On July 30, 2026, Japan's Immigration Services Agency published its "Second Basic Plan for Immigration and Residency Management," setting the government's mid- to long-term immigration policy direction. It's the first such plan since 2019, addressing stricter operation of the permanent residence system alongside a new electronic travel authorization system, "JESTA."
The draft plan underwent a public comment period from June 30 to July 10, 2026, during which business federations, refugee support organizations, and other stakeholders submitted feedback.
Key Elements of the Basic Plan
① Stricter Operation of the Permanent Residence System
The plan states the government will "consider reviewing the independent livelihood requirement and the national interest requirement" for permanent residence, and indicates a policy of requiring a certain level of Japanese language proficiency plus completion of a program to learn about Japan's systems and rules as approval conditions. Specific requirements are expected to be finalized in the Permanent Residence Guidelines revision targeted for October 2026.
② Introduction of JESTA (Electronic Travel Authorization System)
The plan also introduces "JESTA," under which visa-exempt short-term visitors would apply online before departure, with the Ministry of Justice and Immigration Services Agency conducting advance screening. Development is underway, targeting implementation during fiscal year 2028. Comparable to the U.S. ESTA system, JESTA aims to balance stricter entry screening with shorter wait times at the border.
- The Second Basic Plan for Immigration and Residency Management was published July 30, 2026 — the first since the 2019 original plan
- Permanent residence: review of independent livelihood and national interest requirements planned; Japanese ability and a systems-education program to become new conditions
- Formal revision of the Permanent Residence Guidelines is targeted for October 2026
- JESTA (electronic travel authorization) is targeted for implementation during fiscal year 2028
What Comes Next
Specific permanent residence requirements will be finalized in the October 2026 guideline revision. For the reported income and pension requirements, see our earlier report; for the Japanese-language and systems-education requirements, see our detailed article.
Summary
- Japan's Immigration Services Agency published the Second Basic Plan for Immigration and Residency Management on July 30, 2026 (first since 2019)
- Stricter permanent residence rules: review of independent livelihood/national interest requirements, plus new Japanese-language and systems-education program conditions
- JESTA (electronic travel authorization) targeted for implementation in FY2028
- Specific PR requirements expected to be finalized in the October 2026 guideline revision
Those preparing a permanent residence application, or with questions about how the Basic Plan may affect their case, are advised to consult Sakura Central Legal Office (MOJ-certified application agent).