🚨 Japan to Deny Visa Renewal for Foreigners Who Don’t Pay Pension or Health Insurance

Ippo Visa Support
Nov 7, 2025
4 min read

Index

Why Japan is Taking This Step

What This Means in Practice

What Are People Saying?

What You Can Do Right Now

Why This Is Serious

Final Thoughts

The rule that could change life for thousands of foreign residents in Japan

If you’ve been living in Japan and haven’t been keeping up with your health insurance or pension payments, it’s time to pay attention. Starting June 2027, the Japanese government plans to deny visa renewals or changes of status to foreigners who fail to pay into the national systems — a move that’s already sparking serious discussion among expats.

Why Japan is Taking This Step

For years, Japan has been struggling with an aging population and the growing burden on its social security system. Meanwhile, government data shows that among foreign residents:

Only about 63% paid their national health insurance premiums.
Fewer than half (49.7%) contributed properly to the pension system.

To address this gap, Japan is tightening the rules. The Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will begin checking foreigners’ insurance and pension payment history whenever they apply for a visa renewal or status change.

In simple terms —➡️ No payment, no visa.

🧾 What This Means in Practice

From June 2027, when you go to renew your visa or change residence status, immigration officers will also verify whether:

You’ve been paying your national health insurance premiums.
You’ve contributed to the national pension as required.

If records show unpaid months or missing contributions, your visa application could be delayed, questioned, or even rejected.

And it won’t just apply to one type of visa — this policy could affect:

Work visa holders
Dependents
Students who switch to working visas
Even long-term residents applying for extensions

💬 What Are People Saying?

The expat community is buzzing. Many foreigners are concerned because:

Some didn’t even realize they were required to enroll in national systems.
Others assumed that their company automatically handled it.
And a few have unpaid months simply due to frequent job changes or moves.

As one commenter on Reddit put it:

“I always thought my company was paying it — turns out they weren’t, and now I might lose my visa renewal. That’s terrifying.”

The message is clear — Japan wants all residents, including foreigners, to share the responsibility of supporting the system.

💡 What You Can Do Right Now

Don’t panic — you still have time before 2027. Here’s how to get ready:

1️⃣ Check Your Enrollment

Confirm whether you’re properly enrolled in:

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / Kokumin Kenkō Hoken)
National Pension (国民年金 / Kokumin Nenkin)

You can visit your city hall or log into the “ねんきんネット (Nenkin Net)” portal to check your records.

2️⃣ Pay Any Outstanding Amounts

If you find unpaid months, consult your ward office.You may be able to:

Pay in installments
Request an exemption or deferral (for low income or temporary unemployment)

3️⃣ Keep Your Proof

Always keep:

Payment receipts
Enrollment confirmation letters
Any documents showing exemption approval

Immigration might ask for these in future renewals.

4️⃣ Talk to Your Employer

If you’re a company employee, your employer should enroll you in Shakai Hoken (社会保険) — which covers both pension and health insurance.Confirm that deductions are being made correctly every month.

5️⃣ Seek Expert Advice

If you’re unsure about your status, consult a licensed immigration lawyer (行政書士) or social insurance expert.They can help identify missing records and prepare the right documents before your next renewal.

⚠️ Why This Is Serious

Imagine working in Japan for years — only to be denied your next visa because of a few unpaid pension months.That’s exactly what this new rule aims to prevent, but it also means the burden of proof now falls on you.

As NHK World reported, the move is part of Japan’s push for fairness — ensuring everyone who benefits from Japan’s social systems also contributes to them.But for many foreigners, it’s a wake-up call to get their paperwork in order — before it’s too late.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Japan has long been known for its process-driven systems — once a rule is implemented, it’s followed to the letter.That means that from 2027 onward, immigration, pension, and insurance offices will be linked, and late payments could directly affect your visa.

So, if you plan to live or work long-term in Japan, now is the perfect time to:✅ Check your records✅ Clear any unpaid months✅ Keep your documents organized

It’s not just about compliance — it’s about securing your future in Japan.