Below is a deep, step-by-step โ80+ points for 1 yearโ PR guide for Japan, assuming youโre 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 โdeemed HSPโ / point-based fast-track). The PR application itself uses the Permanent Resident (ๆฐธไฝ่ ) permission process.
0) First confirm you qualify for the โ80 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).
(Immigrationโs PR residency-period โreviewโ 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:
- Points calculation โas of todayโ, and
- Points calculation โas of exactly 1 year before your application dateโ
(practitioners and checklists commonly require both; itโs also consistent with the โ1-year continuousโ requirement). (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
C. Also make sure you have โclean complianceโ
PR is heavily judged on tax + pension + health insurance compliance (no late payments / gaps), plus general law compliance. Immigrationโs own PR page includes a strict self-check warning that a single โNoโ item can make denial likely. (Ministry of Justice)
1) Identify your HSP activity category for points
For most engineers, youโll use:
- Advanced specialized/technical activities (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท 1ๅทใญ)
The points sheet youโll use for PR is the โHSP points calculation tableโ for your category (1ๅทใญ 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 Masterโs degrees
This typically clears 80 comfortably via:
- Masterโs 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 โ1 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. Thatโs the #1 trap.
C. Evidence you should prepare for each points block
Prepare proof documents (โ็ๆ่ณๆโ) for every item you claim:
Academic (ๅญฆๆญด)
- Degree certificate(s)
- If claiming โmultiple degrees in different fields,โ include transcripts or documents showing the majors differ (some point tables explicitly ask for evidence when the degree title doesnโt show the major).
Career / work experience (่ทๆญด)
- Experience letters from past employers OR
- Detailed CV + supporting documents (old contracts, reference letters, etc.)
Salary (ๅนดๅ)
For today:
- Employment contract / compensation letter
- Recent payslips
- Withholding slip (ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ) or equivalent annual income proof
For 1 year ago:
- Last yearโs withholding slip (ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ) 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 doesnโt 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 โ80-point PRโ filing style applies to you
You can fast-track PR in two practical ways:
Method 1: You already hold HSP status (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท)
You submit PR under the โhighly skilledโ PR category.
Method 2 (very common): You do NOT hold HSP status, but you qualify by points (โdeemed 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 โdonโt have HSP but have 70/80 pointsโ. (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
4) Collect the PR application forms (latest official formats)
A. PR Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ)
The official PR form includes:
- Your personal info
- Your job/income
- Family details
- Guarantor section (ๅจๆฅ่บซๅ ไฟ่จผไบบ)
B. Consent letter (ไบ่งฃๆธ)
Immigration introduced/required the PR consent letter (ไบ่งฃๆธ) (commonly required in modern PR filings). (Ministry of Justice)
C. Guarantor form (่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ)
This is submitted with the guarantorโs details and signature. (Ministry of Justice)
D. Fee payment slip (ๆๆฐๆ็ดไปๆธ)
You typically submit the fee after approval, using the designated slip with a revenue stamp. (Ministry of Justice)
5) Build your document pack (the โ80 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
- PR Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ)
- Photo (commonly 4cmร3cm) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Reason letter (็็ฑๆธ) โ why you want PR, your contribution, stability, compliance
- Consent letter (ไบ่งฃๆธ) (Ministry of Justice)
- HSP Points Calculation Sheet โ โTodayโ (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- HSP Points Calculation Sheet โ โ1 year agoโ (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Evidence for each claimed point (degrees, experience proof, salary proof, etc.) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Passport + residence card (usually shown at the counter) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
(B) Documents you obtain from the city office / tax office
- Jลซminhyล (ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ) โ household/residency certificate (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Resident tax proof (ไฝๆฐ็จ) for the most recent year:
- Taxation certificate (่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ)
- Tax payment certificate (็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- National tax proof (ๅฝ็จ): โno tax arrearsโ certificate (commonly ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ(ใใฎ3))
You can obtain tax payment certificates via the National Tax Agency / e-Tax processes. (nta.go.jp)
(C) Social insurance compliance (very important)
- Pension payment record for the most recent year (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Public medical insurance payment record for the most recent year (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
Important โlatestโ 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
- Certificate of employment (ๅจ่ท่จผๆๆธ) or equivalent (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Employment contract and/or job description (helpful, especially if requested)
- Salary/income proof:
- Withholding slip (ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ), payslips, etc. (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
(E) Guarantor documents (่บซๅ ไฟ่จผไบบ)
Your PR form requires a guarantor section.
