Can International Students Get PR in Japan in 2025?

Are you an international student in Japan? Do you want to know if international students get PR in Japan? You are on the right page! This blog covers everything you need to know about the Japan PR. You will learn about the steps you need to take to get a Japanese PR. The duration you need to stay in the country, the PR eligibility, requirements, and the application process. Keep reading to get your answers.

Can International Students Get PR in Japan? An Overview 

Yes. International students can get a PR in Japan. However, you need to stay in the country for 10 years! The good news is that the PR duration can be cut short. You can get a PR in 3 years! All you need to do is to meet the 70 points on the point scale system as a highly skilled professional. If you can score 80 points you can apply for a PR within a year. The PR application can be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency in Japan. 

How Can a Student Visa Lead to Permanent Residency in Japan?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. A student visa can lead to permanent residency in Japan. However, the process can be a bit lengthy compared to if you are coming solely for work. Follow the steps below to apply for a PR as an international student.

1. Complete your studies in Japan- You can travel to Japan on a student visa, and then apply for a residence permit for studies. This will allow you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies.
2. Switch to a residence permit for work– Japan offers several work visas. You can get a job offer in Japan, and ask your employer to apply for a relevant work permit on your behalf. Thereafter, you can apply for a valid work visa, and get a residence permit for work. You can stay for 1-5 years in Japan like this.
3. Become a highly skilled professional (optional)- Japan has laid out specific criteria for highly skilled professionals. This visa is valid for 5 years! 
4. Stay in Japan for 10 years or Meet the Point Requirement– You can either focus on staying in Japan for 10 years by renewing your residence permit for work or get 70 points on the point scale. Thereafter, you can apply for a PR.

Note– Highly skilled professionals can get a PR in 3 years, those meeting 80 points on the PR scale and apply for a PR in 1 year, and others can apply after 10 years of stay.

To calculate the Points for the Japanese PR download this PDF

Who is Eligible for PR in Japan?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. However, they must be eligible for it. The following categories of people are eligible for a Japanese PR.

1. You must have a work-related residence permit 
2. Otherwise, you must be spouse/child of a Japanese citizen/Permanent resident
3. Otherwise, you must be a long-term resident
4. Moreover, you must have met the minimum duration of stay required to apply for a Japanese PR 
5. Have relevant documents to apply for a Japanese PR.

Japan Permanent Residency Requirements 2025

Apart from the above eligibility criteria, there are additional requirements. The following are the requirements for Japan PR. Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. If they also meet these requirements.

Japan PR Requirements (additional)	Description
Intention	Intend to stay in Japan permanently
Guarantee by a person	Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident residing in Japan
Good conduct	Obey the rules and laws of Japan
Proof of funds	Have sufficient assets or skills to support your livelihood. You should not become a burden on the public.
Interest of Japan	Your permanent residence in the country must be as per the interest of the country. That is, stayed in Japan for 10 years. (1-3 years for exceptional categories)
Not a criminal record	You must not have a criminal record
Tax payment	Paid taxes to the government
Certificates obtained in Japan	At least 3 months before the date of application
Not a threat to public health	You must not be a threat to the public health

Note– these are just the general requirements. The exact requirements vary depending on the type of work visa you hold.

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Documents for Permanent Residence in Japan

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. You can. However, you must submit the following documents to get a PR in Japan. 

Documents Required for Japan PR	Description
Passport	You must have a valid passport
Photograph	4 cm long × 3 cm wide (taken in the last 3 months)
Residence Card	Valid work residence card
Application form	Completed application form for PR
Proof of funds	You need to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses
Tax payment proof	Proof that you have paid the required taxes, and bank statements
Proof of qualifications	Proof of work and educational qualifications

Note– The documents required are written in Japanese. Therefore, we have only provided the general documents here. This means you may have to submit additional documents.

Understand the cost of living in Japan

Where to Apply for a Japan PR?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. International students can apply for PR. The PR application must be submitted to a relevant authority. 

Permit	Where to Apply	Business Hours	Contact
Japan PR	Regional immigration office near your residence	Weekdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm	(0570-013904)

To learn how you can get PR in Japan, watch this video:

How Long Does It Take to Get PR in Japan?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. You can get a PR in Japan in 10 years. However, if you meet 70 points on the PR points system you can get PR after 3 years of stay. Those who have secured 80 points on the PR point scale system can get it in a year. After you have submitted your application the processing takes place.

Permit	Processing Time
Japan PR	4 months

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Permanent Resident in Japan?

You must pay the PR fees. The cost of issuing a Japan PR is as follows-

Permit	Fees
Japan PR	10,000 Yen (JPY). (approx)

Is it Easy to Get PR in Japan for International Students?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. International students can get a PR. The difficulty level for getting a PR in Japan is moderate. There are several reasons for this. Some of these reasons are-

1. Duration of stay– If you are a highly skilled professional you can apply for a PR after 1-3 years. On the other hand, if you are an ordinary person you will have to stay in Japan for 10 years by renewing your residence permit for work.
2. Duration of study is not counted– Japan does not count the time you spend studying in the country as a part of meeting the duration required for Japan PR.
3. No post-study permit – Japan does not provide a post-study permit. You need to transition your study permit directly to a residence permit for work.
4. Easy to meet requirements- It is easy to meet the requirements and score 70 points on the point scale system for PR.

What are the Benefits of Japanese PR?

Now you know how can international students get PR in Japan. Once you get a PR, you can access the following benefits-

1. There will no longer be any restrictions regarding the kind of activity you can engage in. This means you can work, study, and live in Japan without restrictions. 
2. The PR is valid for life. This means you do not have to renew your Japan PR unless you are leaving the country for more than a year.
3. It becomes easy for you to get loans from banks in Japan
4. Pathway to citizenship in Japan

Is Permanent Residence Status the Same as Getting Citizenship in Another Country?

Can I Lose My Permanent Residency Status in Japan?

Yes. You can lose your permanent residency status in Japan if you come under any of the following categories-

1. Committed a criminal offence 
2. You have stayed outside Japan for more than 3 years. In this case, you will have to apply for a re-entry permit.

Can International Students Get Citizenship in Japan?

Can international students get PR in Japan? Yes. International students can get PR. The PR becomes the pathway for citizenship in the country. You can get citizenship in Japan after you have stayed in the country for 5 years through naturalization. Some of the requirements fro Japanese citizenship are as follows-

1. You will no longer be an Indian citizen. You will have to revoke your original citizenship
2. You must have stayed in Japan for at least 5 years.
3. Must be above 20 years of age, and have good moral character
4. Must be financially stable 
5. Agree to hold only Japanese citizenship

Once you become a citizen you can get the right to vote, and the right to hold public office. This means you can even be elected as the PM of Japan. There will no longer be restrictions on the duration of time you can travel abroad.

FAQs

We hope you now have the answer to your question- Can international students get PR in Japan? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey! 

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