In general, if foreigners working in Japan wish to obtain permanent residence status in Japan, they must live in Japan for a minimum of ten years. Although this period will be shortened if you are married to a Japanese person, foreigner with permanent residence status, etc.
There is a way to shorten this period by using the point calculation system, even if you are not married to a Japanese person or foreigner with permanent residence status.
Point calculation system is often used for foreigners who wish to obtain residence status of High Skilled Professional, however even if your residence status is not High Skilled Professional you may still use this system to apply for permanent residence status if you score more than 70 points. There are 2 patterns to apply for permanent residence status by using the system.
First you need to see how many points you can earn right now.
①If that total is more than 70 points but no more than 80 points, then we need to confirm that you had more than 70 points 36 months ago. If you score more than 70 points now and 36 months ago you are eligible to apply for PR. ( although there are so many other qualifications that you need to meet to obtain permanent residence status, so scoring more than 70 points is just the beginning )
②If your total points are more than 80 then we need to confirm you had more than 80 points 12 months ago. If you score more than 80 points now and 12 months ago, you are eligible to apply for PR.
Points are allocated according to applicant`s educational, employment back ground, annual income etc. The biggest section where you can earn more points is the salary section.
Regarding Annual salary sections, how you can earn points is a bit different between now and the past.
Here is the example, ( we assume you score more than 80 points ).
For now: You can earn points based on what you are going to be paid in the next 12 months, travel expenses, housing allowance are excluded. In order to prove how much you will be paid in the next 12 months you need to ask your HR to issue a Certificate of Employment with this information. Normally your bonus will be excluded but if HR is sure how much bonus they will pay in the next 12 months they can include this amount.
For 12 months ago: Points are given based on how much you have been paid in one year. In order to prove it we have to submit salary pay slips or GENSEN-CHOSYU-HYO （源泉徴収票）.Travel expenses, housing allowance are excluded, but your bonus is counted as your annual salary.
If you would like to see if you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residence by using point calculation system, please send me a message.