Commonly submitted:
17) Guarantor form (่บซๅ
ไฟ่จผๆธ) (Ministry of Justice)
18) Guarantor ID copy (residence card / driverโs license / MyNumber card, etc.) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
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 (ๅธๅฝนๆ / ๅบๅฝนๆ)
Ask for:
- ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ (with household details as needed)
- ่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ (latest year)
- ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ (latest year)
B. Tax office (็จๅ็ฝฒ) / e-Tax
Ask for:
- ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ(ใใฎ3) or equivalent โno 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), youโll show:
- Payment record / statement printouts for the last year (commonly from Nenkin Net / statements), or official certificates.
D. Health insurance (ๅฅๅบทไฟ้บ)
Show proof of:
- Payment status (if self-paid), or
- Enrollment/payment via employer records, plus whatever โqualification 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, Iโll point you to the exact bureau/branch you should use (without guessing).
8) Submission method, hours, and โonline 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. (ๅคง้ชใปๆฑไบฌใปๆจชๆตใฎใใถ็ณ่ซ๏ผๅธฐๅ็ณ่ซใฏ่กๆฟๆธๅฃซๆณไบบ็ฌฌไธ็ถๅไบๅๆ)
B. Go to the counter (bring originals)
Typical reception hours are often weekday daytime (varies by office). Many references list 9:00โ12:00 and 13:00โ16:00 for immigration counters. (fedu.uec.ac.jp)
C. What happens at submission
- You submit the full packet at the counter.
- They check completeness (not full screening yet).
- You receive a receipt / application number.
- 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 youโre approved by attaching a revenue stamp (ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด) 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
Itโs 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 โmonths,โ but real-world times vary widely by office and case volume. (่กๆฟๆธๅฃซใใใใไบๅๆ – ๅคๅฝไบบใฎใใถ็ณ่ซๆฏๆดใปใณใฟใผ)
11) Guarantor details (who, what they sign, what you submit)
A. Who can be guarantor (practical standard)
Common guidance: guarantor should be:
- A Japanese citizen or a PR holder living in Japan (June Advisors Group)
B. Where guarantor info appears
The PR application form includes a dedicated guarantor section (name, address, relationship, etc.).
C. What guarantor submits (typical)
- Signed ่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ
- Copy of ID (and sometimes additional documents depending on bureau practice) (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
12) The โ80 points for 1 yearโ pitfalls (avoid these)
These are the most common reasons otherwise-strong candidates get delayed or denied:
- You canโt prove 80 points โ1 year agoโ (salary changed recently; experience threshold crossed recently; degree recognition timing).
- Late / missed pension or health insurance payments in the last year. (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
- Resident tax not fully paid (especially if you moved cities and a bill got missed). (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
- Weak documentation for claimed points (e.g., experience not supported by letters).
- Foreign documents submitted without Japanese translations (can trigger supplementation).
13) A practical โdo-this-nowโ execution plan (so you can file cleanly)
Step 1 โ Lock your โapplication dateโ
Pick a target submission day, then define:
- โToday points dateโ = submission day
- โ1 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
- City office: resident tax docs + jลซminhyล
- Tax office/e-Tax: national tax certificate (nta.go.jp)
- Pension + health insurance: payment proofs for the latest year (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
Step 4 โ Write the reason letter (็็ฑๆธ)
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
- Guarantor form + ID copy (ๆ็ฅใฎใใถ็ณ่ซใในใฏ)
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 Iโll point you correctly). (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
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 โ1 year agoโ and also have 80+ points โtoday,โ and you meet the general PR guideline requirements (good conduct + stable livelihood + PR is in Japanโs interest). (Ministry of Justice)
Your 80-point calculation (HSP route, typical for engineers: ้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท1ๅทใญ)
Based on the official-style points tables:
| Category | Your info | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 41 | 0 (40+) |
| Work experience | 20 years | 20 (10+ years) |
| Annual salary | ยฅ14,000,000 | 40 (ยฅ10M+) |
| Education | Masterโs degree | 20 |
| Total | 80 |
Bonus possibility: If your two Masterโs degrees are in different fields, there is an additional +5 category for โmultiple graduate degrees in different fields.โ (Ministry of Justice)
(You donโt need it since you already hit 80, but itโs helpful as a buffer.)
1) Which โ80-point PRโ path applies to you?
There are two common โfast-track PRโ variants:
- You already hold โHighly Skilled Professionalโ (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท) status
- You do NOT hold ้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท, but you can prove 80+ points (your case: youโre on an engineering visa)
Immigration has a separate document guidance page/checklist for people who have 80+ points but are not on ้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท status. (Ministry of Justice)
2) Step-by-step process (end-to-end)
Step 1 โ Fix your โtwo reference datesโ for points proof
You must prepare points evidence for:
- A) Today (application date / ็ณ่ซๆ็น)
- B) Exactly 1 year before your application date (1ๅนดๅๆ็น) (Ministry of Justice)
Practical tip: pick an application date (e.g., next month), then count back 1 year and build a โ1-year-ago points fileโ for that date.
