Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person

Japan has recently updated its permanent residency guidelines for foreigners, raising the income threshold significantly. Previously, an annual income of around 3 million yen was considered the baseline for applicants; however, the new guidelines require applicants to earn above the national average income, which is approximately 4.5 million yen for an adult and 5.8 million yen for a household.

This increase brings the minimum required income up by 50%, and even retroactively applies to applications submitted as much as six months ago. The new criteria include earning more than the average Japanese person, having good conduct and job skills, and serving Japan's national interests. Additionally, the residency requirements for foreigners married to Japanese citizens are being lengthened from three years of marriage and one year of living in Japan to five years and three years, respectively.

Foreign residents, not married to a Japanese citizen, will still need to have lived in Japan for ten years to be eligible. The guidelines also take into account applicants' projected pension benefits, requiring benefits equivalent to those of someone who has paid into Japan's national pension system for 30 years. These changes come amidst high inflation and increased foreign tourism in Japan, but may have a negative impact on younger foreign applicants' interest in relocating due to the long-term commitment required.