In January 2026, Japan’s immigration policy is undergoing significant changes. The new basic policy is being coordinated to tighten requirements for residence status.
Stricter Requirements for Permanent Residency and Naturalization Link to heading
Japanese language proficiency requirements are expected to be newly established for obtaining permanent residency. Additionally, there are plans to extend the residency requirement for naturalization from the current 5 years or more to 10 years or more.
Strengthened Residency Management Link to heading
A system will be introduced where unpaid medical fees and tax information will be reported to the Immigration Services Agency, and residency renewals will not be approved. Real estate regulations will also be strengthened.
New “Specified Skilled Worker Development” Program Link to heading
Meanwhile, a new system to secure labor is also beginning. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the “Specified Skilled Worker Development” program will replace the Technical Intern Training Program, expecting to accept approximately 1.23 million workers combined with the Specified Skilled Worker category.
Under this new system, workers can transition to Specified Skilled Worker status after working for three years in principle, and job changes, which were not previously allowed, will become possible.