If you are in Japan on a work, study, spousal, or other limited-period visa, your right to stay has an expiry date. When that date approaches, you need to file an extension of period of stay application (在留期間更新許可申請, zairyu kikan koshin kyoka shinsei) at your local immigration bureau. This guide walks you through the process from start to finish. Japanese terms used throughout this guide are listed in the keyword guide at the bottom.
2026 update: new combined residence card
Renewal fees may increase from October 1, 2026
When to start your application
If your current period of stay (在留期間, zairyu kikan) is six months or longer, the immigration bureau accepts applications starting approximately three months before your expiry date. If you have less than six months on your current visa, apply as soon as possible before it expires. Applications submitted more than three months early are generally not accepted unless you have a documented reason.
Do not wait until the last few weeks. If your visa expires before you apply, you lose your legal right to stay. Aim to submit your application two to three months before the expiry date printed on your residence card (在留カード, zairyu kaado).
Timing tips
Where and how to apply
Submit your application at the regional immigration bureau (地方出入国在留管理官署, chihou nyukoku zairyu kanri kansho) that covers your registered address. Tokyo residents may apply at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Shinagawa. Find the office for your area using the ISA regional office locator.
You can also apply online via the ISA online application portal. The online fee is slightly lower (currently ¥5,500 vs. ¥6,000 in person), but not all visa categories qualify. Even with an online application, you will need to visit the bureau in person to collect your new residence card once the application is approved.
If you cannot attend in person due to illness or another documented reason, an authorized representative can submit on your behalf. Your employer’s HR staff, your school’s student affairs office, or a registered immigration lawyer (行政書士 or 弁護士) can act as your representative. Being busy with work does not qualify as a valid reason to send someone else — if you are healthy, you are expected to attend in person.
What to bring
The exact document list depends on your residence status (visa category). The items below apply to most applicants. Check the ISA application page for the full requirements for your specific visa type.
- Application form: use the form for your specific visa category. Download from the ISA website or pick one up at the immigration bureau on the day.
- Passport: your current valid passport.
- Residence card: your current card, even if it is close to expiry.
- Photo: 3cm × 4cm, taken within the last three months. Not required if your residence card already has an IC chip with facial recognition data stored on it.
- Activity documents: proof that you are still doing what your visa allows. For work visas: an employment certificate and recent tax or earnings records. For student visas: a current enrollment certificate and most recent grades. For spousal visas: your spouse’s documents and proof of ongoing relationship.
About the fee
What happens after you apply
Processing takes two weeks to one month. It can take longer during peak periods, particularly around the April fiscal year change. You will receive a postcard at your registered address when a decision is ready. Take the postcard back to the immigration bureau to collect your new residence card.
If your current period of stay expires while your application is still being processed, you are protected by the special period (特例期間, tokurei kikan). This allows you to stay legally in Japan for up to two months after your original expiry date, or until a decision is made — whichever comes first. Keep your passport and your application submission receipt with you at all times during this period.
After approval: one more step at the ward office
Once you have your new residence card, visit your ward office before your next medical appointment or government service login.
If you hold a My Number card (マイナンバーカード, mainanbaa kaado) and your visa is for a limited period (one, three, or five years), your My Number card expires at the same time as your period of stay. After every visa renewal, you must bring your My Number card to the ward office so staff can update the validity date. If you skip this, the card expires and can no longer be used at medical facilities as a health insurance card or for online government services.
Combine this visit with any other ward office tasks: if you have moved since your last renewal, report your new address at the same time. If your My Number card’s electronic certificate is close to its five-year expiry, renew that too at the same visit.
Common questions
Can I stay in Japan while my application is being processed?
Yes, as long as you filed before your period of stay expired. Under the special period rules, you can remain in Japan legally for up to two months after your original expiry date, or until your application is decided — whichever comes first. Carry your passport and your application receipt with you during this time as proof that your renewal is pending.
Can I still work while my renewal is pending?
Yes, if your current visa permits work. The special period preserves the conditions of your existing status. If you hold a work-eligible visa, you can continue working. If your visa does not permit work, that restriction remains in place during the pending period as well.
How long does the renewal process take?
The standard processing time is two weeks to one month. Timelines vary and can run longer during busy periods. Filing your application two to three months before your expiry date gives you a comfortable buffer even if processing takes longer than expected.
What if my renewal application is rejected?
You will receive a written notice explaining the decision. You will have a limited period to leave Japan or take further action. Consult a licensed immigration lawyer (行政書士 or 弁護士) as quickly as possible to assess your options. Acting fast is important, as the window for an appeal or reconsideration is short.
Do I need to renew if I have permanent residency?
No. Permanent residents do not have a period of stay to renew. Your right to remain in Japan is indefinite. You do, however, need to renew your residence card itself every ten years. Permanent residents are also not affected by the My Number card validity date issue described above — their card runs for the standard ten years.
Japanese terms in this guide
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 在留期間更新許可申請 | zairyu kikan koshin kyoka shinsei | Extension of period of stay application. The formal name of the renewal process covered in this guide. |
| 在留期間 | zairyu kikan | Period of stay. The duration you are permitted to remain in Japan under your current residence status. Printed on your residence card. |
| 在留カード | zairyu kaado | Residence card. The physical card you are required to carry at all times as a foreign resident in Japan. |
| 特定在留カード | tokutei zairyu kaado | Specified Residence Card. New from June 14, 2026 — combines the residence card and My Number card into a single IC chip card. Voluntary; existing cards remain valid. |
| 地方出入国在留管理官署 | chihou nyukoku zairyu kanri kansho | Regional immigration bureau. The government office where you submit your renewal application. Location depends on your registered address. |
| 特例期間 | tokurei kikan | Special period. A grace period that allows you to stay legally in Japan after your visa expires, provided you filed a renewal application before the expiry date. Lasts up to two months or until a decision is made. |
| 収入印紙 | shuunyuu inshi | Revenue stamp. How immigration fees are paid in Japan. Stamps are purchased at the immigration bureau or post office and affixed to the fee payment slip. |
| マイナンバーカード | mainanbaa kaado | My Number card. Japan’s national ID card, linked to your individual tax and social insurance number. For limited-period visa holders, the card expires with your period of stay and must be updated at the ward office after each renewal. |
Sources
- ISA — 在留期間更新許可申請 (Extension of Period of Stay) — Official application procedure, required documents, fees, and processing details (Japanese only — content verified July 2026)
- ISA — Online residence application portal — Details on online filing eligibility and process (Japanese only)
- ISA — Regional immigration bureau locator — Find the office with jurisdiction over your registered address (Japanese only)
- ISA — Specified Residence Card information — Details on the new combined card launching June 14, 2026 (Japanese only)
Last verified: July 2026. Immigration fees may change from October 1, 2026 — this guide will be updated once the cabinet ordinance is finalized. Always confirm current requirements with the ISA or the Foreign Residents Information Center (0570-013904) before your visit.
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