Complete Guide – Step by Step Process to File PR in Japan

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Below is a deep, step-by-step โ€œ80+ points for 1 yearโ€ PR guide for Japan, assuming youโ€™re on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (or similar work status) and using the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional (HSP) points fast-track (often called โ€œdeemed HSPโ€ / point-based fast-track). The PR application itself uses the Permanent Resident (ๆฐธไฝ่€…) permission process.


0) First confirm you qualify for the โ€œ80 points โ†’ 1 yearโ€ PR fast-track

A. The fast-track rule (what you must prove)

You must prove that:

  • You had 80 points or more continuously for the last 1 year, and
  • You still have 80+ points today (at application time).
    (Immigrationโ€™s PR residency-period โ€œreviewโ€ for highly-skilled points includes the 80 points โ†’ 1 year pathway.) (Ministry of Justice)

B. Important: you must prove points for two dates

Most applicants prepare:

  1. Points calculation โ€œas of todayโ€, and
  2. Points calculation โ€œas of exactly 1 year before your application dateโ€
    (practitioners and checklists commonly require both; itโ€™s also consistent with the โ€œ1-year continuousโ€ requirement). (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)

C. Also make sure you have โ€œclean complianceโ€

PR is heavily judged on tax + pension + health insurance compliance (no late payments / gaps), plus general law compliance. Immigrationโ€™s own PR page includes a strict self-check warning that a single โ€œNoโ€ item can make denial likely. (Ministry of Justice)


1) Identify your HSP activity category for points

For most engineers, youโ€™ll use:

  • Advanced specialized/technical activities (้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท 1ๅทใƒญ)

The points sheet youโ€™ll use for PR is the โ€œHSP points calculation tableโ€ for your category (1ๅทใƒญ is common for engineering).


2) Do your points calculation (with evidence for every point)

A. Use the official-style point table logic

The points system evaluates:

  • Academic background
  • Professional career (experience)
  • Annual salary
  • Age
  • Bonus items (licenses, Japanese, research, etc.)

A widely used points-table format shows the categories and an annual salary points table by age (structure example shown here).

B. Your example (based on what you told me)

You said:

  • Age: 41
  • Salary: 14,000,000 JPY
  • Experience: 20 years
  • Degrees: 2 Masterโ€™s degrees

This typically clears 80 comfortably via:

  • Masterโ€™s degree points (academic)
  • 10+ years experience (career)
  • High salary bracket (salary)
  • Possible extra points for multiple degrees in different fields (if majors differ and you can prove it)

But: your โ€œ1 year agoโ€ points depend on your salary and job situation 1 year ago. If your salary rose recently, you might have 80+ now but not for the full previous year. Thatโ€™s the #1 trap.

C. Evidence you should prepare for each points block

Prepare proof documents (โ€œ็–Žๆ˜Ž่ณ‡ๆ–™โ€) for every item you claim:

Academic (ๅญฆๆญด)

  • Degree certificate(s)
  • If claiming โ€œmultiple degrees in different fields,โ€ include transcripts or documents showing the majors differ (some point tables explicitly ask for evidence when the degree title doesnโ€™t show the major).

Career / work experience (่ทๆญด)

  • Experience letters from past employers OR
  • Detailed CV + supporting documents (old contracts, reference letters, etc.)

Salary (ๅนดๅŽ)

For today:

  • Employment contract / compensation letter
  • Recent payslips
  • Withholding slip (ๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจ) or equivalent annual income proof

For 1 year ago:

  • Last yearโ€™s withholding slip (ๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจ) and/or payslips from that period
  • Contract in effect 1 year ago (if it changed)

Point sheets also note a minimum annual salary threshold: if salary is under a minimum, HSP recognition doesnโ€™t apply even if points add up.

Age (ๅนด้ฝข)

  • Passport / resident card (age at the time you are calculating points)

Bonus points (if any)

Examples: Japanese level tests, patents/papers, national qualifications, etc. (only claim what you can strongly prove).


3) Decide which โ€œ80-point PRโ€ filing style applies to you

You can fast-track PR in two practical ways:

Method 1: You already hold HSP status (้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท)

You submit PR under the โ€œhighly skilledโ€ PR category.