Step 2 โ Build your โPoints 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 (้ซๅบฆไบบๆใใคใณใ่จ็ฎ่กจ)
- Fill the category for your field (engineer usually uses ้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท1ๅทใญ concept).
2.2 Evidence for each points line
- Education (Masterโs): 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 (ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ) where possible
- (Optional) Two Masterโs in different fields: evidence both majors differ (to support +5) (Ministry of Justice)
Step 3 โ Confirm you satisfy PR โbaselineโ requirements
Immigrationโs PR guideline framework is essentially:
- Good conduct (็ด ่กใๅ่ฏ)
- Stable/independent livelihood (็ฌ็ซใฎ็่จ)
- PR benefits Japan (ๅฝ็) (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 โApplication 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
- ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ (PR application form) (Ministry of Justice)
- ๅ็ 4cmร3cm (photo) (Ministry of Justice)
- ็็ฑๆธ (reason statement โ why you want PR; and explanations for any missing items)
- ไบ่งฃๆธ (acknowledgement form) โ widely treated as required in modern practice (Guidable Jobs)
- ่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ (guarantor form) (Ministry of Justice)
- (Recently) a self-check sheet is used to avoid missing items (Ministry of Justice)
Step 5 โ Collect โproof documentsโ (where youโll spend most time)
5A) Residence certificate (ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ / Juminhyo)
- Get household juminhyo including you (and family if any)
- Must omit MyNumber (ๅไบบ็ชๅทใฏ็็ฅ) (ๆฐๅฎฟใซใใๅคๅฝไบบใฎใใถใปๅ
ฅ็ฎกๆ็ถใใฎ็ธ่ซใชใใฃใน)
In Koto-ku, juminhyo is commonly ยฅ300 at the counter (and often ยฅ200 via convenience-store issuance if eligible). (Koto City)
5B) Local tax documents (ไฝๆฐ็จ)
You commonly need:
- ่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ (taxation certificate / income + assessed resident tax)
- ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ (payment certificate, if you have payment history)
Koto-ku states resident tax certificates are typically ยฅ300 per copy at the counter; ่ชฒ็จใป้่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ can be ยฅ200 via convenience store for the latest year, but ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ is not available via convenience store. (Koto City)
Important โfirst-year-in-Japanโ issue (you are at 18 months):
Depending on timing, you may have limited resident-tax payment history. If you canโt produce something (because it wasnโt billed yet), write it clearly in your ็็ฑๆธ 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 (ๅฝ็จใฎ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ)
Commonly requested is a national-tax certificate such as ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ๏ผใใฎ3๏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.
- General PR pages often reference recent pension payment status evidence (e.g., pension office record forms and/or Nenkin Net records). (Ministry of Justice)
- For the 80-point / 1-year fast track, many checklists specify submitting โthe most recent 1 yearโ of pension/health insurance payment status evidence (because your qualifying period is 1 year). (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
Typical acceptable pension proofs (examples seen in official/standard checklists):
- ใญใใใใใใ printouts (ๅๆใฎๅนด้่จ้ฒ)
- ่ขซไฟ้บ่ ่จ้ฒ็ งไผๅ็ญ็ฅจ (from pension office) (Ministry of Justice)
Redaction rule: If documents show basic pension number / insurer numbers, black them out (common checklist instruction). (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
Health insurance proofs depend on your type
- If youโre 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 ไฟ่จผไบบ) details (what you must arrange)
You need a guarantor form (่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ). (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)
- Itโs generally treated as a โmoral 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 (ๆฑไบฌๅบๅ ฅๅฝๅจ็็ฎก็ๅฑ)
- Address: 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Reception hours for PR-related procedures are typically shown as 9:00โ12:00 and 13:00โ16:00 (weekdays) (Ministry of Justice)
Tokyo โApplication Reservation Systemโ (็ณ่ซไบ็ด)
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)
- They accept your packet, stamp/record it, and you keep your receipt/reference.
- Immigration may send a request for additional documents (่ฟฝๅ ่ณๆ).
- Keep everything โcleanโ 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 (ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด)
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 / ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด when approved). (Ministry of Justice)
(Always pay the fee the way your approval notice instructs; the โstamp paymentโ happens at approval stage, not at initial filing.)
