Introduction

Foreign nationals working in Japan under the “Skilled Labor” status of residence often worry whether their income level is sufficient for renewal. Those earning around 2.8 million yen in particular tend to feel anxious about whether renewal will actually be approved or whether they may lose their right to stay in Japan.​

This article explains the income requirements and examination approach for the “Skilled Labor” status of residence, using publicly available government information and practical operation trends. It also outlines rough income benchmarks and how to reinforce your application when your income is on the lower side.​

Basics of Skilled Labor and Income Requirements

The “Skilled Labor” status of residence is designed for experienced workers such as cooks of foreign cuisine, auto mechanics, and sports instructors who meet certain experience or qualification requirements. Its activities and criteria are defined in the Immigration Control Act and are distinguished from other work‑related statuses like “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”​

There is no officially published rule that “you must earn at least X yen per year” in order to renew “Skilled Labor.” Instead, the examination guidelines use general criteria such as “having sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood” and “having appropriate employment and working conditions.”​

How Immigration Authorities Check Income

Changes and renewals of status of residence are permitted when the Minister of Justice finds “reasonable grounds,” and income and living conditions are one element in this assessment. Rather than drawing a mechanical line based solely on income, authorities consider several factors, including:​

• Whether the salary is not unreasonably low compared with that of Japanese workers in similar positions​
• Whether the person can live without relying on public assistance, based on their income level​
• Whether the actual working conditions match the employment contract and taxes and social insurance are properly handled​

Particularly for work‑related statuses, authorities emphasize “a salary level equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese workers,” and if the wage is clearly lower than that of comparable Japanese employees, questions are likely to arise at renewal.

An Annual Income of 2.8 Million Yen Is Not an Automatic Refusal

An annual income of about 2.8 million yen may be barely sufficient for a single person living in a regional area, but it can be viewed as low if supporting a family in an urban area. Authorities do not automatically refuse renewal just because income is around 2.8 million yen, but instead make a comprehensive judgement that may also consider:​

• Whether actual income, including overtime pay, is stable
• Whether the salary is not significantly lower than that of Japanese workers in similar jobs and regions​
• Whether savings or support from family help supplement living costs​

Thus, even with income around 2.8 million yen, renewal may be approved if the employment conditions are appropriate, work is continuous, and there are no problems with actual living conditions. On the other hand, if there are many dependents, tax arrears, or doubts about the reality of employment, the risk of refusal increases even at the same income level.​

Model Case

Below is a fictional example to help readers visualize typical situations. It does not represent any real case or specific office record.

• Mr. A (early 30s, single)
  Works as a cook of foreign cuisine under “Skilled Labor” in a restaurant located in a regional city. His annual income, including overtime pay, is around 2.8 million yen. He is enrolled in social insurance, and income tax and resident tax are deducted from his salary. He has some savings and lives in an area where rent is relatively low.

In this kind of case, it may be possible to obtain renewal approval if documents show that:

• The salary is not unreasonably low compared with that of Japanese workers
• Employment is continuous with stable working conditions
• Taxes and social insurance contributions are properly paid

However, even at the same income level, if he is supporting a spouse and several children, authorities are more likely to doubt the stability of the household’s livelihood.​

Key Points to Reinforce When Income Is Low

If your income is around 2.8 million yen and you feel it may be relatively low, it is important to prepare your application carefully with the following points in mind:​

• Use your employment contract, pay slips, and tax certificates to clearly show your salary level and stable work record
• Explain your savings, rent level, and whether you have dependents, in order to show concretely that your life is not collapsing financially
• Prove that taxes and social insurance premiums are being paid, demonstrating that you are not a burden on public finances​

At renewal, the key is whether you can demonstrate that you satisfy the requirements of “having sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood” and “having appropriate employment and working conditions” under the Immigration Control Act. Do not focus only on the income figure; instead, prepare documents that explain your overall living stability.​

When to Consult a Professional

In the following situations, you should consider consulting a professional such as a gyoseishoshi lawyer instead of deciding on your own:

• You have many dependents and your income seems insufficient to cover living costs
• You have a history of unpaid taxes or unpaid national health insurance contributions
• Your employer’s business is deteriorating and your salary has decreased
• Your actual job duties may no longer match the scope of “Skilled Labor”​

These issues affect not only income but also your activities, legal compliance, and the reliability of your employer, all of which tend to make examinations stricter. By identifying risks in advance and deciding what documents and explanations to submit, you can reduce the risk of refusal.​

Summary

No official numerical threshold such as “you will be refused if you earn less than X yen” is published for renewing the “Skilled Labor” status. However, in practice, immigration authorities carefully review whether the applicant can maintain an independent livelihood and whether salary levels are comparable to those of Japanese workers.

Even with an annual income of around 2.8 million yen, renewal may be approved if a single person’s life is stable, employment conditions are appropriate, and there are no problems with tax or social insurance payments. Conversely, the risk of refusal increases when there are many dependents, doubts about the reality of employment, or unpaid obligations.​

If you are unsure whether your income and living situation are sufficient for renewal or how much documentation you should prepare, it is advisable not to rely solely on your own judgment and instead consult a professional familiar with immigration procedures. With the right preparation, even a limited income level can often be sufficient to pursue a safe renewal.​