Renewing Your Period of Stay in Japan: Timing, Documents and the Special Period

Who this is for

Anyone on a mid- to long-term status, such as Engineer/Specialist, Specified Skilled Worker, Student or Dependent, whose period of stay is ending and who will continue the same activity. If your activity is changing, for example from study to work, you need a change of status instead. Permanent Residents do not renew a period of stay, although they do need to renew the residence card itself.

Requirements

An extension is not automatic. The ISA looks at whether you are still carrying out the activity of your status, whether you still meet its requirements, and at your conduct while in Japan. In practice that includes the points below.

• Continuing the same activity: a job that fits your status, attending school, or living with the family member who supports you
• The employer's or supporter's situation: for work statuses, the employer's stability; for Dependent status, the supporting family member's income
• Public obligations: residence tax paid, and health insurance and pension enrollment and payments
• Reporting duties: moves reported to your city office, and employer changes reported to the ISA within 14 days
• Conduct: compliance with Japanese law, including the limits on part-time work

Step by step

The process is similar for most statuses. What differs is the document list.

• 1. Check the expiry date on your residence card and set a reminder for about three months before it.
• 2. Get the current application form from the ISA site and read the document list for your status.
• 3. Collect documents: employer papers, residence tax certificates from your city office, and anything specific to your status.
• 4. File at the regional immigration bureau for your address, in person or through a registered agent. Online application is available for many cases; individuals generally need a My Number Card to use it.
• 5. When you file at a counter, your residence card is marked to show that an application is in progress. Keep it with you.
• 6. When the result is ready you receive a notice. Bring your passport, residence card and the notice, pay the revenue stamp fee (check the ISA site for the current amount) and receive your new card.

Documents typically requested

The ISA publishes a document list for each status, and for work statuses it also depends on the employer's category. Certificates issued in Japan usually need to be recent, commonly issued within the last three months, so check the instructions before collecting them. The list below shows typical categories only; preparing them does not guarantee approval.

• Application form for extension of period of stay, with a photo in the specified size
• Passport and residence card
• Residence tax certificates from your city office showing taxable income and payment status for the latest year
• Work statuses: a certificate of employment and, depending on the employer's category, company documents
• Dependent status: documents on the supporting family member, such as residence card, certificate of employment and tax certificates, plus proof of the relationship
• Student status: certificates of enrollment and attendance, and transcripts
• Your health insurance card may be requested at the counter

Timing and the special period

For periods of stay of six months or more, you can generally apply from about three months before the expiry date. Applying early leaves time to answer any request for more documents.

You must apply before your period of stay expires. If you applied in time and no decision has been made when the period ends, you can generally stay in Japan under the same status until the decision is made or until two months after the original expiry date, whichever comes first. This is the special period (特例期間). It does not apply to very short periods of stay.

Travelling abroad while an application is pending needs care. Leaving with a re-entry permission during the special period is possible in principle, but you must return before the special period ends. Check with the bureau before booking.

Common pitfalls

If you have had a gap in employment, a tax problem, a separation or divorce while on Dependent status, or any past violation, get individual advice from a certified scrivener or immigration lawyer before filing.

• Filing after the expiry date. Staying on without a pending application is overstaying, a serious violation
• Unpaid residence tax, health insurance or pension, which can lead to a shorter period or a refusal
• A job change that was never reported, or a new job that does not fit the status
• An out-of-date address because a move was not reported to the city office
• Part-time work beyond the permitted hours on Student or Dependent status
• Booking travel around the expiry date without checking re-entry rules
• Treating the renewal as a formality