Japan is an old country with an interesting history. This country has also become a world leader in several sectors. Immigrants seeking Japanese citizenship need to be aware that this procedure can take a year or more. In addition, you will also need to live in Japan for five years before starting the formal application process. However, the percentage of applicants who get citizenship is very high. There are about 90% of applicants whose citizenship applications are accepted. There is also an alternative method for people who can prove they were born in Japan or if one or both of your parents are Japanese.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Obtaining Japanese Citizenship for Foreign Nationals
Step 1. Live in Japan for five consecutive years
Before you apply for citizenship in Japan, you must have lived there for at least five consecutive years. If you meet any of the requirements below, you may be able to obtain citizenship status without meeting the requirements above.
- You have lived in Japan for three years or more and are the child of someone of Japanese nationality.
- You were born in Japan and have lived or resided there for three consecutive years, and have a father or mother who was born in Japan.
- You own a home in Japan for ten years or more.
- In addition to showing proof of the date during which you were domiciled there, you must also show all proof of the date when you left or entered Japan during this period. You can prove it by showing a copy of your passport, visa, or other official document.
Step 2. You must be at least 20 years old
In addition to being 20 years old, you must be able to prove that you are of legal age in your home country. In some countries, you can be considered an adult when you are 18 years old, 21 years old, or there may be another age limit. Check these rules with a lawyer in your home country.
Step 3. Prove that you are well behaved
Comply with SCKC's request to prove that you have never committed a crime. Each case is investigated separately, so some criminal activity may not prevent you from obtaining citizenship.
Step 4. Prove that you can support yourself while in Japan
Proof that you are able to support a decent living can be done through work or property ownership. If you are married and your partner supports your family, then this requirement has been met.
If you work and enter your office in your application then immigration authorities may visit your office to confirm the correctness of the information you provide
Step 5. Give up another nationality
You must give up your other nationality before submitting your application or at the same time you start it. Japan does not allow its citizens to have dual citizenship to avoid conflicts that might arise.
- If you are able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances then you may be able to retain your other nationality as well as obtain Japanese citizenship at the same time.
- People under the age of 20 can still hold dual citizenship. They have to choose which nationality they want to choose before they turn 20 years old.
Step 6. Take a prequalification interview
Contact the Ministry of Law and Human Rights from the law firm near where you live in Japan. Do this if you believe that you have met all the requirements for Japanese citizenship. Ministry office officials will conduct interviews. At the initial stage, interviews will be conducted by telephone or face-to-face meetings. The goal is to conduct an initial screening. The officer will find out if you have met all or almost all of the requested requirements.
If the officers are satisfied and believe you are ready to proceed with the application, they will schedule a second round of interviews
Step 7. Take the second stage of the interview
You will learn the specifics required to prove your eligibility for citizenship at this stage. There is no list of requirements. The officer will consider each applicant and case separately, and provide explanations for the next stage. In general, you can expect that you will need the following documents:
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- passport
- proof of international travel
- Certificate of Employment
- proof of asset ownership
- proof of residence or domicile
- proof of education (transcript, diploma)
- certificate of physical and mental condition
- SKCK
Step 8. Watch the naturalization video
During the second stage of the interview, you will be shown a video regarding the procedures and expectations surrounding naturalization in Japan. The video will be one hour long.
Step 9. Gather your files and study the manual
You will get a list of specific documentation to provide when you are done with the second stage of the interview. In addition, you will also receive a manual explaining the naturalization requirements once you are done with this step. It may take several months for you to complete this stage. Call the officer in charge of your case to arrange a meeting when you are ready.
At the end of the previous meeting, you will be given your contact name and application number
Step 10. Participate in one or more application meetings
Contact the officer in charge of your case and arrange a meeting with him or her when you are sure that you have met all the requirements. Everything you worked on before was part of the pre-application process. You will meet with one or more immigration officers who will check every detail of your application. If something is missing or incomplete, you will be asked to complete it. They may also ask you to add new files they deem important.
Step 11. Wait while your files are checked
After you enter the application, you will be asked to go home. During this time also, the officer will check and verify all the details of your application. The staff may also visit you at home during this process. In addition, they can also interview the closest people who referred you or maybe your boss.
- During this process, you may be asked for additional information about anything.
- This part of the process can take several months.
Step 12. Attend the final meeting
When everything seems satisfactory, you will be contacted for a final meeting. At this meeting, you must sign the oath, and your application will be legally accepted by the Bureau of Legal Affairs. This bureau will forward your complete application, along with your signed statement to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. You will receive Japanese citizenship when the ministry accepts and approves your application.
Method 2 of 3: Becoming a Japanese Citizen By Recognition
Step 1. Meet the minimum requirements for citizenship status
If one of your parents is Japanese but not married, you can get Japanese citizenship as long as you meet the following criteria:
- Under 20 years of age.
- Have never been a Japanese citizen.
- Must be legally recognized by one of your parents.
- Your acknowledgment parent must have been a Japanese citizen at the time of your birth.
- The parent who acknowledges you must still be a Japanese citizen at the time he or she recognizes you.
Step 2. Report directly to the appropriate office
If you want to claim Japanese citizenship, you must come directly to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. If you live in Japan, then you must report to the legal affairs bureau in your home area. However, if you live outside of Japan, then you can come to any Japanese Consulate or Embassy of Japan.
Report directly to claim citizenship. The only exception is only for children under 15 years of age. Your guardian or representative must come on your behalf if you are under 15 years of age
Step 3. Give notice that you want to claim citizenship
You must provide this notification in writing at the office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The ministry will provide you with the forms you need. Fill in and enter the form.
Method 3 of 3: Obtaining Japanese Citizenship By Birth
Step 1. Have one parent who is a Japanese citizen
If one of your parents was Japanese at the time of your birth, then you will have the same nationality at birth.
Step 2. Have a Japanese father
Under article 2(2) of Japan's National Law, if you are the child of a Japanese father, but he died before you were born, you will immediately be granted Japanese citizenship.
Step 3. Born in Japan
If you were born in Japan, but your parents are unknown, you will automatically get Japanese citizenship. However, this will only apply if the baby is abandoned, reported neglected, or handed over to a medical facility or police station.
Tips
- Enjoy your time. If you haven't already, study Japanese during these five years and get to know the people in the area where you live.
- Don't be discouraged by the length of time it takes. If you really want to become a citizen of this cherry country, everything will pay off.
Warning
- Make sure this is what you really want. Although the minimum residence time is five years, the process of reviewing your application can take up to a year.
- If you are over 20 years old, you must declare sole citizenship in the country of your choice. Make sure you want it, as you will have to give up the citizenship of your home country.
- You have to be completely honest to get Japanese citizenship. Deliberately telling lies can get you jailed, fined, or sentenced to both.
