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Oct 31, 2024

How long does it take to get your PR status?

I am waiting to get permanent status. The official website says it should take about 4 months, but when I called Tokyo Immigration, they said it would take 1 year. What is your experience? :)

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KevinC

KevinC

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14 Answers

Best Answer

  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 1

    I'd recommend keeping your eye on the Japan residents subreddit (r/japanresidents) as they do a monthly subreddit of how long it took people to be granted their PR. Below is the link for October. It seems like a lot has to do with the office that you've applied through -- for instance, someone in Hokkaido applied in May this year and was granted in October, others are still waiting and haven't been granted after applying from Tokyo around August of 2023. https://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/1ftclk6/pr_processing_time_october_2024/

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  • KevinC

    KevinC

    on Nov 1

    @genkidesu Wow I keep searching in Japanese, never comes to my mind to search on Reddit. Thank you for the link!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 1

    @KevinC No worries, glad it's useful! I imagine there will be a new thread for November posted soon so you can get a rough estimate of what to expect.

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  • Eli

    Eli

    on Nov 4

    It took 6 months for me.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 5

    @Eli That's pretty quick from what I've seen online recently, it's nice that it was quick! Was it this year that you got your PR?

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  • KamaT

    KamaT

    on Nov 5

    I occasionally see expats post on X about getting their PR. I feel like it usually seems to have taken them 6-8 months.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Nov 5

    @genkidesu Thanks for that link which reveals a lot about the timelines depending on region!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 6

    @TonetoEdo I always find forums or Reddit to be helpful with a variety of info! I'm grateful for the folks out there who share their first-hand experiences on there.

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Nov 10

    It seems to be taken longer in recent years than it did five to ten years ago. Even the regular visas (work / dependent etc) are taking longer these days. In Saitama Prefecture anyway.

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  • BlueButterfly

    BlueButterfly

    on Nov 11

    I´ve just got my PR a few month ago. Actually it took over 1 1/2 year at the Tokyo Shinagawa office to get it. Even I just changed from a 10 years spouse visa to PR ^^´´

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Nov 12

    @genkidesu ...And it took 9 months for immigration to reject my first attempt at applying for PR. I'll try again, but honestly, the wait is daunting.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 13

    @TonetoEdo Do they give you a reason for declining it? I can completely understand not wanting to wait that long again, but I think the stability of PR would be nice too.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Nov 21

    @genkidesu They did! It was a simple issue - I had applied in the middle a long status of residence. I was told to apply again, combining my visa extension and PR application. To my mind, I think it's just hoop-jumping for the sake of generating immigration stamp revenue.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 22

    @TonetoEdo Yes, it does sound a bit bureaucratic and revenue raising -- hopefully second time will be the charm!

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