Method 2 (very common): You do NOT hold HSP status, but you qualify by points (โ€œdeemed HSPโ€)

Even if you are on an engineering work status, you apply PR by attaching the HSP points calculations + evidence. Law-firm checklists explicitly cover this scenario as โ€œdonโ€™t have HSP but have 70/80 pointsโ€. (VISAใƒˆใƒผใ‚ฟใƒซใ‚ตใƒใƒผใƒˆใƒปๅŸผ็މ)


4) Collect the PR application forms (latest official formats)

A. PR Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ›ธ)

The official PR form includes:

  • Your personal info
  • Your job/income
  • Family details
  • Guarantor section (ๅœจๆ—ฅ่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผไบบ)

B. Consent letter (ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ)

Immigration introduced/required the PR consent letter (ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ) (commonly required in modern PR filings). (Ministry of Justice)

C. Guarantor form (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ)

This is submitted with the guarantorโ€™s details and signature. (Ministry of Justice)

D. Fee payment slip (ๆ‰‹ๆ•ฐๆ–™็ดไป˜ๆ›ธ)

You typically submit the fee after approval, using the designated slip with a revenue stamp. (Ministry of Justice)


5) Build your document pack (the โ€œ80 points / 1 yearโ€ version)

Below is the practical full checklist most people use for the 80-point / 1-year PR route (compiled from immigration checklists and current practice).

(A) What you prepare yourself

  1. PR Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ›ธ)
  2. Photo (commonly 4cmร—3cm) (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  3. Reason letter (็†็”ฑๆ›ธ) โ€“ why you want PR, your contribution, stability, compliance
  4. Consent letter (ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ) (Ministry of Justice)
  5. HSP Points Calculation Sheet โ€“ โ€œTodayโ€ (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  6. HSP Points Calculation Sheet โ€“ โ€œ1 year agoโ€ (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  7. Evidence for each claimed point (degrees, experience proof, salary proof, etc.) (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  8. Passport + residence card (usually shown at the counter) (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)

(B) Documents you obtain from the city office / tax office

  1. Jลซminhyล (ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ) โ€“ household/residency certificate (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  2. Resident tax proof (ไฝๆฐ‘็จŽ) for the most recent year:
  1. National tax proof (ๅ›ฝ็จŽ): โ€œno tax arrearsโ€ certificate (commonly ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ(ใใฎ3))
    You can obtain tax payment certificates via the National Tax Agency / e-Tax processes. (nta.go.jp)

(C) Social insurance compliance (very important)

  1. Pension payment record for the most recent year (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  2. Public medical insurance payment record for the most recent year (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)

Important โ€œlatestโ€ note: Immigration pages now mention the health insurance card system change (MyNumber-related reform) from Dec 2, 2024, so you may need to submit alternative proof depending on your insurer (e.g., qualification information/confirmation). (Ministry of Justice)

(D) Employer / work documents

  1. Certificate of employment (ๅœจ่ท่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ) or equivalent (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  2. Employment contract and/or job description (helpful, especially if requested)
  3. Salary/income proof:

(E) Guarantor documents (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผไบบ)

Your PR form requires a guarantor section.
Commonly submitted:
17) Guarantor form (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ) (Ministry of Justice)
18) Guarantor ID copy (residence card / driverโ€™s license / MyNumber card, etc.) (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)

A common requirement: guarantor is typically a Japanese national or PR holder (some guidance states this explicitly). (June Advisors Group)


6) How to get each document (where, how, what to ask for)

A. City office (ๅธ‚ๅฝนๆ‰€ / ๅŒบๅฝนๆ‰€)

Ask for:

  • ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ (with household details as needed)
  • ่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (latest year)
  • ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (latest year)

B. Tax office (็จŽๅ‹™็ฝฒ) / e-Tax

Ask for:

  • ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ(ใใฎ3) or equivalent โ€œno arrearsโ€ certificate.
    NTA provides official guidance for obtaining tax certificates through their systems. (nta.go.jp)

C. Pension (ๅนด้‡‘)

Depending on your enrollment (Employeesโ€™ Pension vs National Pension), youโ€™ll show:

  • Payment record / statement printouts for the last year (commonly from Nenkin Net / statements), or official certificates.

D. Health insurance (ๅฅๅบทไฟ้™บ)

Show proof of:

  • Payment status (if self-paid), or
  • Enrollment/payment via employer records, plus whatever โ€œqualification confirmationโ€ documents apply after the health insurance card system change. (Ministry of Justice)

7) Where to submit (office location) + jurisdiction rule

A. Rule: submit to the bureau that covers your residential address

You submit at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau / branch that has jurisdiction over where you live.

B. Quick bureau location references (examples)

A government contact list includes major regional bureaus (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, etc.) with addresses/phones (useful as a starting point). (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Example (Tokyo): Tokyo bureau address and phone are commonly listed as 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8255 / 03-5796-7111. (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

If you tell me your current prefecture/city, Iโ€™ll point you to the exact bureau/branch you should use (without guessing).


