Final guideline published 1 Oct 2026 · applies from 1 Apr 2027
The April 2027 rules for permanent residence
ISA revised its guideline on 1 October 2026. For applications filed from 1 April 2027 it adds factors on household income, pension outlook, Japanese ability, time abroad and school attendance, and lengthens the periods for spouses.
What changes for applications filed from 1 April 2027
- Household income compared with the average income of Japanese households of the same size, continuously — also applied to applications filed from 1 April 2026 that were still pending on 1 October 2026.
- Pension outlook: your projected pension compared with what 30 years of employee pension (厚生年金) at the average income would pay; savings can make up a shortfall.
- Japanese ability at CEFR B1 level (exceptions: highly skilled professionals and their families, 6+ years of Japanese schooling, some children of permanent residents). The test method will be announced before April 2027.
- Understanding of Japanese rules, checked by a method ISA will designate (based on the Living and Working Guidebook).
- Time abroad: in the last 10 years, a single absence of 6 months or more, or 2 years 6 months in total, counts against you unless there was a reasonable cause.
- School-age children must attend elementary or junior high school.
- Spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents: 5 years of marriage and 3 years in Japan (now 3 and 1). Children: 3 years in Japan (now 1).
- A 3-year period of stay counts as the longest only for the first application filed from 1 April 2027 by someone holding it on 31 March 2027, decided before it expires.
- Taxes and social insurance are checked per household, and past arrears (such as a 滞納処分) count even if paid off.
Who is affected
Everyone who files on or after 1 April 2027, on every route. Applications filed by 31 March 2027 are assessed under the current guideline; only the household-income and public-burden factors also reach applications filed from 1 April 2026 that were still pending on 1 October 2026 (guideline 第６).
Start the free checkIncome and pension reference check
ISA has said it will not publish the income, pension or asset amounts it uses. Our calculator shows public statistics as a reference point, not ISA's threshold.
A reference point, not ISA's threshold. Uses the FY2026 pension formula and the 2025 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions.
Get notified
One email when ISA publishes how Japanese ability will be tested, and when anything in these rules changes.