Japan's Immigration Services Agency has announced that it will be able to strip permanent residency from foreigners who deliberately avoid paying taxes, health insurance, or pension contributions, or are sentenced to prison for certain crimes, starting April 1, 2027. This move is part of a 2024 amendment to the immigration law, which aims to ensure that permanent residents comply with the country's laws and regulations. The new guidelines will apply to foreigners who have been granted permanent residency in Japan.
The new grounds for revoking permanent resident status fall into three groups. The first group includes deliberately not paying taxes, public health insurance, or pension premiums. The second group includes failing to renew or replace a residence card, not carrying it, or refusing to show it. The third group includes a prison sentence, even suspended, for listed deliberate crimes such as theft, fraud, extortion, murder, and dangerous driving causing death or injury.
To determine deliberate non-payment of taxes, the agency will consider factors such as income, the size and age of the arrears, and how the person answered reminders. The agency expects to act on long arrears after moving without notifying the local authority, ignored demands, repeatedly broken instalment plans, tax-evasion convictions, and hidden assets. However, falling behind due to illness, disaster, or job loss does not count as deliberate non-payment.
Other countries, including Britain, are also reworking settlement rules for long-term migrants. In Britain, Ghanaians seeking citizenship must meet a long-standing "intention to live" test. The changes in Japan and Britain reflect a broader trend of governments reviewing their immigration policies and ensuring that migrants comply with their laws and regulations.
Revocation of permanent residency is not automatic, and individuals who are found to have deliberately evaded taxes or committed crimes will be moved to another status, in most cases "long-term resident". They can reapply for permanent residency once they qualify again, and before any decision, they or a representative can present their side.
Ghanaians with permanent residency in Japan should check their tax, health insurance, and pension records to ensure they are clear. They should also agree to a payment plan with the local office if they are behind on payments and keep their residence card valid. The agency's summary confirms that the new rules will come into effect on April 1, 2027.
The changes will also affect Ghanaians living in other countries, including the United States, where there have been recent visa revocations over birth tourism. Ghanaians living abroad should be aware of the changing immigration landscape and ensure they comply with the laws and regulations of their host countries.
Key points
- Deliberate tax evasion, non-payment of health insurance or pension premiums, and certain crimes will be grounds for revoking permanent residency in Japan from April 2027.