8) Submission method, hours, and โ€œonline vs in-personโ€ (latest reality)

A. PR application is generally not online

Japan has an Online Residence Application System for many procedures, but PR is commonly listed as excluded from online filing. (ๅคง้˜ชใƒปๆฑไบฌใƒปๆจชๆตœใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹๏ผŒๅธฐๅŒ–็”ณ่ซ‹ใฏ่กŒๆ”ฟๆ›ธๅฃซๆณ•ไบบ็ฌฌไธ€็ถœๅˆไบ‹ๅ‹™ๆ‰€)

B. Go to the counter (bring originals)

Typical reception hours are often weekday daytime (varies by office). Many references list 9:00โ€“12:00 and 13:00โ€“16:00 for immigration counters. (fedu.uec.ac.jp)

C. What happens at submission

  1. You submit the full packet at the counter.
  2. They check completeness (not full screening yet).
  3. You receive a receipt / application number.
  4. If anything is missing, you may be asked to supplement later.

9) Fees and how you pay

A. PR fee amount

PR permission fee is commonly 8,000 JPY (paid after approval). (Ministry of Justice)

B. How payment works

  • You usually pay after youโ€™re approved by attaching a revenue stamp (ๅŽๅ…ฅๅฐ็ด™) to the fee payment slip. (Ministry of Justice)

(Where to buy revenue stamps: typically post offices and sometimes vendors near the bureau; many bureaus also guide you at the time of approval.)


10) What happens after you apply (screening โ†’ approval)

A. Screening

They verify:

  • Your points (today + 1 year ago) and evidence consistency
  • Tax/pension/health insurance compliance
  • Employment stability and livelihood
  • Conduct/compliance overall (Ministry of Justice)

B. Requests for additional documents

Itโ€™s common to receive a letter requesting:

  • More proof of salary at a certain period
  • More pension/health insurance proof
  • Clarification on gaps/late payments
  • Missing translations

C. Processing time

Public guidance is sometimes quoted around โ€œmonths,โ€ but real-world times vary widely by office and case volume. (่กŒๆ”ฟๆ›ธๅฃซใ†ใˆใ™ใŽไบ‹ๅ‹™ๆ‰€ – ๅค–ๅ›ฝไบบใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ”ฏๆดใ‚ปใƒณใ‚ฟใƒผ)


11) Guarantor details (who, what they sign, what you submit)

A. Who can be guarantor (practical standard)

Common guidance: guarantor should be:

B. Where guarantor info appears

The PR application form includes a dedicated guarantor section (name, address, relationship, etc.).

C. What guarantor submits (typical)


12) The โ€œ80 points for 1 yearโ€ pitfalls (avoid these)

These are the most common reasons otherwise-strong candidates get delayed or denied:

  1. You canโ€™t prove 80 points โ€œ1 year agoโ€ (salary changed recently; experience threshold crossed recently; degree recognition timing).
  2. Late / missed pension or health insurance payments in the last year. (VISAใƒˆใƒผใ‚ฟใƒซใ‚ตใƒใƒผใƒˆใƒปๅŸผ็މ)
  3. Resident tax not fully paid (especially if you moved cities and a bill got missed). (ๆ„›็Ÿฅใฎใƒ“ใ‚ถ็”ณ่ซ‹ใƒ‡ใ‚นใ‚ฏ)
  4. Weak documentation for claimed points (e.g., experience not supported by letters).
  5. Foreign documents submitted without Japanese translations (can trigger supplementation).

13) A practical โ€œdo-this-nowโ€ execution plan (so you can file cleanly)

Step 1 โ€” Lock your โ€œapplication dateโ€

Pick a target submission day, then define:

  • โ€œToday points dateโ€ = submission day
  • โ€œ1 year ago points dateโ€ = exactly 1 year before submission

Step 2 โ€” Build your points evidence folder

Create two subfolders:

  • Points_Today/
  • Points_1YearAgo/

Put salary and employment proofs in the correct time folder.

Step 3 โ€” Pull compliance certificates

Step 4 โ€” Write the reason letter (็†็”ฑๆ›ธ)

Focus on:

  • Stable professional career in Japan
  • Compliance (tax/pension/insurance)
  • Long-term life plan in Japan
  • Contribution (skills, role, projects, mentoring, etc.)

Step 5 โ€” Get guarantor pack signed

Step 6 โ€” Submit in person at your jurisdiction bureau

Use the bureau list/address references to identify your office (or tell me your city/prefecture and Iโ€™ll point you correctly). (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)


ๆฑไบฌๅ‡บๅ…ฅๅ›ฝๅœจ็•™็ฎก็†ๅฑ€ (Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau) - 50 tips

0) Your case (Tokyo / Koto-ku) โ€” are you eligible after 1 year with 80+ points?

Yes, if you can prove you had 80+ points โ€œ1 year agoโ€ and also have 80+ points โ€œtoday,โ€ and you meet the general PR guideline requirements (good conduct + stable livelihood + PR is in Japanโ€™s interest). (Ministry of Justice)

Your 80-point calculation (HSP route, typical for engineers: ้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท1ๅทใƒญ)

Based on the official-style points tables:

CategoryYour infoPoints
Age410 (40+)
Work experience20 years20 (10+ years)
Annual salaryยฅ14,000,00040 (ยฅ10M+)
EducationMasterโ€™s degree20
Total80

Bonus possibility: If your two Masterโ€™s degrees are in different fields, there is an additional +5 category for โ€œmultiple graduate degrees in different fields.โ€ (Ministry of Justice)
(You donโ€™t need it since you already hit 80, but itโ€™s helpful as a buffer.)


