Point-based Permanent Residency (高度人材ポイント制)
If you score 70+ points under the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) point-based system—whether or not you hold the HSP visa—you can fast-track your Permanent Residency (PR).
Procedure Roadmap
1
Calculate your current points score
Use the points calculator in the section below (or the official ISA points table) to calculate your current score. If you score 70+, you are eligible to apply.See calculator below
2
Gather your documents — give yourself 1–3 months
Check the document checklist below for what applies to your visa type and points score. Collect both common documents (application form, identity documents, tax certificates, pension and insurance records, guarantor letter) and your point-specific documents. The lookback period for tax and pension records is 1 year if you score 80+ points, or 3 years if you score 70+.3
Submit at your regional immigration bureau
Submit in person at the immigration bureau covering your registered address. Walk-in accepted — no appointment needed. Weekdays only, 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. Bring originals and copies of all documents.Regional Immigration Bureau
Weekdays 9:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
4
Await decision and pay on approval
Processing typically takes more than 4 months — at busy offices like Tokyo it often exceeds one year. A postcard notifies you when a decision is reached. If approved, purchase a ¥10,000 revenue stamp (収入印紙) at a post office or convenience store and bring it when collecting your new resident card.>4 months — Tokyo often 1+ year
Calculate Your HSP Points Score
1
Career Category
活動区分
Different career paths have different point structures.
Document Checklist
Required documents depend on your current visa status and points score. Select what applies to you.
All Japanese-issued certificates must be dated within 3 months of submission. Foreign-language documents need a certified Japanese translation.
Document | Japanese | Notes | Where to get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Identity & Status | ||||
Document Checklist | 提出書類チェックシート | Application type: 永住許可申請４－（１）－イ Official ISA checklist for your visa type and point level. PLUS the standard checklist for your current status (Work-related visa base documents, items No. 1–5 & 17–21). | ISA website (download) | |
Permanent Residence Application Form | 永住許可申請書 | Confirm all required fields are completed. Print out and sign. | ISA website (download) | |
Photo (4cm × 3cm) | 写真（縦４㎝×横３㎝） | Taken within 6 months before application:
For standard details: | Photo studio | |
Statement of Reasons | 理由書 | Free-format explanation of why you need permanent residence. If not in Japanese → attach a Japanese translation | Self (write yourself) | |
Residence certificate — entire household | 住民票（世帯全員分） | Must include all items but omit Individual Number (My Number). | Municipal office (市区町村役場) or convenience store kiosk | |
Proof of occupation | 職業を証明する資料 | Submit one of:
| Employer (employment certificate) or Legal Affairs Bureau / tax office (self-employed) | |
Proof of assets | 資産を証明する資料 | Submit one of:
| Bank (passbook copy) or Legal Affairs Bureau (real estate registry) | |
Evidence of contribution to Japan (only if applicable) | Optional Examples:
| Awarding body / employer / relevant organization | ||
Letter of Understanding | 了解書 | For other languages, download from the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) website. | ISA website (download, fill in yourself) | |
Tax Records | ||||
Resident tax taxation (or exemption) certificate | 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書 | Period: Most recent 1 year Issued by your municipality. Must show total income and tax payment status for each year — one certificate suffices if it covers both. If unobtainable (e.g., applying within 1 year of arriving), a withholding slip (源泉徴収票) or pay slip copies may substitute. Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Municipal office (市区町村役場) or convenience store kiosk | |
Resident tax payment certificate | 住民税の納税証明書 | Period: Most recent 1 year Issued by your municipality. Must show total income and tax payment status for each year — one certificate suffices if it covers both. If unobtainable (e.g., applying within 1 year of arriving), a withholding slip (源泉徴収票) or pay slip copies may substitute. Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Municipal office (市区町村役場) or convenience store kiosk | |
Proof of timely resident-tax payment (bankbook copy, receipts, etc.) | Period: Most recent 1 year Required only for periods when resident tax was not specially withheld from salary (特別徴収). Unnecessary if withheld for the entire period. Web bankbook screenshots with transaction history are accepted. If submission is difficult, provide a free-format statement of reasons (include author name and date). | Bank statement / online banking / payslip | ||
National tax payment certificate No. 3 | 納税証明書（その３） | Covers all 5 categories:
