Reporting License Suspensions After Filing an Immigration Application in Japan#

When applying for a change or extension of visa status (status of residence), Permanent Residence, or Naturalization in Japan, applicants are expected to maintain good conduct throughout the review period. However, situations arise where an applicant commits a traffic violation, such as speeding, resulting in a license suspension while the application is still pending.

This scenario naturally causes significant anxiety. Applicants often wonder, “Should I report this?” or “Will reporting it lead to an automatic rejection?” There is a temptation to remain silent in the hope that the authorities will not find out.

However, from the perspective of Japan’s immigration system and naturalization procedures, concealing such facts is strictly advised against. This article provides an objective explanation of why self-reporting is necessary, how a license suspension impacts the review process, and the specific steps an applicant should take to handle the situation with integrity.

The Necessity of Self-Reporting#

To state the conclusion clearly: If you receive a license suspension while your application is pending, you should voluntarily report it to the Immigration Services Agency (for visas/PR) or the Legal Affairs Bureau (for Naturalization) immediately.

There are compelling administrative and legal reasons for this approach.

Investigative Capabilities of Reviewing Agencies#

The Immigration Services Agency and the Legal Affairs Bureau have the authority to inquire into an applicant’s background, including checking data with the National Police Agency and the Japan Safe Driving Center.

For Permanent Residence and Naturalization applications in particular, verifying traffic violation records is a standard part of the examination process. Examiners verify not only past violations but also check for any new violations that may have occurred during the screening period. Therefore, the assumption that “they won’t know if I don’t tell them” is factually incorrect. They will eventually discover the violation.

The Risk of Concealment#

If an applicant fails to report the incident and the authorities discover the license suspension on their own, the consequences are severe. This omission is often viewed not just as a traffic violation, but as a “failure to notify material facts” or a lack of sincerity in the application process.

In Japanese administrative procedures, the attitude of the applicant is highly scrutinized. Honesty is paramount. While a traffic violation is a negative factor, attempting to hide it is often considered a fatal flaw in the applicant’s character, leading to a denial based on a lack of credibility rather than the violation itself.

Impact on Different Types of Applications#

While a license suspension is a serious matter, the degree of impact varies depending on the type of application submitted.

Permanent Residence (Eiju-ken)#

One of the key requirements for Permanent Residence is the “Good Conduct Requirement” (Soko Zenryo Yoken). A license suspension due to speeding usually falls under a “Red Ticket” violation, which often involves criminal penalties (such as a fine determined by a court, rather than a simple administrative fine). This strongly conflicts with the good conduct requirement.

While this makes the review very difficult, it does not always result in automatic rejection. If the applicant has a long history of safe driving prior to this incident and demonstrates sincere remorse, there may still be a chance. However, failing to report the incident confirms a lack of good conduct, ensuring a rejection.

Naturalization (Kika)#

The criteria for Naturalization are even stricter than those for Permanent Residence. The “Conduct Requirement” is rigorously applied. A traffic violation during the application period is a direct negative factor. A license suspension is often seen as a lack of law-abiding spirit.

In Naturalization cases, the Legal Affairs Bureau case officer might advise the applicant to withdraw the application and reapply after a certain period of good behavior. However, honesty remains the critical factor. Reporting the incident to the case officer immediately allows for a discussion on the best course of action, preserving the applicant’s credibility for future attempts.

Standard Status of Residence (Work/Spouse Visas)#

For standard renewals or changes of status (e.g., “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities” or “Spouse of Japanese National”), a traffic violation does not typically lead to a denial of the visa itself, unless the violation was extremely severe (e.g., resulting in imprisonment or involving a major accident with casualties). Nevertheless, fulfilling the duty to report helps build trust with the Immigration Agency, which is beneficial for future renewals or eventual Permanent Residence applications.

Recommended Action Plan and Documentation#

If a license suspension is confirmed, the applicant should take the following steps to report the matter formally.

1. Obtain a Driving Record Certificate#

The applicant must first obtain a “Certificate of Driving Record” (Unten Kiroku Shomeisho), typically covering the past 5 years, from the Japan Safe Driving Center. This document provides objective proof of the violation, the points accumulated, and the date of the incident, ensuring that the report to Immigration is accurate.

2. Draft a Statement of Apology (Joshinsho/Riyusho)#

It is not enough to simply state the facts. The applicant should prepare a formal written statement (often titled Joshinsho or Statement of Reasons) that includes:

• The Facts: Date, time, location, speed exceeded, and the specific circumstances.
• The Cause: An analysis of why the violation occurred (avoiding excuses).
• Remorse: A sincere expression of apology and reflection.
• Prevention: Concrete measures taken to prevent recurrence (e.g., attending safety courses, ceasing driving for a period, family supervision).
• Request for Continued Review: A polite request for the examination to continue despite the incident.

This document serves as evidence of the applicant’s sincerity and rehabilitation. It should be written in the applicant’s own words.

3. Submission#

The Statement of Apology, along with the Certificate of Driving Record and copies of any penalty payments or summary orders, should be submitted to the relevant authority.

• For Immigration: Send via registered mail as “Additional Documents” (Tsuika Shiryo), clearly referencing the application receipt number.
• For Naturalization: It is customary to call the assigned case officer at the Legal Affairs Bureau first and request an appointment to report the matter in person.

Conclusion#

Receiving a license suspension for speeding after submitting an immigration application is undeniably a negative factor in the review process. However, attempting to conceal this fact transforms a “negative factor” into a definitive reason for rejection.

Japan’s immigration and legal affairs administration places a high value on compliance with the law and the honesty of the applicant. Even if a mistake has been made, promptly admitting the fact, showing sincere remorse, and voluntarily disclosing the information is the only way to mitigate the damage. In such anxious times, adhering to objective facts and maintaining integrity is the most effective strategy.