1) Which โ€œ80-point PRโ€ path applies to you?

There are two common โ€œfast-track PRโ€ variants:

  1. You already hold โ€œHighly Skilled Professionalโ€ (้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท) status
  2. You do NOT hold ้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท, but you can prove 80+ points (your case: youโ€™re on an engineering visa)

Immigration has a separate document guidance page/checklist for people who have 80+ points but are not on ้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท status. (Ministry of Justice)


2) Step-by-step process (end-to-end)

Step 1 โ€” Fix your โ€œtwo reference datesโ€ for points proof

You must prepare points evidence for:

  • A) Today (application date / ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ™‚็‚น)
  • B) Exactly 1 year before your application date (1ๅนดๅ‰ๆ™‚็‚น) (Ministry of Justice)

Practical tip: pick an application date (e.g., next month), then count back 1 year and build a โ€œ1-year-ago points fileโ€ for that date.


Step 2 โ€” Build your โ€œPoints Packโ€ (this is the heart of fast-track)

Create two sets of the same items: one for Today, one for 1 year ago.

2.1 Points calculation sheet (้ซ˜ๅบฆไบบๆใƒใ‚คใƒณใƒˆ่จˆ็ฎ—่กจ)

  • Fill the category for your field (engineer usually uses ้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท1ๅทใƒญ concept).

2.2 Evidence for each points line

  • Education (Masterโ€™s): degree certificate (+ Japanese translation if not Japanese)
  • Work experience (20 yrs): experience letters / employment certificates; job descriptions help
  • Salary (ยฅ14M): employer salary certificate / contract showing annual pay, plus withholding slips (ๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจ) where possible
  • (Optional) Two Masterโ€™s in different fields: evidence both majors differ (to support +5) (Ministry of Justice)

Step 3 โ€” Confirm you satisfy PR โ€œbaselineโ€ requirements

Immigrationโ€™s PR guideline framework is essentially:

  1. Good conduct (็ด ่กŒใŒๅ–„่‰ฏ)
  2. Stable/independent livelihood (็‹ฌ็ซ‹ใฎ็”Ÿ่จˆ)
  3. PR benefits Japan (ๅ›ฝ็›Š) (Ministry of Justice)

In practice, they focus heavily on:

  • No serious legal/traffic issues
  • Taxes paid properly
  • Pension + health insurance enrolled and paid properly

Step 4 โ€” Prepare your PR core forms (the โ€œApplication Packโ€)

These are the usual core documents for PR (your exact set is determined by your status/route). (Ministry of Justice)

Core forms typically include

  • ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ›ธ (PR application form) (Ministry of Justice)
  • ๅ†™็œŸ 4cmร—3cm (photo) (Ministry of Justice)
  • ็†็”ฑๆ›ธ (reason statement โ€“ why you want PR; and explanations for any missing items)
  • ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ (acknowledgement form) โ€” widely treated as required in modern practice (Guidable Jobs)
  • ่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ (guarantor form) (Ministry of Justice)
  • (Recently) a self-check sheet is used to avoid missing items (Ministry of Justice)

Step 5 โ€” Collect โ€œproof documentsโ€ (where youโ€™ll spend most time)

5A) Residence certificate (ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ / Juminhyo)

5B) Local tax documents (ไฝๆฐ‘็จŽ)

You commonly need:

  • ่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (taxation certificate / income + assessed resident tax)
  • ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (payment certificate, if you have payment history)

Koto-ku states resident tax certificates are typically ยฅ300 per copy at the counter; ่ชฒ็จŽใƒป้ž่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ can be ยฅ200 via convenience store for the latest year, but ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ is not available via convenience store. (Koto City)

Important โ€œfirst-year-in-Japanโ€ issue (you are at 18 months):
Depending on timing, you may have limited resident-tax payment history. If you canโ€™t produce something (because it wasnโ€™t billed yet), write it clearly in your ็†็”ฑๆ›ธ and submit what you can (e.g., withholding slip, taxation certificate). (This is a common situation for 1-year fast-track applicants.)

5C) National tax payment certificate (ๅ›ฝ็จŽใฎ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ)

Commonly requested is a national-tax certificate such as ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ๏ผˆใใฎ3๏ผ‰ (you can obtain via the tax office / NTA process). Many PR checklists reference this as a key item.

5D) Pension & health insurance proof (่ถ…้‡่ฆ)

For PR, Immigration checks enrollment + payments.