3) โMaster Checklistโ โ build your submission folder (recommended structure)
Folder 1 โ Forms (ๅ ฅ็ฎกๆธๅผ)
- ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ
- ๅ็ (4ร3)
- ็็ฑๆธ
- ไบ่งฃๆธ
- ่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ
- Self-check sheet (Ministry of Justice)
Folder 2 โ Identity / Residence
- Passport copy + residence card copy
- Juminhyo (MyNumber omitted) (ๆฐๅฎฟใซใใๅคๅฝไบบใฎใใถใปๅ ฅ็ฎกๆ็ถใใฎ็ธ่ซใชใใฃใน)
Folder 3 โ Employment & Income
- ๅจ่ท่จผๆๆธ (employment certificate)
- Salary certificate / contract
- ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ (withholding slip)
Folder 4 โ Taxes (very important)
- Koto-ku: ่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ + ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ (as available) (Koto City)
- National tax: ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ๏ผใใฎ3๏ผ (typical)
Folder 5 โ Pension & Health insurance (very important)
- ใญใใใใใใ printouts and/or pension office records (Ministry of Justice)
- Health insurance coverage/payment proofs (type-dependent)
- Black out pension/insurer numbers when required (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
Folder 6 โ Points Pack (2 copies: โTodayโ and โ1 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 โ80 points / 1 yearโ applicants (and how to handle it)
Because youโve been in Japan 18 months, itโs possible you donโt yet have a perfect set of:
- resident tax โpayment historyโ documents (depending on billing timing), or
- a full 2-year pension/health record (you literally donโt 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. (VISAใใผใฟใซใตใใผใใปๅผ็)
If something is โnot issuable yet,โ you explain it in the ็็ฑๆธ 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 thatโs written in a foreign language, even if itโs English. (Ministry of Justice)
That said, thereโs an important practical nuance:
- The legal/standard rule is โforeign-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 โadditional 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:
- Masterโs 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 โ1 year agoโ and โtodayโ salary)
- Any foreign civil documents if applicable (marriage/birth certificates, etc.)
Usually no translation needed
- Japanese-issued documents (ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ, ่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ, ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ, ๅนด้ใปไฟ้บ records) โ already Japanese
- Passport/residence card copies (normally accepted as-is)
- Documents you donโt submit (no need to translate everything you ownโonly 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 theyโre 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:
- Copy of the original English document
- Japanese translation (typed is best)
- At the bottom (or last page) of the translation, add:
- Translator name
- Translation date
- Relationship to applicant (e.g., โๆฌไบบ / ไผ็คพๆ ๅฝ่ / ๅไบบโ)
- Signature (handwritten is fine)
This โtranslator 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:
- ่จณๆไฝๆ่ ๏ผTranslator๏ผ๏ผ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
- ็ฟป่จณๆฅ๏ผDate๏ผ๏ผ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
- ็ณ่ซไบบใจใฎ้ขไฟ๏ผRelationship๏ผ๏ผ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผไพ๏ผๆฌไบบ๏ผ
- ็ฝฒๅ๏ผSignature๏ผ๏ผ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ๏ผฟ
- ใๆฌ่จณๆใฏๅๆฌใซๅฟ ๅฎใงใใใใจใ่จผๆใใพใใใ
Below is a complete โdocuments packโ for Japan PR (Permanent Residence / ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ) 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 โHSP-styleโ PR routes:
Route A โ You already hold HSP (้ซๅบฆๅฐ้่ท) status
You typically submit proof such as the HSP points calculation result notice (ใใคใณใ่จ็ฎ็ตๆ้็ฅๆธ) and related documents. (Ministry of Justice Japan)
Route B โ You do NOT hold HSP status (youโre on Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/etc.), but you qualify by points
You apply for PR using the โ80 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 (โEngineering visa, opting HSP routeโ), Route B is usually what you mean.
