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“Once you become a Permanent Resident, you no longer need to worry about your Status of Residence” — many people have thought this way. However, due to the amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Immigration Control Act) in Reiwa 6 (2024), starting from April 1, Reiwa 9 (2027), a system will be introduced where Permanent Residents may have their Status of Residence revoked under certain circumstances (Optimization of the Permanent Residence Permit System). In this article, an Administrative Scrivener will clearly explain the three new grounds for revocation, the meaning of “intentionally failing to pay taxes and social insurance premiums,” the effects of revocation, and how to prepare before the enforcement, based on primary information from the Immigration Services Agency (isa.moj.go.jp). In conclusion, there is no need to feel overly anxious. The key is simply to “properly fulfill public obligations within the deadline.”
A “Permanent Resident” holds a highly stable Status of Residence, requiring no extension of their Period of Stay and having no restrictions on employment. Previously, “revocation” of Status of Residence (Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act) was primarily limited to cases where permission was obtained through fraudulent means or where the individual had not resided at their reported address for a long period without a legitimate reason.
The Reiwa 6 (2024) amendment adds new categories specifically targeting Permanent Residents to these grounds for revocation. The Immigration Services Agency explains this as the “Optimization of the Permanent Residence Permit System,” the purpose of which is to distinguish between the majority of Permanent Residents who properly fulfill their public obligations and a small number of cases that do not, thereby maintaining trust in the system. In other words, this amendment will not destabilize the permanent residence of those who diligently pay taxes and make notifications.
📌 Positioning of this article: This article focuses on “how to maintain permanent residence after acquiring it (the revocation system).” If you wish to know how to obtain Permission for Permanent Residence (requirements and necessary documents), please refer to the separate article “Requirements and Documents for Permission for Permanent Residence.”
The Optimization of the Permanent Residence Permit System is included in Act No. 60 of Reiwa 6 (2024) (Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control Act, etc., which includes the establishment of the Employment for Skill Development (ESD; Japanese: Ikusei Shuro) Program). This Act was promulgated on June 21, Reiwa 6 (2024), and the provisions regarding permanent residence revocation, with the exception of some provisions, are stipulated by cabinet order to be enforced from April 1, Reiwa 9 (2027). This enforcement date is the same as the start date for the operation of the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program.
📅 Key Dates to Remember
Although the enforcement is still some time away, the “proper fulfillment of public obligations,” as described later, requires daily accumulation. Rather than panicking when the enforcement date arrives, establishing this as a habit now will lead to peace of mind.
According to the Immigration Services Agency‘s “Q&A on the Optimization of the Permanent Residence Permit System,” the following three new categories have been organized as grounds for revocation of Status of Residence for Permanent Residents. In all cases, revocation will not occur immediately due to a simple mistake or a single oversight; rather, malicious or intentional cases are envisioned.
| New Grounds for Revocation | What kind of case is it? |
|---|---|
| 📮 Non-compliance with obligations under the Immigration Control Act | Cases where obligations under the Immigration Control Act (such as notification of residence and other various notification obligations), which are secured by penalties, are not complied with. |
| 🧾 Intentional non-payment of public dues | Cases where taxes and social insurance premiums (public dues) are intentionally not paid without a legitimate reason. |
| ⚖️ Violation of certain criminal laws | Cases where a person is sentenced for certain serious crimes (intentional offenses). |
What is important here is that these are grounds that are “usually irrelevant if obligations are properly fulfilled.” Especially for ② “intentional non-payment of public dues,” as we will see in the next chapter, it is premised on malicious intent, where one deliberately fails to pay despite having the will and ability to do so.
The interpretation of (ii) “intentionally failing to pay public dues” is likely of the highest interest. The Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A explains this as follows:
“Intentionally failing to pay public dues” refers to deliberately not making payments despite being aware of the payment obligation. This is assumed to apply in cases where one knows there are public dues to be paid and fails to pay despite having the ability to do so.
Conversely, the Q&A also clearly indicates cases where revocation is not intended. It states that the revocation of Status of Residence is not intended in cases where due to illness or unemployment, the individual cannot reasonably be held responsible and is unavoidably unable to pay public dues. In other words, this system is not designed to target individuals who have legitimate reasons for being unable to pay.
💡 Concept of “Intentional” vs. “Unavoidable Circumstances” (Image)
⚠️ Potentially Problematic Example
Having the ability to pay, but intentionally failing to pay taxes/premiums while ignoring reminders.
✅ Example Not Intended for Revocation
Income ceases due to illness or unemployment, making temporary payment unavoidable (subsequently addressed through consultation, installment payments, etc.).
If payment becomes difficult due to a decrease in income or other reasons, it is crucial not to neglect it, but to consult promptly with the municipal office or pension office and take procedures for reduction/exemption or installment payments. The attitude of “explaining the circumstances and following procedures” rather than “fleeing because you cannot pay” will ultimately protect the stability of your Status of Residence.
