New and updated changes to Japan’s visa and permanent residence rules, each with its official source.https://juncho.app/enhttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-revocation/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-revocation/Decided. The 2024 amendment to the Immigration Act takes effect on 1 Apr 2027. PR can be revoked for deliberately not paying taxes or social insurance, certain breaches of immigration duties, or certain crimes. ISA expects most cases to end in a change to Long-Term Resident, not removal.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-rules-and-systems/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-rules-and-systems/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. The assessment method hasn't been announced. ISA will check PR applicants' understanding of Japan's rules and systems, mainly against its Guidebook on Living and Working. It hasn't said how yet.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-japanese-b1/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-japanese-b1/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. PR applicants will generally be expected to have Japanese at CEFR B1 level or above. ISA says it will publish which tests count before the rule starts in April 2027.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-max-period-of-stay/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-max-period-of-stay/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. Until 31 Mar 2027, a 3-year permit still counts as the maximum. PR applicants must hold the maximum period of stay. For applications filed from 1 April 2027 that generally means a 5-year permit. A 3-year permit still counts until then, and in one narrow case after.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-absences-abroad/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-absences-abroad/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. The 10-year window is counted back from the application. One trip abroad of 6 months or more, or 2 years 6 months abroad in total over the last 10 years, will generally count against a PR application unless there's a reasonable cause.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-pension-projection/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-pension-projection/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. A PR applicant's projected pension will be compared with what 30 years of employee pension at above-average income would pay. Savings can make up a shortfall.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-spouse-route-5-and-3/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-spouse-route-5-and-3/Decided. Applications filed on or after 1 Apr 2027. Applications filed by 31 Mar 2027 are assessed under the current 3 + 1 rule. Spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents will need 5 years of genuine married life and 3 years of continuous residence, up from 3 and 1. Children will need 3 years, up from 1.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/ikusei-shuro/https://juncho.app/changes/ikusei-shuro/Decided. The amendment law takes effect on 1 Apr 2027, except for some provisions. The Employment for Skill Development system (育成就労) takes effect on 1 April 2027 and replaces the Technical Intern Training Program.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-fee-200000/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-fee-200000/In force. Applications received on or after 1 Oct 2026. Applications received by 30 Sep 2026 pay the old ¥10,000, even if they're granted later. Permanent residence now costs ¥200,000 in revenue stamps when it's granted, up from ¥10,000, for applications received from 1 October 2026.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/pr-household-income/https://juncho.app/changes/pr-household-income/In force. Guideline revised 1 Oct 2026. The income rule covers applications filed from 1 Apr 2026 that were still pending on 1 Oct 2026, and every application after that. A permanent residence applicant's household income is generally expected to stay above the average income of a Japanese household of the same size. ISA says it won't publish the yen figures. This part of the 1 October 2026 guideline already applies to pending applications.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/residence-fees-2026/https://juncho.app/changes/residence-fees-2026/In force. Applications received on or after 1 Oct 2026. Applications received by 30 Sep 2026 pay the old fee, even if they're granted later. From 1 October 2026, renewing or changing your status of residence online costs ¥27,000 for a 1-year permit and ¥65,000 for 5 years, plus a small payment fee. Applying at the counter costs more.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/combined-residence-card/https://juncho.app/changes/combined-residence-card/In force. Available since 14 Jun 2026. Optional. Since 14 June 2026, you can get a 特定在留カード: a residence card with My Number card functions built in. It's optional.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/naturalisation-2026/https://juncho.app/changes/naturalisation-2026/In force. From 1 Apr 2026. These are changes in how applications are handled, not in the Nationality Act. Since 1 April 2026, naturalisation applicants are expected in principle to have lived in Japan for 10 years or more, and tax and social insurance records are checked further back. The Nationality Act hasn't changed.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/business-manager-2025/https://juncho.app/changes/business-manager-2025/In force. New applications from 16 Oct 2025. Existing holders renewing after 16 Oct 2028 must meet the new standards. Since 16 October 2025, new Business Manager (経営・管理) permits need ¥30 million in capital, at least one full-time employee, Japanese at B2 level from the applicant or an employee, and management experience or a relevant degree. An expert must also check the business plan.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://juncho.app/changes/arrears-and-renewals/https://juncho.app/changes/arrears-and-renewals/Planned. Data sharing is due from March 2027 onward, and health insurance data from June 2027. These are government targets. We haven't found a published rule on how unpaid amounts will be treated. The government plans to give ISA electronic access to foreign residents' health insurance and pension payment records. Health insurance data is due from June 2027, on every status of residence. What happens if you've missed payments hasn't been published.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT