Permanent Residency After Divorce in Japan｜Risks and Reapplication Tips

What Does Permanent Residency After Divorce Mean?

To obtain permanent residency (PR) in Japan, three main conditions must be met:

• Good conduct
• Stable income and ability to support oneself
• Living in Japan is considered beneficial to society

It is not uncommon for people to be preparing for PR during marriage but end up getting divorced before applying.

After divorce, you no longer qualify as a “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National.” The immigration office will instead evaluate your income, tax payments, social insurance enrollment, and housing stability.

---

Common Reasons for PR Denial After Divorce

Applying for PR immediately after divorce often carries a high risk of denial. Typical reasons include:

Reason for Denial	Examples
Insufficient income	Only part-time or short-term contracts, unstable income
Unpaid taxes or pension	Delinquency in resident tax, income tax, or national pension
Application too soon after divorce	Lack of proof of a stable lifestyle
Short marriage period	Less than three years of marriage, weak record of stability
Unstable housing	Frequent moves, only short-term lease contracts

👉 The key question is: “Is your current life really stable in Japan?”

---

When PR May Still Be Approved After Divorce

Divorce does not automatically mean PR is impossible. Cases where PR can still be approved include:

• Stable income from full-time or professional employment
• Continuous enrollment in social insurance and pension systems
• Raising a child in Japan
• More than 5 years of stable work history
• Over 10 years of residence in Japan with established roots

---

Typical Status Changes After Divorce

In most cases, you cannot apply for PR immediately after divorce. Many applicants first change to another status:

• Spouse visa → Work visa (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)
• Spouse visa → Long-Term Resident visa (especially if raising a Japanese child)
• Spouse visa → Designated Activities visa (for temporary situations such as custody disputes or child support)

👉 A smooth transition to a new visa status will positively influence a later PR application.

---

Possibility of Changing to a Long-Term Resident Visa

For those who were living in Japan as a Japanese spouse, divorce often makes an immediate PR application difficult.
One alternative is applying for a Long-Term Resident visa, which may be granted under special circumstances.

This visa is flexible and often considered in the following cases:

• Raising a Japanese child
  If your child has Japanese nationality and lives with you in Japan, this is a strong basis. Even without custody, continued financial support may count.
• Long residence history
  A long marriage and established life in Japan may justify Long-Term Resident status on humanitarian grounds.
• Unavoidable reasons for divorce
  Cases such as domestic violence or the death of the Japanese spouse are also considered.

⚠️ Divorce does not guarantee Long-Term Resident status. If you have no children, little residence history, or an unstable lifestyle, approval may be denied. In that case, switching to a work visa or other status should be considered.

---

Applying for PR When You Have Children

When children are involved, immigration will consider the best interests of the child.

• Raising a Japanese child → More likely to receive Long-Term Resident or PR approval
• Raising a foreign national child → The need for the family to live together in Japan is emphasized
• Child support and financial responsibility → Continued payment is evaluated carefully

👉 Osaka Immigration Bureau is especially strict on ensuring the child’s stable environment.

---

Reapplication Timing and Strategy

If PR is denied right after divorce, it is possible to try again later with stronger evidence.

• Timing: Usually 1–2 years after denial, once stability is demonstrated
• Documents to prepare:
  • Withholding tax slips and tax returns (several years)
  • Resident tax certificates and tax payment certificates
  • Social insurance and pension enrollment proof
  • Lease contracts or housing loan documents, bank statements
• Explanatory letter: Clearly describe the divorce circumstances and your future life plan in Japan

---

Osaka Immigration Bureau’s Approach

In Osaka, PR applications after divorce tend to be reviewed with particular attention to:

• Strict checks on tax and social insurance records
• Employment history and stability of work transitions
• Strong emphasis on submitting an explanatory letter to show stability

👉 In practice, the quality of your documents and explanations can make a decisive difference.

---

Permanent Residency or Naturalization?

Some people consider naturalization (acquiring Japanese nationality) after divorce.

Item	Permanent Residency	Naturalization
Nationality	Remain a foreign national	Become a Japanese citizen
Conditions	Stable income, tax, lifestyle	PR conditions + Japanese ability, motive statement, etc.
Benefits	No expiration of residence status	Full citizenship rights, voting rights
Caution	Keep original nationality	May lose original nationality

👉 Many applicants aim for PR first, then consider naturalization later.

---

Benefits of Consulting an Administrative Scrivener

PR applications after divorce are among the most denial-prone cases. Many fail due to missing documents or insufficient explanation.

An administrative scrivener can:

• Identify risk factors before applying
• Check documents for consistency and completeness
• Help draft explanatory letters and supplemental evidence
• Provide advice based on the specific practices of Osaka Immigration and other bureaus

---

Conclusion｜Take Time to Build Stability

After divorce, the focus of PR review shifts from the stability of your marriage to the stability of your own life in Japan.
By steadily securing income, paying taxes, maintaining insurance, and fulfilling parental responsibilities, the chance of success increases.

👉 The key is not to rush. Building at least 1–2 years of stable living before reapplying gives you the best chance of approval.

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.

Related Articles