Introduction

Many foreign freelancers in Japan wonder, “My income is unstable. Can I still obtain or renew ‘Long-Term Resident’ status?”
In fact, neither the Immigration Control Act nor the Immigration Services Agency’s website specifies a clear figure such as “an annual income of XX yen or more,” which makes it hard to know what level of income is considered sufficient.

Based on information from public authorities such as the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency, this article explains in plain language how immigration looks at applications from freelancers, and what often separates permission from refusal.

What Is “Long-Term Resident”?

The “Long-Term Resident” status of residence is granted to a person whom the Minister of Justice allows to reside in Japan for a designated period in consideration of “special circumstances.”
On the official website of the Immigration Services Agency, typical examples include third-generation Japanese descendants, Japanese war-displaced individuals left behind in China, and biological children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents.

“Long-Term Resident” is a status based on personal/family ties, and in principle there are no restrictions on work: the holder may work as a part-timer, regular employee, self-employed person, or freelancer.
On the other hand, when applying for change or extension, immigration authorities place great weight on whether the applicant’s life in Japan is economically stable.

Official Focus: Stability of Life Rather Than a Fixed Income Figure

Looking at materials published by the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency (especially the “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence”), a common concept regarding income is “the ability to maintain an independent livelihood.”
The provision on “Long-Term Resident” in the Immigration Control Act does not specify any concrete income level, but in practice, whether the applicant’s living conditions fall below the public assistance standard and whether they are likely to be a burden on public finances are key considerations.

The Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence also make it clear that immigration authorities examine income stability, tax payment, and social insurance contributions in an integrated manner to see if the person can maintain an independent life in Japan, and a similar approach is taken in examinations for Long-Term Residents.

Common Concerns of Freelancers with Unstable Income

Freelancers often have the following concerns.

• Monthly sales fluctuate widely, making it hard to predict annual income
• Contracts with clients are short-term and renewed through ad hoc negotiations
• There were periods of unemployment in the past, resulting in low taxable income in some years
• Income comes from many small jobs, making it difficult to prove one “stable” job

Immigration authorities do not look only at the income amount at the time of application, but at whether the current level of income is likely to continue and whether the applicant can maintain their livelihood over time.
Therefore, even if income temporarily increases in one year, if income was extremely low in other years, it may be difficult to be evaluated as “stable.”

Key Factors That Often Determine the Outcome

Major factors that often decide whether a freelancer’s Long-Term Resident application or extension is approved include the following.

1. Whether household income falls below the public assistance level
   If household income is significantly lower than the standards for public assistance (basic living assistance plus housing assistance) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the applicant may be seen as unable to maintain an independent livelihood.
2. Whether continuity of income can be explained
   Immigration looks not only at annual income for one year, but also at income trends over several years, the existence of long-term clients, and prospects for contract renewals.
3. Tax and social insurance payment status
   As in the permanent residence guidelines, arrears of resident tax, health insurance premiums, or pension contributions will likely be seen as negative factors.
4. Balance of income and expenses for the entire household
   Even if the applicant’s own income is not high, if the spouse or other cohabiting family members have stable income and the household as a whole can maintain its living standard, this will be taken into account.
5. Whether low income is temporary or structural
   A temporary drop in income due to illness, childbirth, or childcare is evaluated differently from a long-term pattern of unstable and low income.

Example Scenario: Designer with Highly Fluctuating Income

To make the discussion concrete, let us consider a hypothetical case.

• Status of residence: Long-Term Resident
• Occupation: Freelance graphic designer
• Family: Japanese spouse and one child attending an elementary school in Japan
• Residence: A low-rent apartment in a suburban area

Suppose the income situation over several years is as follows.

• Three years ago: Mainly part-time jobs, annual income around 1.8 million yen
• Two years ago: Switched to freelancing, annual income around 2.3 million yen
• Most recent year: Increase in major projects, annual income around 3.2 million yen

Looking only at the most recent year, an annual income of around 3.2 million yen for a family of three could be considered not far below the level generally required to maintain an ordinary life. However, immigration will consider income trends over several years and examine whether the current level is likely to continue.

• Will the major client continue to provide work, or was it a one-off project?
• Are there multiple clients and a stable base of future work?
• Does the spouse have income? Are there savings that supplement living expenses?

If these points are carefully explained with documentation, unstable income does not automatically mean refusal, and the chances of approval can be improved.

Practical Tips for Freelancers to Prove Stability

Freelancers seeking to obtain or renew Long-Term Resident status can make good use of the following documentation to demonstrate the stability of their livelihood.

• Copies of income tax returns, certificates of taxation, and tax payment certificates
• Service or outsourcing contracts with major clients (ideally with terms of one year or more)
• Invoices and bank statements showing repeated or continuous transactions
• Books or spreadsheets showing monthly sales for at least one year
• Bank passbook copies showing a steady pattern of savings over time
• If receiving financial support from a spouse or relatives in Japan, a written explanation, their income certificates, and bank balance certificates

Regarding bank balances, a large deposit made just before the application is less persuasive than a record of steady savings over many months in demonstrating financial planning and stability.
If there are any tax or social insurance arrears, it is advisable to resolve them before filing an application and be prepared to explain the background and current status.

Long-Term Resident vs. Permanent Resident

“Permanent Resident” is another status that allows long-term residence in Japan.
In the “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence” published by the Immigration Services Agency, the following points are listed as elements of the independent livelihood requirement.

• Taxes and social insurance contributions are paid appropriately
• Stable future income can be expected
• The household’s living standard does not fall below the public assistance level

For both Long-Term Residents and Permanent Residents, the fundamental principle is the same: whether the person can live in Japan in a stable and independent manner without becoming a public burden.
Permanent Resident screening is generally stricter, but if you start planning your finances and documentation early—at the Long-Term Resident stage—it will be easier later on to apply for Permanent Resident status.

Conclusion

• For Long-Term Resident status, neither the Immigration Control Act nor the Immigration Services Agency specifies a concrete figure such as “an annual income of XX yen or more.”
• In practice, immigration examines whether the applicant’s living conditions fall below the public assistance level and whether they can maintain an independent livelihood without becoming a public burden.
• For freelancers, immigration looks not only at income amounts, but also at income trends over several years, client contracts, savings, and household income as a whole in order to assess the stability of their life.
• By combining documents such as tax certificates, contracts, bank statements, and evidence of financial support from family members, freelancers with unstable income can still demonstrate that they have a stable basis for living in Japan and improve their chances of being granted Long-Term Resident status.

When aiming for Long-Term Resident status as a freelancer, it is important not to focus solely on income figures, but to prepare documents that allow immigration to see the overall stability of your life in Japan.
Because the optimal strategy depends on your specific residence history, income patterns, and family situation, you may wish to consult a specialist if you are unsure how best to present your case.