Long-term Resident - Required Documents
The Long-term Resident status of residence is for persons whom the Minister of Justice permits to reside in Japan for a designated period of stay, considering special circumstances.
| Eligible Persons | Persons whom the Minister of Justice permits to reside for a designated period of stay considering special circumstances |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (within 5 years) |
Types of Eligible Persons
Required documents vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances. This page primarily covers the case of third-generation Japanese descendants.
- Third-generation Japanese descendant
- Spouse of a second-generation Japanese descendant
- Spouse of a third-generation Japanese descendant
- Unmarried minor biological child supported by a permanent resident, long-term resident, spouse or child of a Japanese national, spouse or child of a permanent resident, or special permanent resident
- Adopted child under 6 years old supported by a Japanese national, permanent resident, long-term resident, or special permanent resident
※ For detailed documents for other eligible person types, please check the ISA official page in the Reference Links section below.
Required Documents by Application Type
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about how to fill out application forms, required documents, etc., please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant processing delays or denial of permission.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- Submitted materials will not be returned in principle. If you wish to have them returned, please inform the office at the time of application.
- Additional documents may be requested during the review process.
Note: Due to the revision of the Civil Code, “minor” as stipulated in Long-term Resident Public Notice No. 6 has been changed from under 20 years old to under 18 years old, effective from April 1, 2022.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
This is the application for those who wish to enter Japan with a Long-term Resident status of residence for the first time. The following are the required documents for third-generation Japanese descendants.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months prior to application, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail (404 yen).
4. Family register (koseki tohon) or removed family register (joseki tohon) (complete record certificate) of grandparent (Japanese national) - 1 copy
5. Certificate of acceptance of marriage notification (for grandparents and parents) - 1 copy each
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
6. Certificate of acceptance of birth notification (for the applicant) - 1 copy
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
7. Certificate of acceptance of death notification (for grandparents and parents) - 1 copy each
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
8. Resident record (for all household members) of cohabitant in Japan - 1 copy
※ Submit only if living with a resident of Japan. Omit the Individual Number (My Number), but include all other items without omission.
9. Documents proving occupation and income
(1) When the applicant proves by themselves
- (a) Bank balance certificate (in the applicant’s name) - 1 copy
- (b) Certificate of prospective employment or job offer letter (issued by a Japanese company) - 1 copy
(2) When the financial supporter is in Japan
Residence tax certificate (taxation or non-taxation) and tax payment certificate for the most recent 1 year of the financial supporter (showing total income and tax payment status for the year) - 1 copy each. Issued by the ward/city/town/village office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate includes both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
10. Guarantee letter - 1 copy
※ The guarantor is typically a Japanese national or permanent resident residing in Japan.
11. Criminal record certificate of the applicant (issued by the home country authority) - 1 copy
12. Marriage certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for grandparents and parents - 1 copy each
13. Birth certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for parents and the applicant - 1 copy each
14. Certificate of acknowledgment of parentage issued by the home country (foreign) authority for the applicant - 1 copy (if applicable)
※ Submit only if you have a certificate of acknowledgment of parentage.
15. Official documents proving that the grandparents and parents existed (as appropriate)
Example: Passports, death certificates, driver’s licenses, etc. of grandparents and parents.
16. Official documents proving the applicant’s identity (as appropriate)
Example: ID card, driver’s license, military service certificate, voter registration booklet, etc.
17. Documents proving a certain level of Japanese language ability (if applicable)
※ Required when applying for a period of stay of “5 years” (excluding minors). One of the following:
- Documents proving completion of 6 months or more of Japanese language education at a Japanese language institution designated by the Minister of Justice by public notice
- Documents proving Japanese language ability equivalent to B1 or higher in the “Framework for Japanese Language Education” (JLPT N2 certificate, or N3 certificate with a total score of 104 points or more, or BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 400 points or more)
- Documents proving completion of 1 year or more of education at a school stipulated in Article 1 of the School Education Act (excluding kindergartens)
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This is the application for those who are already residing in Japan with another status of residence and wish to change to Long-term Resident status. The following are the required documents for third-generation Japanese descendants.
※ If you are no longer engaged in the activities based on your original status of residence, or if there has been a change in your personal status, please apply promptly. Your status of residence may be revoked if you are not engaged in activities based on your original status.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Family register (koseki tohon) or removed family register (joseki tohon) (complete record certificate) of grandparent (Japanese national) - 1 copy
5. Certificate of acceptance of marriage notification (for grandparents and parents) - 1 copy each
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
6. Certificate of acceptance of birth notification (for the applicant) - 1 copy
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
7. Certificate of acceptance of death notification (for grandparents and parents) - 1 copy each
※ Submit only if the notification was filed with a Japanese government office.
8. Resident record of the applicant (for all household members) - 1 copy
※ Omit the Individual Number (My Number), but include all other items without omission.
9. Documents proving occupation and income
(1) When the applicant proves by themselves
- (a) Bank balance certificate (in the applicant’s name) - as appropriate
- (b) Certificate of prospective employment or job offer letter (issued by a Japanese company) - 1 copy
(2) When the financial supporter is in Japan
Residence tax certificate (taxation or non-taxation) and tax payment certificate for the most recent 1 year of the financial supporter (showing total income and tax payment status for the year) - 1 copy each. Issued by the ward/city/town/village office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate includes both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
10. Guarantee letter - 1 copy
※ The guarantor is typically a Japanese national or permanent resident residing in Japan.
