2026-05-29

For foreign nationals aiming to become permanent residents or naturalized citizens in Japan, as well as for the Japanese companies that employ them, the procedures for a “temporary return to home country” are extremely important. This article explains the necessary procedures and points to note when returning to your home country temporarily while applying for or after obtaining a “Permanent Resident Visa.”

Essential Points to Know About Temporary Returns Home While Your Permanent Resident Visa Application Is Pending

To ensure your application for a permanent resident visa (Permanent Resident status) is not denied, you must exercise extreme caution regarding “temporary returns home” while your application is pending.

First, leaving Japan for an extended period during the screening process may lead to the conclusion that you “do not have a basis of life in Japan,” which could negatively impact your application. If a temporary return to your home country is absolutely necessary, you must check the expiration date of your “Deemed Re-entry Permit” before leaving the country. If your absence will be for an extended period, you must obtain a “Re-entry Permit.”

Additionally, during the screening process, you may receive requests for additional documents or written inquiries from the Immigration Bureau. Failure to respond to these by the deadline can, in itself, be grounds for denial. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you limit temporary returns to Japan while your application is pending to the absolute minimum necessary and establish a system to ensure that mail from government offices is reliably checked during your absence (such as through a trusted friend, an administrative scrivener, or a company representative).

Temporary Returns to Japan “After Obtaining” a Permanent Resident Visa and Blind Spots When Considering Naturalization

Even after obtaining a permanent resident visa, failure to comply with the rules regarding temporary returns to Japan may result in the revocation of your status of residence.

When a permanent resident leaves Japan, if they are relying on the standard “deemed re-entry permit,” they must return to Japan within one year of departure (or by the expiration date of their residence status). Staying abroad beyond this period will result in the loss of your hard-earned permanent residency. Therefore, for overseas assignments or extended visits home, you must always obtain a “Re-entry Permit” (valid for up to five years) in advance.

Furthermore, if you are considering “naturalization” in Japan in the future, the “duration” of temporary returns can be a major blind spot. One of the conditions for naturalization is “having continuously maintained a residence in Japan for at least five years.” If a single trip abroad lasts three months or longer, or if you are away from Japan for a total of approximately 150 days in a year, there is a high probability that your accumulated years of residence will be reset. Managing the number of days spent abroad with future plans in mind is essential.

Risks Associated with Employees’ Temporary Returns Home That Japanese Companies Hiring Foreign Nationals Should Be Aware Of

For Japanese companies employing foreign nationals, knowledge regarding their permanent residency visa applications and temporary returns home is essential for preventing problems.

For example, if a talented foreign employee requests, “I am currently applying for a permanent residency visa, so I would like to refrain from overseas business trips or long-term visits home for a while,” the company must take steps to ensure that this does not disrupt business operations. Furthermore, if an employee takes a long-term temporary return home without the company’s knowledge and loses their permanent residency by letting the deemed re-entry period expire, the company will suffer significant losses—such as being unable to allow the employee to continue working to avoid the risk of illegal employment.

It is extremely important for HR to not only track the expiration dates of employees’ residence cards but also to understand and manage whether re-entry procedures are required for long-term overseas travel. This is crucial for ensuring corporate compliance and protecting valuable talent. Regular consultations and the establishment of internal policies are essential.

Summary

Temporary returns to one’s home country while applying for or after obtaining a permanent resident visa involve risks that cannot be overlooked, such as the need for re-entry permit procedures and the management of the duration of stay. It is crucial not only for foreign nationals themselves but also for the Japanese companies that employ them to correctly understand these systems and manage schedules and procedures appropriately, as this leads to a stable life in Japan and business success.