Difference between naturalization application and permanent residence application

Naturalization application and permanent residence application

I think both naturalization and permanent residence applications are interesting for people who want to live in Japan for a long time.
Many of you may be wondering which one to choose.
Some people choose it based on the ease with which they can apply for a permit, but these two have completely different characteristics.
Additionally, in recent years, we have seen many cases where people do not think deeply about the importance of naturalization.
Be sure to understand the characteristics of both and carefully choose which one to apply to avoid regrets.

Characteristics of naturalization and permanent residence

▼ Naturalization

If you apply for naturalization, you will obtain Japanese nationality (Japanese passport) and will be able to live in Japan as a Japanese citizen..
Therefore, there are no restrictions on working and you can obtain rights unique to Japanese people.
However, in JapanDual nationality is not recognizedTherefore, you will lose your nationality from your home country.
You may need to apply for a visa or status of residence when you return to your home country.

Japan has the highest number of countries in the world that you can visit without a visa at 191 (as of September 2021).
If your home country allows you to travel without a visa, you can return home as long as you have a Japanese passport, but there are some countries where you cannot travel without a visa.These are the following countries.

Russia, North Korea, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Brunge, Cameroon, Chad, Central Africa, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equator Guinea, Eritria, Gambia, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Cuba, Naul, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Libya

In order to travel to the countries listed above, it is necessary to obtain a visa for that country before traveling (as of September 2021).

▼ Permanent residence

On the other hand, in the case of permanent residence, even if your application for permanent residence is approved and you become a permanent resident,nationality of home countryYou can stay in Japan for an unlimited period.
Of course, when you return to your home country, you can return without a visa because you still have the nationality of your home country.
However, you cannot obtain rights that are only available to Japanese people (such as the right to vote).

Naturalization and permanent residence requirements

Naturalization and permanent residence areThe requirements required when applying are also different..

▼Address requirements

【Naturalization】

For the naturalization requirements of most foreigners with a status of residence, they must have lived in Japan for at least 5 years and have worked for at least XNUMX years.

【permanent】

Most foreigners with a status of residence must have lived in Japan for XNUMX years or more and have stayed in Japan for XNUMX years or more with a work or residence status, and have a period of stay of XNUMX years or more. matter.

In addition, address conditions may be relaxed depending on your residence status and status.
The relaxation of each address condition is as follows.

【Naturalization】

In the case of a foreign spouse married to a Japanese person, the standard 5 years or more is slightly relaxed, and the requirement is to have lived in Japan for 3 years or more, or to have lived in Japan for XNUMX year or more after XNUMX years have passed since marriage. You can apply at.
In addition, children of Japanese nationals who have an address in Japan and those who have lost Japanese nationality and who require an address in Japan were underage at the time of adopting a Japanese national, regardless of the number of years of residence. A person can apply for naturalization if he / she has an address in Japan for one year or more.

【permanent】

Long-term residents and those who have been recognized as refugees can apply if they have continued to live in Japan for five years or more.
In addition, if you are a spouse of a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident, you can apply if you have been legally married for at least three years and have continued to reside in Japan for at least one year.
A real marriage basically requires living together.

▼ Conduct requirements

【Naturalization】

Even if you have not paid your pension and residence tax, there is a good chance that you will be granted permission by clearing the non-payment by the time you apply.
In addition, violation history and criminal record including traffic accidents and traffic violations may be disapproved depending on the content.

【permanent】

Recently, the payment status of social insurance, etc. has been rigorously examined.
You will be checked to see if you are paying by the payment deadline, and if you miss your health insurance payment deadline even once, you may not be approved at that point.

▼ Livelihood requirements

【Naturalization】

Livelihood requirements for naturalization applications are determined on a family-by-family basis.
Therefore, the applicant is not necessarily required to have financial resources.
Even if you are dependent, it will be judged whether the applicant can live a stable life.
In addition, whether or not the applicant can live a stable life depends on the area in which the applicant lives (because the cost of living differs between urban and rural areas).
Even if the amount is at least, there is a good chance that you will be approved as long as you have enough income to live stably.

【permanent】

Unlike naturalization applications, permanent residence applications are subject to strict examination of livelihood requirements.
Specifically, the applicant must have an annual income of 5 million yen or more for each of the past five years.
In recent years, this amount has become more important, so if it is less than 300 million yen, you may want to be prepared to be refused permission.

After naturalization and permanent residence permit

【Naturalization】

Naturalization results are generally available within one year from the application, but in rare cases it may take more than two years.
Naturalization is basically irrevocable once it is allowed.
Although it is legally possible to cancel, it will not be canceled unless there is a need to outweigh the disadvantages caused by the cancellation, and as of 2021, there have been no cases of cancellation.
Therefore, once you are granted naturalization, you will not lose your Japanese nationality unless you re-naturalize in another country.

【permanent】

Permanent residence has a considerable variation in the examination period until the results are obtained.
Results may be seen in about three months, or it may take up to a year.
On average, results are often seen in about 7 months.

Summary

As you can see from reading this far, the hurdles for applying for naturalization are lower, so there are many people who do not meet the requirements for permanent residence but can apply for naturalization.
However, as I have said many times, applying for naturalization means becoming a foreigner.
You will have to go through formalities every time you return to your home country, and it will be difficult if you have to change your nationality back.
Of course, by naturalizing, you will be able to obtain a Japanese passport and gain rights (such as the right to vote) that are only granted to Japanese people, so if you want to live in Japan for the rest of your life, you should apply for naturalization. would be better.
Carefully consider whether naturalization or permanent residence is more suitable for you.

No matter which application you choose, both have many benefits if you plan to live in Japan for a long time.
Climb Immigration Lawyer Office TheForeigners aiming for permanent residenceWe are rooting for you.Please feel free to contact us.

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