2) Core PR application forms (mandatory)
These are the โmust-have formsโ for PR submission:
- Permanent Residence Application Form (ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- Photo (4cm ร 3cm, recent) (standard PR requirement)
- Acknowledgement (ไบ่งฃๆธ) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- Guarantor / Letter of Guarantee (่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ โ PR version) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- Reason Letter (็็ฑๆธ) โ free format (why you want PR, stability, contribution, compliance)
Important rules from Immigration:
- If any submitted documents are in a foreign language, attach a Japanese translation. (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- Documents are generally not returned, so submit copies unless originals are required. (Ministry of Justice Japan)
3) Identity & โshow at counterโ items (mandatory)
Bring originals (they usually check and return immediately):
- Passport (original)
- Residence Card (original)
4) Residence / household document (mandatory)
- Jลซminhyล (ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ) for your household (ไธๅธฏๅ
จๅก), typically with MyNumber omitted (ใใคใใณใใผ็็ฅ)
- 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 โTaxation certificateโ (่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ / ้่ชฒ็จ่จผๆๆธ)
- Resident tax โPayment certificateโ (็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ)
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 (็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ) โ commonly โใใฎ3โ 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 (ๅบ็คๅนด้็ชๅท)
- 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 (ใญใใใๅฎๆไพฟ) showing full record, or
- Nenkin Net (ใญใใใใใใ) โmonthly pension recordโ printout (ๅๆใฎๅนด้่จ้ฒ) (National Pension Service)
And if you had any period under National Pension (ๅฝๆฐๅนด้), 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 (็คพไผไฟ้บ) vs National Health Insurance (ๅฝๆฐๅฅๅบทไฟ้บ)
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 (ๅจ่ท่จผๆๆธ) (issued by your company HR)
- Income proof for the relevant year(s): e.g., withholding tax slip (ๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจ), 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 โPR 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 (Masterโs degrees)
- Degree certificates / graduation certificates + Japanese translations (Ministry of Justice Japan)
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 ไฟ่จผๆธ). (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: ใ108-8255 ๆฑไบฌ้ฝๆธฏๅบๆธฏๅ5-5-30 (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- PR and โnon-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 (ๅๅ ฅๅฐ็ด). (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- Fees were revised from 2025-04-01, and official notices explain the effective date rules. (Ministry of Justice Japan)
Quick โEverything Checklistโ (copy/paste)
Forms
- ๆฐธไฝ่จฑๅฏ็ณ่ซๆธ (PR application form) (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ๅ็ 4ร3cm
- ไบ่งฃๆธ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ่บซๅ ไฟ่จผๆธ๏ผPR็จ๏ผ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ็็ฑๆธ๏ผ่ช็ฑๅฝขๅผ๏ผ
Show originals at submission
- Passport
- Residence card
Residence
- ไฝๆฐ็ฅจ๏ผไธๅธฏๅ จๅกใใใคใใณใใผ็็ฅ๏ผ (Koto City)
Taxes
- ไฝๆฐ็จ ่ชฒ็จ๏ผ้่ชฒ็จ๏ผ่จผๆๆธ๏ผ็ด่ฟๅ๏ผ (Koto City)
- ไฝๆฐ็จ ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ๏ผ็ด่ฟๅ๏ผ (Koto City)
- ๅฝ็จ ็ด็จ่จผๆๆธ๏ผe-Tax/็จๅ็ฝฒ๏ผ (e-Tax)
Pension / Health insurance (mask numbers!)
- ใญใใใๅฎๆไพฟ๏ผๅ จๆ้๏ผใพใใฏ ใญใใใใใใๅๆ่จ้ฒๅฐๅท (National Pension Service)
- ๅฝๆฐๅนด้ใซๅ ๅ ฅๆ้ใใใๅ ดๅ๏ผ้ ๅ่จผๆธ๏ผๅฟ ่ฆๆ้ๅ๏ผ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ๅฅๅบทไฟ้บใฎๅ ๅ ฅ/็ดไป็ถๆณ่ณๆ๏ผ่ฉฒๅฝๅถๅบฆใซๅฟใใฆ๏ผ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ๅบ็คๅนด้็ชๅทใปไฟ้บ็ชๅทใชใฉใฏ้ปๅกใ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
Work / Income
- ๅจ่ท่จผๆๆธ
- ๅๅ ฅ่จผๆ๏ผๆบๆณๅพดๅ็ฅจใ็ตฆไธ่จผๆใๅฅ็ดๆธใชใฉ่ฃๅผท๏ผ
80-point evidence
- ใใคใณใ่จ็ฎ๏ผ็ณ่ซๆฅ & 1ๅนดๅใฎ2ใค๏ผ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ๅญฆไฝ่จผๆ๏ผไฟฎๅฃซร2๏ผ๏ผๆฅๆฌ่ช่จณ (Ministry of Justice Japan)
- ่ทๆญด่จผๆ๏ผ20ๅนด๏ผ
- ๅนดๅ14Mใฎ่ฃไปใ๏ผ็จใป็ตฆไธ่ณๆ๏ผ
Translation rule
- ่ฑๆๆธ้กใในใฆใซๆฅๆฌ่ช่จณ๏ผ็ฟป่จณ่ ๅใปๆฅไป (Ministry of Justice Japan)
If you want, paste your exact points breakdown items (which bonus points youโre claiming, if any), and Iโll give you a โdocuments-to-points mappingโ (for each point line: what exact document to attach) so your PR file is organized exactly the way immigration expects.