PERMANENT VISA/ PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA
Q		What are the merits of a permanent visa?
A		There is no residency term with regard to a permanent visa. Once you obtain a permanent visa, you do not need to renew your visa status. That is, an application for an extension of your period of stay is no longer required. In addition, your activities are not limited.
Q		What are the requirements for a permanent visa?
A		The Minister of Justice may grant permanent residence permission provided that an applicant satisfies requirements of "good conduct" and "sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living". However, foreign nationals having a spouse visa are exempt from these above mentioned requirements. Furthermore, the Minister of Justice must deem that the applicant's permanent residence will be in accordance with the interests of Japan. In practice, the applicant is required to have lived continuously in Japan for a particular period depending on his situation. For example, the periods are ten years for a person having a working visa, five years after obtaining a long term resident visa, and three years after getting married to a Japanese for a person having a spouse visa. The above mentioned "ten years", however, is not sufficient for some cases. For example, a person who started as a pre-college student or college student in Japan and changed from a student visa to a working visa must have resided in Japan more than five years since his or her working visa was granted. Furthermore, the period of stay of your visa should be the longest in your visa category.
Q		Who can be your guarantor in Japan for the purpose of applying for a permanent visa?
A		Either a Japanese or a foreign resident having a permanent visa can be your guarantor.
Q		What should be noted after filing an application for a permanent visa and after obtaining a permanent visa?
A		You have to renew your current visa status while you do not obtain a permanent visa. Also, it is necessary to get a re-entry permit before leaving Japan if you want to continue to live in Japan.