Typical acceptable pension proofs (examples seen in official/standard checklists):

  • ใญใ‚“ใใ‚“ใƒใƒƒใƒˆ printouts (ๅ„ๆœˆใฎๅนด้‡‘่จ˜้Œฒ)
  • ่ขซไฟ้™บ่€…่จ˜้Œฒ็…งไผšๅ›ž็ญ”็ฅจ (from pension office) (Ministry of Justice)

Redaction rule: If documents show basic pension number / insurer numbers, black them out (common checklist instruction). (VISAใƒˆใƒผใ‚ฟใƒซใ‚ตใƒใƒผใƒˆใƒปๅŸผ็މ)

Health insurance proofs depend on your type

  • If youโ€™re on company social insurance: provide your coverage proof (and related records)
  • If you were on National Health Insurance at any time: provide NHI payment proof for that period

Step 6 โ€” Guarantor (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผไบบ) details (what you must arrange)

You need a guarantor form (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ). (Ministry of Justice)

Who can be guarantor (typical)

  • Japanese national, or
  • Permanent Resident / Special Permanent Resident, etc.

What they usually provide

  • Signed guarantor form
  • Copy of an ID (and sometimes proof of residence / employment depending on bureau practice)

What guarantor responsibility really means (practically)

  • Itโ€™s generally treated as a โ€œmoral supportโ€ assurance (not like a bank guarantee), but Immigration expects it to be credible and complete.

Step 7 โ€” Where to submit in Tokyo (Koto-ku jurisdiction)

For Koto-ku residents, the normal submission office is:

Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau (ๆฑไบฌๅ‡บๅ…ฅๅ›ฝๅœจ็•™็ฎก็†ๅฑ€)

  • Address: 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • Reception hours for PR-related procedures are typically shown as 9:00โ€“12:00 and 13:00โ€“16:00 (weekdays) (Ministry of Justice)

Tokyo โ€œApplication Reservation Systemโ€ (็”ณ่ซ‹ไบˆ็ด„)
Tokyo Immigration has an official reservation system; it notes that applications are handled at the 2nd-floor B counter, and reservations use a dedicated lane/time window. (Ministry of Justice)


Step 8 โ€” After you submit (what happens next)

  1. They accept your packet, stamp/record it, and you keep your receipt/reference.
  2. Immigration may send a request for additional documents (่ฟฝๅŠ ่ณ‡ๆ–™).
  3. Keep everything โ€œcleanโ€ during review:
    • continue paying taxes/insurance on time
    • avoid any major violations
    • if you change address/job, handle notifications properly

Step 9 โ€” Fee / payment (ๅŽๅ…ฅๅฐ็ด™)

PR permission fee was revised and is widely reported as increased from ยฅ8,000 to ยฅ10,000 effective 2025-04-01 (paid by revenue stamp / ๅŽๅ…ฅๅฐ็ด™ when approved). (Ministry of Justice)

(Always pay the fee the way your approval notice instructs; the โ€œstamp paymentโ€ happens at approval stage, not at initial filing.)


3) โ€œMaster Checklistโ€ โ€” build your submission folder (recommended structure)

Folder 1 โ€” Forms (ๅ…ฅ็ฎกๆ›ธๅผ)

  • ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ›ธ
  • ๅ†™็œŸ (4ร—3)
  • ็†็”ฑๆ›ธ
  • ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ
  • ่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ
  • Self-check sheet (Ministry of Justice)

Folder 2 โ€” Identity / Residence

Folder 3 โ€” Employment & Income

  • ๅœจ่ท่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (employment certificate)
  • Salary certificate / contract
  • ๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจ (withholding slip)

Folder 4 โ€” Taxes (very important)

  • Koto-ku: ่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ + ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ (as available) (Koto City)
  • National tax: ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ๏ผˆใใฎ3๏ผ‰ (typical)

Folder 5 โ€” Pension & Health insurance (very important)

Folder 6 โ€” Points Pack (2 copies: โ€œTodayโ€ and โ€œ1 year agoโ€)

  • Point calculation sheet (current)
  • Point calculation sheet (1-year-ago)
  • Evidence for each item (degree, experience, salary, etc.)

4) The #1 pitfall for โ€œ80 points / 1 yearโ€ applicants (and how to handle it)

Because youโ€™ve been in Japan 18 months, itโ€™s possible you donโ€™t yet have a perfect set of:

  • resident tax โ€œpayment historyโ€ documents (depending on billing timing), or
  • a full 2-year pension/health record (you literally donโ€™t have 2 years).

For the 80-point route, document guidance commonly focuses on the most recent 1-year evidence for pension/health/taxes where applicable. (VISAใƒˆใƒผใ‚ฟใƒซใ‚ตใƒใƒผใƒˆใƒปๅŸผ็މ)
If something is โ€œnot issuable yet,โ€ you explain it in the ็†็”ฑๆ›ธ and supply the closest official proofs you do have (withholding slip, taxation certificate, employment/salary certificates).


