1. Do Not Assume the Application Is Decided on the Submission Date

One of the most important points is that immigration review continues after the application is submitted.

The submission date is important, but it does not mean that immigration stops looking at the applicant's situation.

If important changes occur during the review period, they may affect the examination.

For example, immigration may become interested in:

• job changes;
• income changes;
• tax or pension issues;
• family changes;
• long overseas travel; and
• changes in residence status or period of stay.

Therefore, applicants should treat the pending period as part of the application process.

2. Do Not Ignore Your Current Visa Expiration Date

Applying for Permanent Residence does not automatically extend your current period of stay.

This is a very important point.

If your current period of stay will expire while the Permanent Residence application is pending, you may still need to apply for an extension of your current Status of Residence.

Permanent Residence and extension of period of stay are separate procedures.

Failing to manage your current visa properly may create serious immigration problems.

The important question is not only:

"Did I apply for Permanent Residence?"

but also:

"Is my current Status of Residence still valid during the review period?"

3. Do Not Stop Paying Taxes, Pension, or Health Insurance

Public obligations remain important even after the Permanent Residence application has been submitted.

Applicants should continue to pay taxes, pension, and health insurance properly and by the applicable deadlines.

A common mistake is assuming that only past records matter.

However, if payment problems occur while the application is pending, they may become relevant.

Applicants should be especially careful with:

• resident tax;
• income tax;
• national pension or employees' pension;
• national health insurance or employees' health insurance; and
• any payment deadlines issued by local government offices.

If you receive any tax or social insurance notice during the pending period, it should not be ignored.

4. Do Not Change Jobs Without Considering the Immigration Impact

Changing jobs while a Permanent Residence application is pending is not automatically prohibited.

However, it may affect the examination depending on the circumstances.

For example, immigration may consider whether the new employment remains stable, whether income changes, and whether the applicant continues to satisfy the requirements for Permanent Residence.

A job change may be especially sensitive if:

• income decreases significantly;
• the new job is unrelated to the current Status of Residence;
• the applicant becomes unemployed for a period of time;
• the employer changes shortly after submission; or
• the job change affects Highly Skilled Professional points.

The issue is not simply whether changing jobs is allowed.

The more practical question is:

"How will this change look during the Permanent Residence review?"

5. Do Not Forget Required Notifications

Certain changes may require notification to the Immigration Services Agency or other authorities.

For example, depending on your Status of Residence, a change of employer or affiliated organization may require a notification.

Moving to a new address also requires proper residence registration procedures at the municipal office.

These notifications may seem administrative, but they can be important.

Failure to complete required notifications may create unnecessary negative factors during immigration review.

Applicants should confirm whether any of the following changes require action:

• change of employer;
• leaving employment;
• change of address;
• change in marital status;
• change of affiliated institution; and
• other changes relevant to the current Status of Residence.

6. Do Not Take Long Overseas Trips Without Careful Planning

Traveling outside Japan while a Permanent Residence application is pending is not automatically prohibited.

However, long or repeated overseas stays may create questions depending on the circumstances.

Permanent Residence is based on the idea of stable and continuous residence in Japan.

If an applicant spends a significant amount of time outside Japan during the review period, immigration may consider whether the applicant's life is still centered in Japan.

Before traveling, applicants should consider:

• the length of the trip;
• the reason for travel;
• whether the trip affects employment;
• whether the applicant will be reachable during the review period; and
• whether re-entry procedures are properly handled.

In some cases, travel is unavoidable. However, it should be planned carefully.

7. Do Not Ignore Mail or Phone Calls From Immigration

During the review period, immigration may request additional documents or contact the applicant.

Ignoring such communication can create serious problems.

Applicants should regularly check:

• postal mail;
• email, if used for communication;
• phone calls from immigration or representatives; and
• requests for additional documents.

If immigration requests additional documents, the response deadline should be carefully managed.

Delays or incomplete responses may affect the application.