Foreign residents who have spent years working toward permanent residency in Japan say the government’s proposed new requirements have left them angry, anxious and unable to plan for the future, with some reconsidering whether they can remain in the country at all.

The changes, which could affect income assessments for applications submitted as early as April, have been particularly unsettling for residents approaching the end of the standard 10-year pathway to permanent residency.

“Many like myself have been diligently working based on the current rules, but are now suddenly feeling derailed from that trajectory,” said Leshe Scott, who lives in the city of Kasai, Hyogo Prefecture.