【Turned Around on Reapplication!】Real Cases of Permanent Residency Visas First Denied, Then Approved

【Introduction】

Many people may think that if you meet the objective criteria—such as length of stay and stable income—your permanent residency application will be approved.

However, in reality, there are many cases where applications are denied even though the applicants seemed to meet the requirements.

On the other hand, there are also many cases where people who were denied on their first attempt were approved on their second try.
What made the difference? And what are the key points to ensure success when reapplying?

In this article, we’ll introduce actual patterns we’ve encountered in practice, where permanent residency was granted after initially being denied.
Whether you’re planning to apply for the first time or have already faced a denial, we hope this guide will be helpful to you.

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Chapter 1: Common Reasons Why Permanent Residency Applications Get Denied

The first step is understanding why applications are often rejected.
Since the official notice of denial does not include specific reasons, it’s crucial to be aware of common pitfalls in order to avoid repeating mistakes.

1-1. Inconsistencies in Submitted Documents

Examples:

• The amount shown on the withholding tax slip doesn’t match the local tax certificate
• Number of dependents differs between the residency certificate and the application form
• Discrepancies between documents submitted to Immigration and those from local government offices

▶ Even if these inconsistencies are unintentional, they may still lead to doubts about the credibility of the applicant, resulting in a denial.

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1-2. Poor Balance Between Income and Dependents

Even if the annual income meets the criteria, immigration may judge that “supporting so many dependents could be financially difficult.”

• As a general guideline:
  • For single applicants: income of at least ¥3,000,000
  • For those with many dependents: ¥4,000,000–¥5,000,000 or more is preferred

▶ Not only the amount of income but also its balance with family size is an important evaluation point.

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1-3. Issues with Social Insurance or Tax Payment

• Periods without enrollment in National Health Insurance
• Enrolled in social insurance, but not through payroll deduction (i.e., not special collection)
• Tax certificates that indicate unpaid taxes or past enforcement actions

▶ Immigration places great emphasis on whether the applicant is fulfilling their public obligations.

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1-4. Concerns About Work History or Visa Renewals

• Recently changed jobs (e.g., still on probation)
• Visa period shortened to 1 year during renewal → may signal instability
• Frequent changes in job responsibilities under a work visa

▶ When “residency stability” is hard to assess, there’s a higher likelihood of rejection.

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1-5. Insufficient Supplementary Explanations

• Applicant has side income but no explanation provided
• Sending money to family overseas but no documents included to show this
• Concerns about Japanese language skills or community engagement that are not documented

▶ In such cases, a lack of supplementary documents or written explanations can be a decisive factor.

Chapter 2:[Case Study 1] Application Denied Due to Many Dependents Despite Sufficient Income → Approved with Supplementary Explanation

▶ Case Overview

• Applicant: Filipino national, 40s, working in manufacturing
• Current Visa: “Long-Term Resident” → applying for Permanent Residency
• Annual Income: Approx. ¥4,000,000
• Dependents: Wife and three children (all residing in Japan)
• Other Details: Stable employment for 7 years, enrolled in social insurance

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▶ First Application: Denied

Although the applicant met the formal criteria, they only received a denial notice without any specific explanation.

Upon contacting the Immigration Bureau, an officer commented:

“We made a comprehensive judgment regarding the applicant’s financial ability to support their family, and it was not sufficient for approval.”

In essence, immigration authorities likely viewed the applicant’s income as insufficient to support a large family.

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▶ Strategy for Reapplication

• Submitted a detailed breakdown of household expenses (food, rent, tuition, insurance, savings, etc.)
• Explained any remittances or temporary income in writing
• Provided three years of income documentation to show consistent financial status

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▶ Outcome

→ About four months after reapplying, the applicant was granted permanent residency.
This is a textbook example of how a single supplementary explanation can shift the evaluation, even if the core documents remain unchanged.

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Chapter 3:[Case Study 2] Inconsistent Tax Documents → Resolved by Correcting and Supplementing Files

▶ Case Overview

• Applicant: Chinese national, 30s, IT engineer
• Annual Income: Approx. ¥5,500,000
• Employment Type: Full-time employee (3rd year)
• Current Visa: “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” → applying for Permanent Residency

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▶ First Application: Denied

The amount listed on the withholding tax slip did not match the amount on the municipal tax certificate.

Although the applicant explained that their company had revised year-end tax adjustments twice, no documents were submitted to support this explanation.

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▶ Immigration’s Comment:

“If there are discrepancies between documents, it may prevent the application from being properly assessed.”

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▶ Strategy for Reapplication

• Submitted the reissued and corrected withholding tax slip for the appropriate year
• Attached a written explanation from the company detailing the reasons for the corrections
• Supplemented the file with six months of payslips to support the consistency of income

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▶ Outcome

→ Approved without issues after reapplying.
This was a typical case where a single mismatch in documents led to rejection, but coordination with the employer enabled smooth approval the second time.

