Simultaneous Application for Naturalization and Permanent Residence in Japan#

For foreign nationals residing in Japan for an extended period, achieving a stable legal status is often a primary goal. This typically leads to a significant crossroad: should one apply for Naturalization (Kika) to become a Japanese citizen, or apply for Permanent Residence (Eiju) to live in Japan indefinitely while retaining one’s current nationality?

A common question arising from this dilemma is: “Is it possible to apply for both Naturalization and Permanent Residence at the same time?”

The short answer is yes. Legally, there is no prohibition against running both applications concurrently. However, doing so involves navigating two distinct bureaucratic systems, which brings specific advantages, disadvantages, and procedural complexities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and objective analysis of the simultaneous application process.

Understanding the Institutional Differences#

To understand why simultaneous application is complex, one must first recognize that these two procedures are handled by different government bodies under the Ministry of Justice umbrella.

Naturalization (Kika):
- Jurisdiction: Legal Affairs Bureau (Houmukyoku).
- Outcome: Acquisition of Japanese nationality. You obtain a Japanese family register (Koseki) and passport.
- Requirement: You must generally renounce your current nationality (Japan generally does not allow dual citizenship for adults).
Permanent Residence (Eiju):
- Jurisdiction: Immigration Services Agency (Nyukan).
- Outcome: Acquisition of a visa status that has no expiration date and no restriction on employment activities.
- Requirement: You retain your current nationality and passport.

Because these applications go to different offices, they are processed independently. There is no unified “status adjustment” form; you must initiate and maintain two separate legal procedures.

The Strategic Advantages#

Why would an applicant choose to undergo the arduous process of applying for both simultaneously?

1. The “Safety Net” Strategy#

The criteria for Naturalization and Permanent Residence overlap but are not identical.

Naturalization places a heavy emphasis on integration into Japanese society, Japanese language proficiency (usually elementary to intermediate level), and behavior/conduct.
Permanent Residence places a stricter emphasis on financial independence, income levels relative to household size, and a flawless record of tax and social insurance payments.

It is possible for an applicant to meet the criteria for one but not the other. By applying for both, an applicant creates a safety net: if the Naturalization application is rejected due to a lack of recognized integration, the Permanent Residence application might still be approved based on strong financial data, or vice versa.

2. Mitigating Long Processing Times#

Both processes are notoriously slow. Permanent Residence applications can take anywhere from 4 months to over a year, while Naturalization typically takes 10 months to a year (or longer) after acceptance. By running them in parallel, an applicant minimizes the “waiting time” for achieving a stable status. If Permanent Residence is granted first, the applicant secures their stay immediately while waiting for the final decision on citizenship.

The Disadvantages and Risks#

While the strategy sounds sound in theory, the practical execution presents significant hurdles.

1. Double the Documentation, Double the Cost#

Since the agencies are distinct, you cannot share documents between them. You must submit original certificates to both the Legal Affairs Bureau and the Immigration Bureau. This means you need two sets of:

Birth certificates from your home country.
Marriage certificates.
Tax payment certificates (Nozei-shomeisho and Kazei-shomeisho).
Employment certificates.
Certified copies of the corporate register (if you are a business owner).

This doubles the administrative burden, translation costs, and fees for gathering documents.

2. The “Consistency Trap”#

This is the most critical risk. The facts stated in your Naturalization application must align perfectly with those in your Permanent Residence application. This includes your resume of residence (Kyoju-rekisho), employment history, and family details.

The Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency share information. If there is a discrepancy—for example, if you list a certain period of employment in one application but omit it in the other, or if travel dates differ—it can be viewed as a falsification of records. Such inconsistencies can lead to the denial of both applications on the grounds of dishonesty or lack of credibility. Precision is paramount.

3. Explaining Your Intent#

During the Naturalization interview, officials assess your genuine desire to become Japanese. If they see a concurrent Permanent Residence application, they may question your commitment: “Do you really want to become Japanese, or do you just want a convenient visa?” While you can explain that you are seeking stability, you must be prepared to articulate why you are pursuing both paths without sounding opportunistic.

Procedural Outcomes: What Happens When One is Approved?#

Since the timelines differ, one application will likely conclude before the other. Here is how to handle each scenario:

Scenario A: Naturalization is Approved First#

If your Naturalization is approved, you become a Japanese citizen. At this moment, you lose your status as a foreign national. Consequently, you no longer need (nor can you hold) a Japanese visa or Permanent Residence.

Action Required: You must withdraw your Permanent Residence application immediately, as it is no longer legally applicable to you. You will then proceed to create your Family Register (Koseki) and return your Residence Card.

Scenario B: Permanent Residence is Approved First#

If Permanent Residence is approved while your Naturalization application is still pending, your status changes to “Permanent Resident.”

Action Required: You do not need to withdraw your Naturalization application. You can continue living in Japan as a Permanent Resident while the Legal Affairs Bureau completes its review. If Naturalization is later approved, you then transition from Permanent Resident to Japanese Citizen. If Naturalization is denied, you simply remain a Permanent Resident, which is a very secure status in itself.

Conclusion#

Simultaneous application for Naturalization and Permanent Residence is a legitimate legal strategy for those seeking to maximize their chances of securing a permanent future in Japan. It serves as a robust risk management tool against the uncertainties of immigration screening.

However, this approach demands a high level of diligence. The burden of collecting duplicate documents and the absolute necessity of maintaining consistency between two complex applications should not be underestimated. Any discrepancy can backfire, jeopardizing both applications.

Applicants should carefully evaluate their resources and their ultimate goals. If the priority is purely “stability” regardless of passport color, the simultaneous approach is valid. If the goal is strictly identity-based, focusing on one path may be less stressful. Regardless of the choice, transparency and accuracy in all filings remain the cornerstone of a successful application.