最終更新日 2023-02-16
Is the expiration date of your visa approaching? Bear in mind that a grant for visa extension is not given automatically, and an extension application undergoes a rigorous examination process. This post will provide you with an overview of Japan’s visa (or status of residence) extension procedure.
- What is an extension of the period of stay?
- When, where, and who?
- How much and how long?
- Grounds for granting extensions
- Necessary documents
- At the time of grant
- In case of rejection
What is an extension of the period of stay?
If a foreign national staying in Japan under a certain status of residence wishes to remain in Japan after the original period expires, an application for permission to extend the period of stay must be filed before the expiration of the original period of stay. This type of application should be made when the activities that the foreign national engages in or will be engaged in within Japan are the same.
The Minister of Justice may grant permission only when there are reasonable grounds to do so. According to the statistics for the year 2018, 603,043 cases were granted permission, and 4,034 cases were rejected. In 2019, 743,254 cases were granted permission, and 3,136 cases were rejected. Every year, a certain number of extension applications are rejected.
When, where, and who?
You can apply for an extension of the period of stay roughly after three months before the expiration date of the original period of stay. If you have been given three months or less, you can apply roughly after half of the period passes.
You must file the application with the Regional Immigration Bureau (Immigration Office) or its branch office in your region. You can personally submit the application or have a lawful representative or an agent with special permission submit it for you.
How much and how long?
A revenue stamp of 4,000 yen will be incurred upon the grant of permission. In addition, professional fees will also be paid if you use a professional agent.
It usually takes about two weeks to one month before you receive a decision from the Immigration Office. You should start preparing well ahead of the three-month acceptance period and apply as soon as possible to hopefully receive a grant decision within your original period of stay.
Grounds for granting extensions
As mentioned above, permissions for extension are granted only when the Minister of Justice finds reasonable grounds to do so.
The factors to be considered to decide whether there are reasonable grounds are explained in the published guidelines.
To sum up, it is required that the activities that the foreign national engages in or will engage in Japan correspond to those permitted under the given residence status. In addition, the foreign national is expected to engage in the approved activities during the allowed period of stay stably and continuously. The foreign national’s activities and residency situation from the entry into Japan to the present are also considered.
The following requirements are cited in the guidelines:
- The foreign national must have good behavior.
- The foreign national has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living.
- Proper employment and working conditions must be met.
- Tax obligations must be fulfilled.
- Obligations provided by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, including notification obligations, must be fulfilled.
Even if some of the above requirements are not perfectly met, you must refrain from attempting to hide adverse facts or making false statements in the application documents.
You should carefully consider in advance how to deal with such drawbacks, e.g., submitting a declaration admitting your wrongdoing and promising never to commit the same mistake again or a document explaining why it occurred and how you will improve the situation.
Necessary documents
Necessary documents are listed on the website of the Immigration Office.
Regarding supporting documents corresponding to each residence status, please refer to the webpage titled “Materials to be submitted according to the status of residence (application for extension of the period of stay).“
Only some of the necessary documents are covered in the English translation of the official websites. If you would like more details, please feel free to contact me.
At the time of grant
If your application is allowed, a notification will be sent to you (or your agent) by post.
You (or your agent) will appear at the counter of the Regional Immigration Bureau or its branch office, bringing with you the notification, your passport, your residence card (assuming that you are a mid or long-term resident), the official receipt of your application given to you at the time of applying, and a revenue stamp of 4,000 yen pasted on the prescribed form.
You will then be given a new residence card showing the status of residence and a newly granted period of stay.
In case of rejection
If your application is likely to be rejected, a written order to appear, typically enclosed in an envelope, will be sent to you (or your representative).
When you (or your representative) appear at the Regional Immigration Bureau or its branch office, you will receive a notification of rejection of your application for extension. You also have a chance to ask for a detailed explanation of the reasons for rejection, which is very important in deciding how to proceed further.
Depending on the reasons for rejection, and if there is an excellent chance of success and you still have some time before the expiration of your original period of stay, consider re-filing the extension application by supplementing supporting materials.
Otherwise, you will be invited by the Immigration Bureau official to change your current status of residence to Designated Activities to prepare for leaving Japan.
Depending on the specific situation, there may be other options worth considering. The above is a typical flow in the case of rejection.