918,000 Japan permanent residents face Eijūken revocation for unpaid taxes

Japan keeps permanent residency tied to tax and insurance payments

918,000 Japan permanent residents face Eijūken revocation for unpaid taxes

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will start enforcing a revised permanent residency rule in April 2027. It allows revocation of Eijūken if a foreign resident deliberately skips taxes or social insurance premiums.

The rule targets repeated, large arrears tied to clear ability to pay and awareness of the duty. Illness, unemployment and other unavoidable cases are excluded and people who settle debts before enforcement may avoid the harshest outcome.

Who it affects

The change mainly affects permanent residents, a group that numbered more than 918,000 in 2024. Short-term visitors and tourists aren’t affected because they don’t hold residency status.

Long-term residents and some expats could face scrutiny at renewal or under tighter residency checks if unpaid balances show up in linked records. The agency has also said some humanitarian cases may be shifted to a renewable long-term resident status instead.

What to do before the deadline

The Immigration Services Agency plans to finalize guidelines by fall 2026, so the practical rules should be clearer well before enforcement starts. Anyone with overdue tax or insurance bills should clear them early and keep proof of payment.

Fees for residency and permanent residency filings are also set to rise in fiscal 2026, with caps expected to reach ¥100,000 to ¥300,000. Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture and visa updates.