Yes โ€” in principle, Immigration expects a Japanese translation for any document you submit thatโ€™s written in a foreign language, even if itโ€™s English. (Ministry of Justice)

That said, thereโ€™s an important practical nuance:

  • The legal/standard rule is โ€œforeign-language docs โ†’ attach a translation.โ€
  • In actual operations, for some simple, standard English documents (e.g., a very standard employment certificate or contract with no complex terms), Immigration may not demand a translation in every case.
  • But for PR (ๆฐธไฝ), officers often ask for Japanese translations to avoid misunderstandings. If you skip translations, you risk getting an โ€œadditional documents requestโ€ later, which delays your PR review.

What you should do for your PR (80 points) application

Translate these (strongly recommended)

These are commonly part of your points proof and PR review, so translating them is safest:

  • Masterโ€™s degree certificates + transcripts (if you submit them)
  • Experience proof from past employers (letters/certificates), detailed role letters
  • Employment contract / offer letter (if in English)
  • Salary/compensation letters (especially if used to prove โ€œ1 year agoโ€ and โ€œtodayโ€ salary)
  • Any foreign civil documents if applicable (marriage/birth certificates, etc.)

Usually no translation needed

  • Japanese-issued documents (ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ, ่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ, ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ, ๅนด้‡‘ใƒปไฟ้™บ records) โ€” already Japanese
  • Passport/residence card copies (normally accepted as-is)
  • Documents you donโ€™t submit (no need to translate everything you ownโ€”only what you include in the application packet)

Can you translate yourself, or must it be professional?

A professional translation is not generally required. Immigration guidance commonly allows translations you prepare yourself (or by a friend/company), as long as theyโ€™re accurate. (Ministry of Justice)
What matters is: accuracy + translator identification.

How to format the translation (what Tokyo Immigration expects in practice)

Attach, for each document:

  1. Copy of the original English document
  2. Japanese translation (typed is best)
  3. At the bottom (or last page) of the translation, add:
    • Translator name
    • Translation date
    • Relationship to applicant (e.g., โ€œๆœฌไบบ / ไผš็คพๆ‹…ๅฝ“่€… / ๅ‹ไบบโ€)
    • Signature (handwritten is fine)

This โ€œtranslator name/date/relationshipโ€ style is widely used in Japan immigration-related submissions. (Ritsumeikan Admissions)

Copy-paste template (Japanese)

You can put this at the end of each translated document:

  • ่จณๆ–‡ไฝœๆˆ่€…๏ผˆTranslator๏ผ‰๏ผš๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
  • ็ฟป่จณๆ—ฅ๏ผˆDate๏ผ‰๏ผš๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
  • ็”ณ่ซ‹ไบบใจใฎ้–ขไฟ‚๏ผˆRelationship๏ผ‰๏ผš๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผˆไพ‹๏ผšๆœฌไบบ๏ผ‰
  • ็ฝฒๅ๏ผˆSignature๏ผ‰๏ผš๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
  • ใ€Œๆœฌ่จณๆ–‡ใฏๅŽŸๆœฌใซๅฟ ๅฎŸใงใ‚ใ‚‹ใ“ใจใ‚’่จผๆ˜Žใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚ใ€
ๆฑไบฌๅ‡บๅ…ฅๅ›ฝๅœจ็•™็ฎก็†ๅฑ€ (Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau) - 50 tips

Below is a complete โ€œdocuments packโ€ for Japan PR (Permanent Residence / ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ) using the 80+ points โ†’ 1-year fast track, for a work visa holder in Tokyo (Koto-ku).


1) First: which PR checklist applies to you?

You have two possible โ€œHSP-styleโ€ PR routes:

Route A โ€” You already hold HSP (้ซ˜ๅบฆๅฐ‚้–€่ท) status

You typically submit proof such as the HSP points calculation result notice (ใƒใ‚คใƒณใƒˆ่จˆ็ฎ—็ตๆžœ้€š็Ÿฅๆ›ธ) and related documents. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

Route B โ€” You do NOT hold HSP status (youโ€™re on Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/etc.), but you qualify by points

You apply for PR using the โ€œ80 points for 1 yearโ€ evidence set (the PR checklist specifically mentions cases for 80 points / 1 year and includes the public pension/health insurance payment proof requirements). (Ministry of Justice Japan)

From what you wrote (โ€œEngineering visa, opting HSP routeโ€), Route B is usually what you mean.