11. Criminal record certificate of the applicant (issued by the home country authority) - 1 copy
12. Marriage certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for grandparents and parents - 1 copy each
13. Birth certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for parents and the applicant - 1 copy each
14. Certificate of acknowledgment of parentage issued by the home country (foreign) authority for the applicant - 1 copy (if applicable)
※ Submit only if you have a certificate of acknowledgment of parentage.
15. Official documents proving that the grandparents and parents existed (as appropriate)
Example: Passports, death certificates, driver’s licenses, etc. of grandparents and parents.
16. Official documents proving the applicant’s identity (as appropriate)
Example: ID card, driver’s license, military service certificate, voter registration booklet, etc.
17. Documents proving a certain level of Japanese language ability (if applicable)
※ Required when applying for a period of stay of “5 years” (excluding minors). Details are the same as No. 17 of the new application.
When Changing from Spouse of Japanese National/Permanent Resident to Long-term Resident
If you wish to change to Long-term Resident after divorce or death of spouse, please refer to Approved/Denied Cases.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This is the application for those who are already residing in Japan with Long-term Resident status and wish to extend their period of stay. The following are the required documents for third-generation Japanese descendants, and the required documents differ between the first extension and subsequent extensions.
First Extension (first extension after entry)
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Family register (koseki tohon) or removed family register (joseki tohon) (complete record certificate) of grandparent (Japanese national) - 1 copy
5. Resident record of the applicant (for all household members) - 1 copy
※ Omit the Individual Number (My Number), but include all other items without omission.
6. Residence tax certificate (taxation or non-taxation) and tax payment certificate
For the most recent 1 year of the applicant or spouse (whichever has higher income). Must show total income and tax payment status for the year. Issued by the ward/city/town/village office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate includes both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
7. Documents proving occupation and income
If employed
Certificate of employment for the applicant or spouse (whichever has higher income) - 1 copy.
If self-employed
- Copy of final tax return for the applicant or spouse (whichever has higher income) - 1 copy
- Copy of business license for the applicant or spouse (whichever has higher income) (if available) - 1 copy
If unemployed
Instead of occupation/income documents, submit a copy of bank passbook as appropriate (screenshots of online banking showing transaction history are also acceptable, provided they are printed in a non-editable format).
If a dependent (supported by parents, etc.)
Submit according to the supporter’s employment status:
- If the supporter is employed: Supporter’s certificate of employment - 1 copy
- If the supporter is self-employed: Supporter’s copy of final tax return - 1 copy and copy of business license (if available) - 1 copy
- If the supporter is unemployed: Copy of bank passbook - 1 copy
※ The residence tax/tax payment certificate (No. 6) should be for the supporter.
8. Guarantee letter - 1 copy
※ The guarantor is typically a Japanese national or permanent resident residing in Japan.
9. Criminal record certificate of the applicant (issued by the home country authority) - 1 copy
※ Submit only if you have never submitted one to the immigration authorities before.
10. Marriage certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for grandparents and parents - 1 copy each
11. Birth certificate issued by the home country (foreign) authority for parents and the applicant - 1 copy each
12. Certificate of acknowledgment of parentage issued by the home country (foreign) authority for the applicant - 1 copy (if applicable)
※ Submit only if you have a certificate of acknowledgment of parentage.
13. Documents proving a certain level of Japanese language ability (if applicable)
※ Required when applying for a period of stay of “5 years” (excluding minors). Details are the same as No. 17 of the new application.
Subsequent Extensions
For subsequent extensions, some documents are simplified compared to the first extension. No. 4 (family register), No. 10 (marriage certificate), and No. 11 (birth certificate) from the first extension are not required in principle.
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Resident record of the applicant (for all household members) - 1 copy
5. Residence tax certificate (taxation or non-taxation) and tax payment certificate
For the most recent 1 year of the applicant or spouse (whichever has higher income). Details are the same as No. 6 of the first extension.
6. Documents proving occupation and income
Same as No. 7 of the first extension (employed: certificate of employment, self-employed: copy of final tax return/business license, unemployed: copy of bank passbook, dependent: supporter’s relevant documents).
7. Guarantee letter - 1 copy
8. Criminal record certificate of the applicant (issued by the home country authority) - 1 copy
※ Submit only if you have never submitted one to the immigration authorities before.
9. Documents proving a certain level of Japanese language ability (if applicable)
※ Required when applying for a period of stay of “5 years” (excluding minors). Details are the same as No. 17 of the new application.
Reference Links
- Immigration Services Agency - Status of Residence “Long-term Resident” (Japanese)
- Third-generation Japanese descendant details (Japanese)
- Spouse of second-generation Japanese descendant details (Japanese)
- Unmarried minor biological child details (Japanese)
- Adopted child under 6 years old details (Japanese)
- Document checklist - New application (PDF)
- Document checklist - Change of status (PDF)
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