Is a Medical Checkup or Declaration of Chronic Illness Required for Japanese Permanent Residence?#

When applying for Permanent Residence (PR) in Japan, many applicants feel anxious about whether their health condition will affect the examination process. Questions frequently arise regarding the necessity of submitting a health certificate or declaring chronic diseases. This concern is particularly acute for those who have pre-existing conditions or a history of serious illness.

Based on the current Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Justice, this article objectively explains the relevance of health conditions and the necessity of declaration in the context of the Permanent Residence examination.

Is Submission of a Health Certificate Mandatory?#

To state the conclusion first: In principle, the submission of a “Health Certificate” or “Medical Checkup Report” is not required for a Permanent Residence application in Japan. Furthermore, the standard application form does not contain any specific section asking for a detailed declaration of current health status or medical history.

This procedure aligns with applications for standard working visas (such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”) or spousal visas. Unlike certain visa categories in other countries or specific “Designated Activities” visas (such as those for medical stays) in Japan, the Japanese immigration review process for residents generally does not involve verifying physical health through medical certification.

Therefore, under normal application procedures, there is no need to visit a hospital to obtain a health checkup specifically for the PR application. Unless explicitly instructed by the Immigration Services Agency during the review process, submitting a health certificate voluntarily is not a requirement and typically does not directly influence the outcome.

Does Chronic Illness or Medical History Affect the Review?#

While a health certificate is not required, this does not mean that health status is entirely irrelevant to the examination. When examined against the requirements for Permanent Residence under the Immigration Control Act, one’s health condition can have an indirect impact.

The Requirement for Independent Livelihood#

One of the key criteria for Permanent Residence is possessing “assets or skills sufficient to earn an independent livelihood.” This requirement demands that the applicant be financially independent and capable of living without becoming a burden on the public welfare system.

If an applicant suffers from a severe chronic illness that prevents them from working, resulting in a long-term loss of income, there is a risk that they will be judged as failing to meet this “Independent Livelihood Requirement.” In other words, the rejection would not be due to the “illness itself,” but rather due to the “lack of economic stability caused by the illness.”

Conversely, even if an applicant has a chronic disease and visits a hospital regularly, as long as they maintain stable employment, earn a sufficient income, and lead an independent life, the illness is unlikely to be a direct negative factor in the examination.

Health Insurance Usage vs. Premium Payment#

In recent years, the Permanent Residence examination has placed strict emphasis on the fulfillment of public obligations, particularly the enrollment in and payment of “Social Insurance” (Health Insurance and Pension).

Payment Status is More Important than Usage#

What immigration examiners scrutinize is not “how often the applicant used health insurance (visited doctors)” but “whether the insurance premiums are paid on time.”

Japan has a high-cost medical expense benefit system, and there are cases where medical costs become high due to the treatment of chronic diseases. However, utilizing the health insurance system as a legitimate right does not constitute grounds for disadvantageous treatment. The Immigration Bureau does not penalize applicants for being sick or needing medical care.

However, if an applicant falls into financial hardship due to illness and fails to pay (or delays payment of) health insurance or pension premiums, obtaining Permanent Residence becomes extremely difficult. The focus is strictly on the compliance with payment obligations.

Relation to Public Assistance (Seikatsu Hogo)#

If an applicant’s health deteriorates to the point where they cannot work and they begin receiving Public Assistance (Seikatsu Hogo), meeting the requirements for Permanent Residence becomes very difficult. This is judged from the perspective of the “National Interest Requirement” in addition to the aforementioned “Independent Livelihood Requirement.” The expectation is that permanent residents should be contributors to the social security system rather than dependents on it upon application.

Exceptions Regarding Infectious Diseases#

As an exceptional case, if it is evident that an applicant is suffering from a “Class 1” or “Class 2” infectious disease under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases (such as certain viral hemorrhagic fevers or tuberculosis), individual judgments may be made from the perspective of public health or landing refusal grounds. However, this applies to serious contagious diseases that pose a risk to the general public. Common lifestyle diseases or chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or past surgeries) do not fall into this category.

Conclusion#

In the examination for Permanent Residence in Japan, the submission of a health certificate is generally not required. There is no regulation that automatically rejects an application solely based on the existence of a chronic illness.

The critical factors are:

1. Economic Independence: Can you support yourself despite any health issues?
2. Public Obligations: Have you paid your taxes and social insurance premiums on time?

Even if you have a chronic illness, if you continue to work while receiving appropriate treatment and pay your taxes and social insurance premiums without delay, you are fully eligible to apply for Permanent Residence under the system. While it is natural to feel anxious about health matters, it is most important to strictly manage your economic status and compliance with public obligations.