2) Core PR application forms (mandatory)

These are the โ€œmust-have formsโ€ for PR submission:

  1. Permanent Residence Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ›ธ) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  2. Photo (4cm ร— 3cm, recent) (standard PR requirement)
  3. Acknowledgement (ไบ†่งฃๆ›ธ) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  4. Guarantor / Letter of Guarantee (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ โ€” PR version) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  5. Reason Letter (็†็”ฑๆ›ธ) โ€” free format (why you want PR, stability, contribution, compliance)

Important rules from Immigration:


3) Identity & โ€œshow at counterโ€ items (mandatory)

Bring originals (they usually check and return immediately):

  • Passport (original)
  • Residence Card (original)

4) Residence / household document (mandatory)

  • Jลซminhyล (ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ) for your household (ไธ–ๅธฏๅ…จๅ“ก), typically with MyNumber omitted (ใƒžใ‚คใƒŠใƒณใƒใƒผ็œ็•ฅ)
    • Koto-ku: can be obtained via ward office / branch, and also via convenience store with MyNumber card (rules/fees vary). (Koto City)

If you have spouse/children applying with you (or your situation depends on family status), also prepare:

  • Marriage certificate / Birth certificates etc. + Japanese translations (see translation section below). (Ministry of Justice Japan)

5) Tax documents (mandatory for 80-point PR package)

A) Local taxes (Koto-ku)

You typically need both:

  • Resident tax โ€œTaxation certificateโ€ (่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ / ้ž่ชฒ็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ)
  • Resident tax โ€œPayment certificateโ€ (็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ)

Koto-ku notes (useful for your planning):

  • Convenience store issuance is limited (e.g., taxation certificate only / latest year; payment certificate not via conbini). (Koto City)

B) National tax certificate (Tax office / NTA)

  • National Tax Payment Certificate (็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ) โ€” commonly โ€œใใฎ3โ€ is used in PR document packs, and it can be requested via e-Tax. (e-Tax)

6) Public pension + public health insurance payment proof (mandatory for 80-point route)

Immigration explicitly requires proof for pension/health insurance compliance, and also instructs masking sensitive numbers:

Masking rule (very important)

If documents show:

  • Basic pension number (ๅŸบ็คŽๅนด้‡‘็•ชๅท)
  • Health insurer number / insured symbols & numbers
    You must black them out so they cannot be restored. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

A) Pension proof (choose the applicable set)

Typical accepted proofs include:

  • Nenkin Teikibin (ใญใ‚“ใใ‚“ๅฎšๆœŸไพฟ) showing full record, or
  • Nenkin Net (ใญใ‚“ใใ‚“ใƒใƒƒใƒˆ) โ€œmonthly pension recordโ€ printout (ๅ„ๆœˆใฎๅนด้‡‘่จ˜้Œฒ) (National Pension Service)

And if you had any period under National Pension (ๅ›ฝๆฐ‘ๅนด้‡‘), Immigration requires submitting the receipts/copies for that period (for the required timeframe), or submit a reason letter if difficult. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

B) Health insurance proof

You submit proof depending on what you are on:

  • Employee health insurance (็คพไผšไฟ้™บ) vs National Health Insurance (ๅ›ฝๆฐ‘ๅฅๅบทไฟ้™บ)
    The 80-point PR checklist explicitly includes health insurance/pension premium proof items. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

7) Employment & income stability documents (mandatory)

For a work-visa applicant, prepare:

  • Certificate of Employment (ๅœจ่ท่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ) (issued by your company HR)
  • Income proof for the relevant year(s): e.g., withholding tax slip (ๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจ), salary statement, contract/offer letter, payslips (as supporting)
  • If you changed jobs in the last year: previous employment certificate + explanation

8) 80+ points evidence pack (mandatory)

For the โ€œPR after 1 year with 80+ pointsโ€, you should submit:

A) Points calculation sheet (for two dates)

You normally prepare:

  • Points as of the application date
  • Points as of 1 year before the application date (to show you met 80+ for the required 1-year period)

The Immigration points framework and official point-table references are provided by ISA. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

B) Evidence for each point item you claim (match the points table)

For your profile, the common evidence set is:

Education (Masterโ€™s degrees)

Work experience (20 years)

  • Experience letters from previous employers, appointment letters, reference letters, or other official proof

Annual salary (14M)

  • Tax certificates + company income proof (source documents should support the salary points)

Age (41)

  • Passport bio page copy (and/or residence card) supports age claim

9) Guarantor pack (mandatory)

You must submit the PR guarantor form (่บซๅ…ƒไฟ่จผๆ›ธ). (Ministry of Justice Japan)

Who can be guarantor (common standard):

  • A Japanese national or a Permanent Resident is typically used as guarantor. (Visa Japan)

In practice, immigration commonly wants:

  • Guarantor form filled + signature
  • A copy of guarantor ID / residence status (commonly requested)

(Exact supporting documents can vary by office/case, but the guarantor form itself is required.) (Ministry of Justice Japan)


10) Translation: since all your documents are in English

Yes โ€” for PR, if documents are not in Japanese, attach Japanese translations. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

Translation format tips (works in practice):

  • Keep the translation on A4
  • Include: Translator name + date
  • It does not usually need notarization (unless specifically requested), but it must be accurate and complete.

