I just got my PR and feeling so happy 🙂 There is a lot of information about Japan PR floating around so would like to share my experience and tips.
I lived in JP for 4 years I applied in February 2023 through the program for highly skilled professionals. Got reply only in December (10 months waiting!) requesting additional document (proof of past work experience) which i provided. After about 3 weeks got a postcard requesting me to come to Immigration and pay a 8k revenue stamp (this basically means a PR is granted) and collected the doc at Immigration.
Some points to share:
1. “can i get a pr?” => there are different paths to PR as explaind on the [ISA website](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-4.html?hl=en) . For a salary men like me, who doesnt want to wait 10 years, you should check out the point system for Highly skilled professionals ([here](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/newimmiact_3_evaluate_index.html?hl=en) is the official website with info how to calculate your points). If you have enough points and a proper supporting evidence for each item, than yes, you basically should get your PR, simple as that. Generally, you get more points for:
• the more years of experience you have (relevant for current job)
• the higher your salary
• the younger your are
• the higher your education
• N2/N1 certification
• and some other things
Note about income calculation: i understand documents from tax office are required as proof rather than statement from the company about your contract. the amount may be quite different in case your company pays for your housing (such benefit is not taxable and will not count as income unfortunately) so be careful when doing the calculation.
2. Tips on documentation:
• make sure you write a statement of reasons (“理由書”) explaining why you are applying for it . This is one area where i needed help from a JP person to translate the letter.
• Also, it is kind of obvious, but make sure to prepare the documents with care and indicate very clearly what document is for which requirement, so that you limit any additional queries later.
3. “should i use a lawyer?” => imo, for most people it makes no sense at all. Even though i don’t speak fluent JP I decided not to use lawyer service. They charge about 100,000 JPY fee but i found gathering the documents and submission is something you can do yourself. I estimate i would have saved 2-3 days of effort if using a lawyer (assuming they collect documents from tax/municipal office for you, which i am not exactly sure if they do) . Of course if you are a busy high income earner and 2-3 days are worth more for you than 100,000 JPY than sure go use a lawyer.
4. “do i need to wait 3hr in lines at Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau ?” => not anymore, it seems. When i was applying in early 2023 the lines were huge and spent almost 3 hr to make application, but apparently they have now improve efficiency a lot. Collection of PR was quick and i saw much fewer people in lines.
For anyone working on application, good luck ! 😀
by SuitPractical