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Chapter 4:[Case Study 3] Gap in Social Insurance Enrollment → Approved After Timeline Explanation

▶ Case Overview

• Applicant: Vietnamese national, late 20s, working in the food service industry
• Years of Employment: 5 years (on a work visa)
• Annual Income: ¥3,300,000
• Insurance History: Was enrolled in National Health Insurance for six months due to an employer’s error

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▶ First Application: Denied

Although the applicant was employed at the time, there had been a six-month period when they were enrolled in National Health Insurance due to a mistake in company procedures.

Unofficial comment from Immigration:

“If there are gaps in social insurance enrollment, it may raise concerns about residency stability.”

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▶ Strategy for Reapplication

• Submitted a timeline explanation detailing the switch from National Health Insurance to Social Insurance
• Obtained a letter from the employer acknowledging the administrative error
• Attached current insurance and pension records

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▶ Outcome

→ Approved after reapplying.
In this case, clearly explaining the background of the insurance gap was the key to turning the result around.

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Chapter 5:[Case Study 4] Denied After Job Change Due to Perceived Instability → Reversed with Continued Employment and Employer Letter

▶ Case Overview

• Applicant: Nepalese national, 30s, chef (food service)
• Current Visa: “Skilled Labor” → applying for Permanent Residency
• Annual Income: Around ¥3,800,000 (stable before and after job change)
• Work History: Worked 6 years at former job → changed jobs and applied for permanent residency four months into new position

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▶ First Application: Denied

The applicant assumed that changing employers wouldn’t be an issue since the type of work and salary remained the same. However, Immigration judged the job change as a concern for continuity and stability.

Unofficial comment from Immigration:

“When someone changes jobs recently, we tend to assess the stability of their residency more cautiously.”

From a practical standpoint, applying within 3–6 months of a job change carries higher risk.

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▶ Strategy for Reapplication

• Waited until over six months of continuous employment with the current employer before reapplying
• Submitted a recommendation letter from the employer stating positive work attitude and intention for long-term employment
• Provided a written explanation that clarified the job change was a career progression within the same industry and profession

📝 This recommendation letter was not just a confirmation of employment, but a statement affirming future job stability and the employer’s trust.

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▶ Outcome

→ Approved five months after reapplying.
Although the job change itself wasn’t the issue, providing clear proof of stable employment and personal integration helped shift the evaluation in the applicant’s favor.

Chapter 6:Three Key Points for a Successful Reapplication

Based on the real-world examples we’ve discussed so far, here are three critical points to keep in mind when reapplying for permanent residency.

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① Ensure Complete Consistency and Supplementation of All Documents

Reapplying with the same documents as before defeats the purpose of a second attempt.

It’s essential to carefully check for any inconsistencies or missing information, and strengthen your application with third-party certifications or additional materials.

💡 Examples:

• Submit recent payslips
• Include a written explanation from your employer
• Provide bankbook copies to verify income deposits

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② Always Include a “Supplementary Explanation” or “Letter of Reason”

The Immigration Bureau tries to assess your situation based solely on documents.

Therefore, any background details that are not clear from the paperwork—such as reasons for high number of dependents or changing jobs—must be explained in writing.

💡 Tips:

• Your statement should be one to two pages of A4 size
• Don’t use a standard template—your explanation should anticipate and address the examiner’s potential doubts

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③ Reconsider the Timing of Your Application Based on the Previous Result

Avoid applying immediately after major changes like job transitions, increased dependents, or unstable income periods.

Choosing a moment when your circumstances appear stable can significantly boost your chances of success.

💡 It is vital to clearly identify the reason for your previous denial and show “what has changed since then” to make your application more persuasive.

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【Conclusion】A Denial Is Not the End—There’s Still a Path Forward

Permanent residency applications are often seen as “make-or-break” one-time efforts.
But in reality, many applicants succeed after reapplying.

While the reasons for rejection are rarely explicitly stated, understanding the examiner’s perspective—and addressing it through supplementary materials and improvements—can open the path to approval.

The key is to analyze what went wrong, figure out how to communicate your improvements, and submit your application at the right time with the right documentation.

If you’re considering reapplying or worried about a previous result, feel free to reach out.
At Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office, we offer full support—from free pre-application assessments to the preparation of reapplication documents—minimizing your risk of rejection.

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Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

“I want to obtain permanent residency quickly and securely.” “I’m worried about preparing all the documents.”
If this sounds like you, please feel free to contact our office in Osaka (Yodogawa-ku). We support clients from all over Japan, providing the most effective assistance based on our extensive experience with immigration procedures.

If you want to secure your permanent residency smoothly and confidently, contact our office today.

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