Upon hearing “revocation,” you might feel strong anxiety, as if you must immediately leave Japan. However, the Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A indicates that the revocation of Permission for Permanent Residence does not immediately require departure (return to home country).
Specifically, even when revoking the Status of Residence of a Permanent Resident, it is envisioned that the Status of Residence will be changed ex officio to another Status of Residence, such as “Long-Term Resident,” taking into account the individual’s living situation. This means that instead of immediately losing all basis for residence, the operation is intended to switch to a Status of Residence with a defined Period of Stay.
🔎 Revocation of Permanent Residence does not mean immediate return to home country. Ex officio change to “Long-Term Resident” or similar is envisioned, based on the actual living situation. However, since it reverts to a Status of Residence requiring renewal procedures, the previous stability will be lost.
Nevertheless, if one’s Status of Residence changes from Permanent Resident to Long-Term Resident or similar, renewal of the Period of Stay will be required again, and the degree of freedom in employment and life planning may change. To avoid losing the stability of “Permanent Residence” that has been built up, it is important to continue fulfilling public obligations appropriately. Furthermore, in the event of revocation, the individual is usually given an opportunity to state their opinion (such as a hearing) during the procedure, and the disposition is not finalized unilaterally or suddenly.
👤 Here are key points that Permanent Residents and those aiming for Permanent Residence should be aware of starting today, in preparation for the enforcement in Reiwa 9 (2027). It’s not difficult. The motto is “On time, properly.”
☑ Self-Check to Protect Your Permanent Residence
🏢 This system is not irrelevant for companies employing Permanent Residents. Creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind directly leads to retention and workforce development.
From an era where “Permanent Residents no longer need procedures, so they are safe” to an era where “it is important for Permanent Residents to properly fulfill their public obligations.” Correctly understanding this with employees also serves as corporate risk management.
The developments concerning Permanent Residence in 2026 are not limited to this revocation system. We will also introduce two other important topics along with related articles.
It is necessary to understand the distinction between the “maximum fee (upper limit stipulated by law)” and the “actual fee (amount stipulated by cabinet order).” It is also important to confirm whether the amounts seen in news reports, etc., are finalized or still in the proposal stage.
With the Immigration Law Amendment in 2024, effective April 1, 2027, certain cases, such as intentional non-payment of public dues (taxes and social insurance premiums), will be added as grounds for revocation of Status of Residence for Permanent Residents as well. However, if you properly make payments and notifications on a daily basis, there will usually be no issue. This system is not intended to destabilize the Permanent Residence of those who diligently fulfill their obligations.
This system is not designed for immediate revocation due to a single accidental delay. It is intended for malicious cases where individuals “intentionally” fail to pay despite having the obligation and ability to do so. Nevertheless, it is recommended to avoid repeated delays and make timely payments a habit.
The Immigration Services Agency’s Q&A states that revocation is not envisioned for cases where payment cannot be made unavoidably due to illness or unemployment, where culpability cannot be attributed to the individual. The important thing is not to neglect the situation. Consult with your municipal office or pension office early, take procedures such as reduction/exemption or installment payments, and keep records of these actions.
It does not immediately require repatriation; rather, a change to another Status of Residence, such as Long-Term Resident, is envisioned based on the actual circumstances of life. However, if you switch from Permanent Resident to another Status of Residence, you will again need to apply for Extension of Period of Stay, and the stability you once had will be lost.
The provisions regarding Permanent Resident revocation will come into effect on April 1, 2027. The basis is Act No. 60 of 2024 (Immigration Control Act and other amendments, including the establishment of the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program), which was promulgated on June 21, 2024.
Yes. Our office, based in Miyazaki City, accepts consultations regarding Status of Residence. We provide support for checking past payment statuses, confirming that there are no missing notifications, and preparing for the future. Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
From April 1, 2027, the “optimization of the Permanent Residence permit system” will commence, under which Permanent Residents may have their Status of Residence revoked in certain cases. The newly established grounds for revocation are categorized into three types: violation of notification obligations, intentional non-payment of public dues (taxes and social insurance premiums), and violation of certain penal laws, all of which are intended for malicious cases. The effect of revocation is also envisioned not as immediate repatriation, but as an ex officio change to a “Long-Term Resident” or similar Status of Residence. If you regularly pay your taxes and social insurance premiums properly and on time, and duly submit notifications such as changes of address, there is usually no need to worry. If payment becomes difficult, consulting early instead of neglecting it will protect your stability. If you have concerns about your own case, please consult with an expert as soon as possible, before the enforcement.
Our office provides consultations to both foreign nationals and accepting companies, based on the latest system trends.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Details of the system, implementation timing, and operational specifics may change in the future. For actual procedures, please confirm with the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
