Letter of Reason”.

What is a Permanent Resident Visa?

A Permanent Resident Visa is, as the name suggests, a visa (status of residence) that allows permanent residence in Japan. Unlike a work visa, there are basically no restrictions on the type of work you can do.

To obtain a permanent residence visa, a foreign national who falls under any of the following categories must prepare an application form and documents, submit them to the Immigration Bureau, and obtain permission.

Spouse of a Japanese national
・ Spouse of a permanent resident
・ Spouse of a special permanent resident
・ Birth child of a Japanese national (including special adoption)
・ Birth child of a permanent resident and special permanent resident

However, obtaining a permanent resident visa does not change one’s nationality to that of Japanese. In other words, you will be entitled to reside in Japan permanently without changing your foreign nationality.

Documents required for application

The following documents are required to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa: ・a Permanent Resident Permit Application Form ・a Permanent Resident Permit Application Form

Application for Permanent Residence Permit
・Statement of Reasons
This is an open-ended statement of reasons for your application for a permanent residence visa. If the reasons are written in a language other than Japanese, a Japanese translation should be attached.
Certificate of Eligibility:
・Certified photograph (4cm x 3cm) ・Deposit book (copy)
・Health insurance card (copy)
・Receipt of National Health Insurance premiums (copy)
・Pension records for each month from Nenkin Net (print screen)
・Receipt of National Pension premiums (copy)
・Certificate of graduation from last school attended (copy)
・Certificate of Japanese language proficiency (copy)
・Taxation of residence tax Certificate of residence taxation (for the last 5 years)
・Certificate of residence tax payment (for the last 5 years)
・Certificate of residence with all household members (My number is not shown)
・Certificate of income tax, consumption tax, etc. payment
・Certificate of real estate registration
・Identification of guarantor (copy)
・Signature certificate

Notes on Letter of Reason

We mentioned “Letter of Reason” in the previous section of required documents, but this document is required to be submitted only by foreigners who have a work-related visa at the time of application. Therefore, foreigners with status-related visas, i.e., spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents (spouse visa), are not required to submit this document.

However, even status-based visa holders may submit a “Statement of Reason” when applying for a permanent residence visa. In fact, submitting a “Statement of Reasons” may be advantageous.

There are no specific regulations regarding the format of the “Statement of Reasons” (writing style, number of words, etc.). Ideally, it should be summarized on one or two sheets of A4 paper (2,000 to 4,000 characters), considering the balance between the content and readability.

The contents to be included are “history from arrival in Japan until now,” “current work and living conditions,” “pension and insurance coverage,” “assets,” “guarantor,” and “reasons for wishing to live in Japan permanently.

In particular, “Reason for wishing to permanently reside in Japan” is the most important item in the “Statement of Reason,” so please be sure to write it in detail. Key points to write about include “relationship with Japan,” “future goals,” “how you would like to contribute to Japan in the future,” etc.

You can find example sentences for the “Letter of Reasons” on the Internet, but please use them only as a reference and try to write in your own words. It is also important to have someone you trust check your “Statement of Reasons” before submitting it, if possible.

Summary

The “Statement of Reasons” required when applying for a permanent residence visa should include a clear explanation of why you wish to live in Japan permanently. Although there are many sample forms and example sentences available on the Internet, it is important to use them only as a reference and to write in your own words.