Issued by the tax office with jurisdiction over your address. Certifies no unpaid taxes as of the certification date — no target period needs to be specified. | Tax office (税務署) in person, or e-Tax online How to get? | |
Pension & Insurance | ||||
Pension records: Insured Person Record Inquiry Response + Record Inquiry (Payment I & II) | 被保険者記録照会回答票・被保険者記録照会（納付Ⅰ・Ⅱ） | Period: Most recent 1 year Black out the basic pension number Request at your nearest pension office. Alternatives accepted:
If enrolled in the National Pension during the look-back period, also submit:
If submission is difficult → free-format statement of reasons (include author name and date) Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Japan Pension Service office (年金事務所) in person, or print from Nenkin Net (ねんきんネット) | |
Health insurance card copies — entire household | 健康保険被保険者証（世帯全員分） | If enrolled in employees' health insurance Black out the insurer number and insured person's symbol/number Submit if currently enrolled in employees' health insurance. If enrolled continuously for the full most recent 1 year → National Health Insurance (NHI) documents below are not required | Employer (issued by company health insurance society or Japan Health Insurance Association) | |
National Health Insurance (NHI) card copies — entire household | 国民健康保険被保険者証（世帯全員分） | If enrolled in NHI Black out the insurer number and insured person's symbol/number Submit if currently enrolled in NHI. | Municipal office (市区町村役場) — issued on enrollment | |
NHI premium payment certificate | 国民健康保険料（税）納付証明書 | If enrolled in NHI Period: Most recent 1 year Black out the insurer number and insured person's symbol/number Submit if enrolled in NHI at any point during the look-back period. Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Municipal office (市区町村役場) | |
NHI premium receipts (copies) | 国民健康保険料（税）領収証書 | If enrolled in NHI Period: Most recent 1 year Submit copies of ALL receipts for the enrolled period. Black out the insurer number and insured person's symbol/number If submission is difficult → free-format statement of reasons (include author name and date) Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Self (keep receipts from bank/convenience store payments) | |
Health Insurance / employees' pension premium receipts, or social insurance payment certificate — business owners only | Business owners only Period: Most recent 1 year Required if you owned a business covered by social insurance during the look-back period. Submit either the receipts or the payment certificate. Confirm no unpaid or late payments | Japan Pension Service office (年金事務所) or municipal office | ||
Guarantees | ||||
Letter of Guarantee | 身元保証書 | The guarantor must be one of:
| Guarantor (download form from ISA, filled and signed by guarantor) | |
Guarantor's supporting documents | Document identifying the guarantor. Examples:
| Guarantor (copy of their own ID documents) | ||
Point Calculation | ||||
HSP Points Calculation Table — as of the application date | 高度専門職ポイント計算表 | Use the table for your activity category. | ISA website (download, fill in yourself) | |
HSP Points Calculation Table — as of the past reference date | 高度専門職ポイント計算表 | Reference date: 1 year before application Use the table for your activity category. | ISA website (download, fill in yourself) | |
Supporting Evidence for Points Claimed Based on what you checked in the Points Calculator ↑ | ||||
All Japanese-issued certificates must be dated within 3 months of submission. Foreign-language documents need a certified Japanese translation.
Identity & Status
Document Checklist
提出書類チェックシートPermanent Residence Application Form
永住許可申請書Photo (4cm × 3cm)
写真（縦４㎝×横３㎝）Statement of Reasons
理由書Residence certificate — entire household
住民票（世帯全員分）Proof of occupation
職業を証明する資料Proof of assets
資産を証明する資料Evidence of contribution to Japan (only if applicable)
Letter of Understanding
了解書Tax Records
Resident tax taxation (or exemption) certificate
住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書Resident tax payment certificate
住民税の納税証明書Proof of timely resident-tax payment (bankbook copy, receipts, etc.)
National tax payment certificate No. 3
納税証明書（その３）Pension & Insurance
Pension records: Insured Person Record Inquiry Response + Record Inquiry (Payment I & II)
被保険者記録照会回答票・被保険者記録照会（納付Ⅰ・Ⅱ）Health insurance card copies — entire household
健康保険被保険者証（世帯全員分）National Health Insurance (NHI) card copies — entire household
国民健康保険被保険者証（世帯全員分）NHI premium payment certificate
国民健康保険料（税）納付証明書NHI premium receipts (copies)
国民健康保険料（税）領収証書Health Insurance / employees' pension premium receipts, or social insurance payment certificate — business owners only
Guarantees
Letter of Guarantee
身元保証書Guarantor's supporting documents
Point Calculation
HSP Points Calculation Table — as of the application date
高度専門職ポイント計算表HSP Points Calculation Table — as of the past reference date
高度専門職ポイント計算表Supporting Evidence for Points Claimed
Must cover BOTH dates: application date and 1 year before application
Based on what you checked in the Points Calculator ↑
Submission Guide
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