To applicants, the Permanent Residence Application Form (永住許可申請書) is not just a simple information sheet. To the Immigration Services Agency (Nyukan), it is the most critical document used to cross-reference and verify the truthfulness and consistency of your entire history of living in Japan.
There are many cases where applicants have excellent profiles (high income, fluent Japanese) but still face requests for further explanation or are outright rejected simply because the information in the application does not match what was declared in previous visa renewals.
In this article, I will guide you through exactly how to fill out the Permanent Residence application form accurately, ensuring your application is "clean" right from the first round of screening.
See more articles related to Permanent Residence Visas:
Download the Latest Permanent Residence Application Form
Before starting, ensure you are using the latest form issued by the Ministry of Justice of Japan. Do not use old forms, as the structure may have changed.
Detailed Guide to Filling Out the Permanent Residence Application
How to Fill Out Page 1
1. Nationality: Write your country name in Katakana (e.g., ベトナム or アメリカ). 2. Date of Birth: Format is Year - Month - Day. 3. Name: Write in all capital letters using Romaji (match your passport exactly). 4. Sex: Circle Male or Female. 5. Place of Birth: Write the name of your province/state in Romaji. 6. Marital Status: Circle the corresponding box. 7. Occupation: Write your job title briefly, e.g., ITエンジニア (IT Engineer). 8. Hometown/Place of Origin: Write the name of your province/state in Romaji. 9. Address in Japan: Write exactly and fully as it appears on your residence card, and include your mobile phone number. 10. Passport Info: Enter your passport number and expiration date. 11. Status of Residence Info: Enter your current visa type, duration of stay, and expiration date. 12. Residence Card Number: Write the code found on the top right corner of your card. 13. Criminal Record: This section largely determines the outcome of your application. If you have a record, declare it honestly or consult a lawyer before applying. Absolutely do not hide it, as the Immigration Agency will investigate and find out. 14. Reason for Permanent Residence: Since the formal "Reason for Application" is usually a separate multi-page document, you only need to write a brief summary here. Example: "これからも日本で働きたいと考えております。長期的に安定した生活を築き、日本社会の一員として貢献していくために、永住許可を申請いたします。" (I wish to continue working in Japan. I am applying for permanent residence to build a long-term stable life and contribute as a member of Japanese society.) 15. The Immigration Agency wants to check if you have ever entered or left Japan using a passport or identity papers with different personal information than your current profile during your time here. For almost everyone, the answer is No. 16. Education and Employment History: This is the most time-consuming part. You need to list your education and work history since arriving in Japan (or the most recent significant milestones). If there isn't enough space, you can attach a separate file.
How to Fill Out Page 2
17. Main Financial Supporter
Relationship with the applicant: If you work and support yourself, select 本人 (Self).
Place of employment: Write your current company name, branch or department name, address, and company phone number.
Annual Income: Write your total annual income (amount before tax).
18. Family living together in Japan: List the details of your spouse, children, or parents currently living with you in Japan. The "Residence Card Number" (在留カード番号) column is mandatory if they are foreign nationals.
19. Guarantor Information
Name
Nationality
Address, Phone Number
Occupation
Relationship: Select the appropriate box, or if it is a friend, select その他 (Other) and write 友人 (Friend).
20. Representative: This section is designed for special cases where the applicant cannot submit the form themselves due to objective reasons (e.g., minors, severe illness, or disabilities requiring a legal guardian). Usually, this section is left blank.
Finally, sign your name and write the date of submission.
Check for Common Mistakes
Before printing, review these 3 points to avoid scrutiny from Immigration:
Time Gaps: In Section 16 (Education and Work History), check if there are any long periods of unemployment that you haven't explained.
Income Discrepancies: The amount in Section 17 must match your tax certificates (Gensen-choshu-hyo/Kazei-shomeisho).
Immigration History: Section 15 (Page 1) asks if you have ever entered with a different name or passport. Most people should select 無 (No). Do not mistakenly select "Yes" unless that specific situation actually applies to you.
My Advice: Fill out the form using the Excel file on your computer for a clean look, then print it out to sign. If you handwrite it, absolutely no erasing or correction fluid is allowed. If you make a mistake, cross it out with double lines and place your small correction seal (Inkan) over the correction, or simply rewrite the page on a new sheet.
Hello everyone. I'm an IT engineer working in Japan. I created this blog to share about life and experiences during my study and work journey. I hope this article will be helpful to you.
