PR income requirements

Hi, I’ve been thinking about applying for PR some day. I’ve been married for 3 years and have a toddler boy. Currently I’m the only one working and my wife is staying home with the kid, though she’s said that once he’s old enough to go to kindergarten she wants to start working again.

I’ve read a few posts where it’s mentioned that 3 mill yen a year is the minimum for an individual to apply for PR and more than that if there are dependents involved in the equation. Right now I’m making about 3.3 mill a year before taxes which, living in a small town outside Osaka, has been more than enough for us to live comfortably and save up quite a bit over the years.

I was wondering if that 3 mill a year minimum is something that varies according to the city you live in. It’s obviously not the same earning 3mill a year in a city like Tokyo or downtown Osaka, where rent is much more expensive than, say, a smaller town or the countryside.

edit: thanks for all the replies! I might give it a try next year before my spouse visa expires the following one 😀

7 comments
  1. I know a person who had less than 3 mill yen income for sure , but he managed to get a PR, he applied by himself without even having a lawyer. He was living in Japan for 10 years and had Japanese university degree (not a famous uni btw) plus he is not even married.
    I think is important that you are a “good citizen” and pay all of your taxes first of all, then maybe they will close an eyes on the income part..?
    Personally I think the immigration is kind of random. I always get 1 year visa while being a seishain , but now that I’m not they gave me 3 years.
    So yeah , I would just suggest to try it out even if you don’t have a great income

  2. If you have ample savings, you can choose to provide evidence of that as part of the application, and it will be taken into consideration.

    And in general, the 3mil a year is not a hard and fast rule. If you are living comfortably within your means, your level of income should not be an issue. I remember reading some case stories on a legal firm’s website regarding applicants with low incomes who had successfully received PR. Other examples mentioned couples who, for example, own the property they are living in, or who are living with family and thus have no monthly rent expense. Their income thus stretched much further and they were able to live comfortably even though it didn’t look like much at first glance.

  3. I would say, make sure you are making your pension payments, be organized, look decent, and go for it.

    Good luck man.

  4. My visa scrivener just informed me that there is no income requirement for transitioning from a spouse visa to PR. Surprised me, because I’ve always heard about the 3 mil yen requirement, but I guess he should know. Going to get started later this year

  5. Generally, you need to be able to show that you have an annual income that is enough to be able to support yourself without needing outside financial assistance. You also need to make sure that all of your taxes and health insurance payments are made on time. It also helps if you have a decent amount of savings in the bank, maybe at least 1 million yen.

    On the advice of my immigration lawyer, when I applied for PR, my husband submitted a document saying the he would take financial responsibility for me if I became unable to support myself, along with financial records showing that he had the ability to do that.

  6. I just got denied PR from Spouse. No reason given.

    Married 5 years, living officially in Japan 3years first with 1yr, then 3 yr residents card. Going to school the first 2 years, working the last year making 2.3mil. No late tax payments, was even paying the Nenkin even though I could’ve been exempt while being a student

  7. https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930003492.pdf

    > (1) The person is of good conduct.
    The person observes Japanese laws and his/her daily living as a resident does not invite any social criticism.

    > (2) The person has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living.
    The person does not financially depend on someone in the society in his daily life, and his/her assets or ability, etc. are assumed to continue to provide him/her with a stable base of livelihood into the future.

    > The requirements (1) and (2) above do not apply to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents

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