Maintaining Permanent Resident Status During a Long-Term Overseas Assignment#

For foreign nationals holding the status of “Permanent Resident” (Eijuusha) in Japan, an order for an overseas transfer from a company or a need to care for family abroad for several years presents a significant administrative challenge. While the term “Permanent Resident” implies an unconditional right to live in Japan indefinitely, this status is contingent upon adhering to specific immigration procedures. Failure to follow the correct protocols before leaving Japan can result in the automatic loss of Permanent Resident status.

This article provides an objective and detailed explanation of the necessary measures to maintain Permanent Resident status when leaving Japan for a period extending over several years.

The Most Critical Step: Obtaining a Re-entry Permit#

The single most important action for preserving Permanent Resident status is understanding and utilizing the “Re-entry Permit” system correctly. There are two distinct types of permits, and choosing the wrong one for a long-term assignment can be fatal to your visa status.

1. Special Re-entry Permit (Minashi Re-entry) - DO NOT USE FOR LONG TERM#

At the airport immigration counter, travelers can simply check a box on the Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card stating they intend to depart under the “Special Re-entry Permit” system. This requires no fee and is very convenient. However, this permit is valid only for one year from the date of departure. If you are assigned overseas for “several years,” you must not rely on this system. Even if you plan to visit Japan frequently, if an unexpected event (such as a pandemic or illness) prevents you from returning within that one-year window by even a single day, your Permanent Resident status will automatically lapse. There is generally no recourse for reinstating it in such cases.

2. Standard Re-entry Permit (Sai-nyukoku kyoka) - ESSENTIAL#

For an overseas assignment lasting more than one year, you must visit the Regional Immigration Services Bureau having jurisdiction over your residence before your departure to apply for a formal Re-entry Permit.

Validity: Valid for up to 5 years (or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first).
Fee: 3,000 yen for a single entry; 6,000 yen for multiple entries.
Procedure: A Re-entry Permit sticker will be affixed to your passport.

For a multi-year assignment, it is strongly advised to pay the 6,000 yen fee for a “Multiple” entry permit. This allows you to enter and leave Japan freely for up to 5 years while maintaining your Permanent Resident status. If your assignment extends beyond 5 years, you must return to Japan briefly before the permit expires to obtain a new one. While it is theoretically possible to extend the permit for one year at a Japanese embassy abroad, the criteria are strict, so returning to Japan to renew the permit is the safest course of action.

Managing the Residence Card Validity#

Although the “status” of Permanent Residence is indefinite, the actual plastic “Residence Card” has a validity period of 7 years. If your Residence Card expires while you are living abroad, you may face difficulties during immigration procedures upon your return or may be denied boarding by airlines.

Renewal Before Departure: If your card is due to expire during your overseas assignment, you can apply for a renewal before you leave. Normally, renewal is accepted only within 2 months of the expiration date. However, if you have a valid reason, such as a long-term overseas assignment, the Immigration Bureau accepts early renewal applications.
Renewal During Temporary Return: If you do not renew it before leaving, you must ensure you return to Japan temporarily to renew the card before the printed expiration date.

Administrative Procedures at the Municipal Office#

Apart from immigration rules, handling your residency registration and tax obligations properly is crucial. Negligence in these areas can negatively impact future applications or the security of your status.

Filing the “Moving Out” Notification (Tenshutsu-todoke)#

If you plan to be away from Japan for more than one year, you should generally submit a “Moving Out” notification to your local city hall. This removes you from the basic resident register.

Health Insurance & Pension: By moving out, you are no longer obligated to pay into the National Health Insurance or National Pension systems (though voluntary continuation of the pension is often possible).
Residence Tax (Inhabitant Tax): Residence tax is billed based on your income from the previous year and your residence as of January 1st. Even if you leave Japan, you likely still owe taxes for the time you were present. Before leaving, you must either pay the remaining tax in full or appoint a “Tax Manager” (Nozei-kanrinin)—usually a friend, relative, or tax accountant in Japan—to handle the bills and payments on your behalf.

Maintaining a clean tax record is vital. While unpaid taxes do not always lead to immediate revocation of PR status, recent legal discussions and amendments suggest stricter scrutiny of public obligations. To ensure your status remains secure, all tax matters should be settled transparently.

Risk of Revocation#

The most common reason for losing Permanent Residency during an overseas assignment is the unintentional expiration of the Re-entry Permit. If the 5-year limit passes while you are abroad, the status becomes void. Unless there are extreme humanitarian grounds (and these are rarely accepted), you cannot simply “reactivate” the status. You would likely have to apply for a new visa (such as a “Long Term Resident” visa or a work visa) and start your residency period from scratch to eventually qualify for Permanent Residency again.

Conclusion#

To successfully maintain Permanent Resident status during a multi-year overseas transfer, three key actions are required:

Apply for a “Multiple Re-entry Permit” (valid for 5 years) at the Immigration Bureau before departure. Do not use the airport’s 1-year special permit.
Check the expiration date of your Residence Card and renew it early if necessary.
Appoint a Tax Manager or settle all local taxes to ensure no public duties are neglected while you are away.

By strictly adhering to these protocols, Permanent Residents can fulfill their overseas assignments with peace of mind, ensuring their status is preserved for their eventual return to Japan.