The 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control Act adds grounds on which permanent residence can be revoked, taking effect on 1 April 2027. The most important point: it applies to people who already hold permanent residence, not only to new applicants. The main grounds are wilfully failing to pay taxes and public charges (health insurance, pension), breaching obligations under the Immigration Control Act, or being sentenced to a certain level of punishment.
In force
1 April 2027
Applies to
Existing PR holders too
Basis
2024 immigration law amendment
Who should pay attention
- •Permanent residents who have been late with, or skipped, residence tax, National Health Insurance or National Pension.
- •Anyone about to apply for permanent residence — the payment record is scrutinised more closely than before.
- •Self-employed and freelance residents, since these charges are not deducted automatically by an employer.
What to do
- ✓Check whether you have any outstanding tax, insurance or pension, including from earlier years.
- ✓If you do, contact your city office and agree an instalment plan — what matters is showing intent to pay rather than letting reminders pile up.
- ✓A single late payment that you then settle does not trigger revocation. The risk is in ignoring reminders over time.
- ✓Keep your receipts and payment certificates — they are what you show when asked.
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Build CV freeFrequently asked questions
I already have permanent residence — does this apply to me?
Yes. The revocation rules apply to people who were granted permanent residence in the past, not only to new applicants.
Could forgetting one insurance payment cost me my permanent residence?
A one-off late payment that you then settle does not lead to revocation. Risk rises when reminders are ignored over time and there appears to be no intent to pay.
When does this start?
On 1 April 2027, under the immigration law amendment enacted in 2024.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) · moj.go.jp/isa/05_00045.html