11) Where you submit in Tokyo (your address: Koto-ku)

For Koto-ku residents, PR is handled at Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau (Shinagawa):

  • Address: ใ€’108-8255 ๆฑไบฌ้ƒฝๆธฏๅŒบๆธฏๅ—5-5-30 (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • PR and โ€œnon-COEโ€ applications are typically at the 2F B counter (general guidance), and Tokyo has a reservation system to reduce waiting. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

12) Payment (PR fee) โ€” when and how

  • You do not pay at filing.
  • You pay only if approved: 10,000 yen, paid by revenue stamp (ๅŽๅ…ฅๅฐ็ด™). (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • Fees were revised from 2025-04-01, and official notices explain the effective date rules. (Ministry of Justice Japan)

Quick โ€œEverything Checklistโ€ (copy/paste)

Forms

Show originals at submission

  • Passport
  • Residence card

Residence

  • ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ๏ผˆไธ–ๅธฏๅ…จๅ“กใ€ใƒžใ‚คใƒŠใƒณใƒใƒผ็œ็•ฅ๏ผ‰ (Koto City)

Taxes

  • ไฝๆฐ‘็จŽ ่ชฒ็จŽ๏ผˆ้ž่ชฒ็จŽ๏ผ‰่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ๏ผˆ็›ด่ฟ‘ๅˆ†๏ผ‰ (Koto City)
  • ไฝๆฐ‘็จŽ ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ๏ผˆ็›ด่ฟ‘ๅˆ†๏ผ‰ (Koto City)
  • ๅ›ฝ็จŽ ็ด็จŽ่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ๏ผˆe-Tax/็จŽๅ‹™็ฝฒ๏ผ‰ (e-Tax)

Pension / Health insurance (mask numbers!)

  • ใญใ‚“ใใ‚“ๅฎšๆœŸไพฟ๏ผˆๅ…จๆœŸ้–“๏ผ‰ใพใŸใฏ ใญใ‚“ใใ‚“ใƒใƒƒใƒˆๅ„ๆœˆ่จ˜้Œฒๅฐๅˆท (National Pension Service)
  • ๅ›ฝๆฐ‘ๅนด้‡‘ใซๅŠ ๅ…ฅๆœŸ้–“ใŒใ‚ใ‚‹ๅ ดๅˆ๏ผš้ ˜ๅŽ่จผๆ›ธ๏ผˆๅฟ…่ฆๆœŸ้–“ๅˆ†๏ผ‰ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • ๅฅๅบทไฟ้™บใฎๅŠ ๅ…ฅ/็ดไป˜็Šถๆณ่ณ‡ๆ–™๏ผˆ่ฉฒๅฝ“ๅˆถๅบฆใซๅฟœใ˜ใฆ๏ผ‰ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • ๅŸบ็คŽๅนด้‡‘็•ชๅทใƒปไฟ้™บ็•ชๅทใชใฉใฏ้ป’ๅก—ใ‚Š (Ministry of Justice Japan)

Work / Income

  • ๅœจ่ท่จผๆ˜Žๆ›ธ
  • ๅŽๅ…ฅ่จผๆ˜Ž๏ผˆๆบๆณ‰ๅพดๅŽ็ฅจใ€็ตฆไธŽ่จผๆ˜Žใ€ๅฅ‘็ด„ๆ›ธใชใฉ่ฃœๅผท๏ผ‰

80-point evidence

  • ใƒใ‚คใƒณใƒˆ่จˆ็ฎ—๏ผˆ็”ณ่ซ‹ๆ—ฅ & 1ๅนดๅ‰ใฎ2ใค๏ผ‰ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • ๅญฆไฝ่จผๆ˜Ž๏ผˆไฟฎๅฃซร—2๏ผ‰๏ผ‹ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชž่จณ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
  • ่ทๆญด่จผๆ˜Ž๏ผˆ20ๅนด๏ผ‰
  • ๅนดๅŽ14Mใฎ่ฃไป˜ใ‘๏ผˆ็จŽใƒป็ตฆไธŽ่ณ‡ๆ–™๏ผ‰

Translation rule

  • ่‹ฑๆ–‡ๆ›ธ้กžใ™ในใฆใซๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชž่จณ๏ผ‹็ฟป่จณ่€…ๅใƒปๆ—ฅไป˜ (Ministry of Justice Japan)

If you want, paste your exact points breakdown items (which bonus points youโ€™re claiming, if any), and Iโ€™ll give you a โ€œdocuments-to-points mappingโ€ (for each point line: what exact document to attach) so your PR file is organized exactly the way immigration expects.

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