Japanese Citizenship for Indian

According to the Japanese Nationality Laws, there are three ways by which you can become a citizen of Japan:

By birth

By obtaining citizenship as a child

By naturalisation

The eligibility criteria for the abovementioned ways are complex and vary depending on certain factors.

However, the following are the basic eligibility requirements you need to meet to apply for Japan’s nationality via any one of the three ways:

Eligibility Criteria: Becoming a Japanese National By Birth

At least one of your parents should be a citizen of Japan at the time of your birth.

If you were born in Japan but do not know your parents due to abandonment or any other reason, you still qualify for Japanese citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria: Becoming a Japanese National By Obtaining Citizenship as a Child

If you are under 20 years of age with at least one parent who is a Japanese citizen, you are eligible for Japanese citizenship even if you are not born in the country.

Eligibility Criteria: Becoming a Japanese National By Naturalisation

You must have lived in Japan for a continuous period of at least five years. In other words, you must be a PR status holder for a minimum of 5 years.

You must renounce your previous citizenship.

You must be able to support yourself and your dependents in the country.

You must not have any criminal record.

You must be proficient in the Japanese language. Your proficiency level is required to be equivalent to that of a 7 to 8-year-old Japanese kid.

It is important to submit all the supporting documents for a successful Japanese citizenship application.

While the required document can vary depending on the type of application, here are some common ones you need to submit at the time of applying for Japan’s citizenship for Indians:

Identity Proof (birth certificate, driving licence, or passport)

• Address proof

• Proof of original nationality

• Certificate of residence and residence history

• Written oath

• Last six months' pay slips

• Map of residence vicinity

• Receipts of tax payments

• Bank statements

• Certificate of assets

• Details and supporting documents about your relatives, such as parents or spouse (if the application is based on family ties)

• Passport size photograph

• Complete citizenship form

You need to seek permission from the Japanese Minister of Justice in order to become a citizen of Japan. But first, you need to file your application at the local Legal Affairs Bureau (LFB) if you are already living in Japan. Further, if you are applying outside of Japan, you need to contact the Japanese consulate or embassy in your country.

Assuming that you are already in Japan, here are the steps you need to perform:

Step 1: Arrange all the necessary documents depending on the type of your application.

Step 2: File your application at the local Legal Affairs Bureau.

Step 3: Once your application is checked and verified, you will be invited for an interview at the LAB.

Step 4: If your citizenship application is approved, it will be sent over to the Minister of Justice for final permission to naturalise.

Step 5: Next, your naturalisation will be announced officially in the Gazette, and you will be provided with a naturalisation certificate. Moreover, you also need to return your alien registration card.

Once the process is complete, you need to update your legal status, bank details, and other documents with your new nationality.

The processing time, as well as the cost of a Japanese citizenship application, is different for different types of applications. However, you can expect the approval to take around 12-18 months to complete.

Coming to the cost of applying for Japan nationality, it can range from ¥40,000 (₹22,000) to ¥50,000 (~₹44,000) for a single application. Further, the application cost for the entire family can vary depending on the total number of family members you are applying for.

For accurate cost, it is recommended to get in touch with a Japanese government official or Japanese consulate/embassy in your home country.

Japan is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating countries to visit. In fact, it remains on the bucket list of travellers from all across the globe.

In case you are planning a short trip to Japan before deciding on settling there, a travel insurance policy is highly recommended. It will save you from unnecessary troubles and unforeseen emergencies in a foreign land. These include any medical emergency, loss of personal belongings/critical documents/ baggage, theft, and so on.

A reliable travel insurance plan from Tata AIG is an investment rather than an expense. It will safeguard your travel and ensure you stay stress-free during your stay in Japan.

Want to buy travel insurance but don’t know which one to choose? Don’t worry. Give us a call, and we will help you compare travel insurance depending on your needs and choose the most appropriate policy.

Getting citizenship in Japan can be very beneficial if you are already living in the country as a student or a foreign worker. However, the process can get complicated without the know-how’s.

Say no more!

We have mentioned everything you need to know about Japan’s citizenship process and the important requirements to become a Japanese national. Our job here is done. Now it is your turn to take the next step…!