How to extend the length of stay
If your residency status is about to expire, you can extend it by applying for a permit to extend or change your residency status. It will take some time for the extension to be approved. So prepare the documents and submit the application early to be on the safe side.
There are two ways to extend your residency status.
There are two procedures for extending your residency status in Japan: “Extension of status of residence” and “Change of status of residence". Apply carefully according to your current situation to avoid illegal employment or overstaying.
The flow of the two procedures is described below.
Application for permission for extension of status of residence
Using a procedure to extend your status, you can extend the length of stay without changing the activities allowed under your current visa. If you have a residence status that enables you to work (work visa), it is common for foreigners to submit documents prepared by their employer.
Acceptance of renewal applications begins 3 months before the current visa expires, and if there are no problems with the documents, the process is completed within 2 weeks to 1 month.
Application for permission for a change of status of residence
Change of residence status is a procedure that allows you to change your residence status due to changes in your profession to an appropriate status in your application. The residence permit grants you a period of stay based on your new eligibility.
It is important to note that you must act immediately if your employment status changes. There are several situations where the procedure is mandatory, such as when you retire, change jobs, or start a new job. The procedure takes about 2 weeks to 1 month, just like the renewal.
Procedure when the length of stay is about to expire
If you continue to work for the same company
If you have a status of residence that allows you to work in Japan and wish to extend it to continue working for the same company, you may apply for a renewal. The required documents are as follows.
▼Documents required to extend your residency status
- Application for extension of residence permit
- Photo (4 x 3 cm) that meets the specified standards
- Residence card and passport
- Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the previously issued residence status (if issued)
- Certificate of taxation of residence/tax payment certificate (for one year)
- Documents corresponding to the content of the activities in Japan (depending on the type of qualification)
If you start working for another company
If you want to work for another company, you can apply for permission to extend your status of residence if the type of work, industry, business content, etc. remain the same. If any of these change, you must change your residency status once you are accepted for the job.
① If the content of the job (job description, etc.) remains the same after changing jobs
Prepare an application for permission to extend your residency status and obtain a “certificate of employment" with a new job description. If you do not submit an application, it will be assumed that you have not properly reported the job change and you risk being rejected in the renewal process.
② If the content of your activities in Japan changes due to a job change
To change your residency status due to a change in occupation, you must prepare the following documents. They are almost identical to those required for an extension, but since the examiner will have to recheck your eligibility, pay special attention to the documents related to your new job description.
▼Required documents for residence permit renewal
- Application for residence permit renewal
- Photo (4 x 3 cm that meets the specified standards)
- Residence card and passport
- Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the previously issued residence status (if issued)
- Certificate of taxation of residence/ tax payment certificate (for one year)
- Materials corresponding to the content of the activities in Japan (depending on the type of qualification)
For “short-term stay" status
Extensions/changes to “short-term residency status" of 90 days or less are not allowed unless there are unavoidable circumstances, such as treatment for illness. Changing to a residency status (engineering, humanities, international affairs, etc.) that allows you to work is generally not allowed for this type of residency. You must apply for a new residency status once you have left Japan.
However, it is possible to change some short-term residence statuses:
- Spouse of a Japanese citizen, permanent resident spouse, etc.
- Designated activities (if your family in Japan supports you, etc.).
Conclusion │ Status of residence should be renewed/changed as soon as possible
If your residency status is about to expire, you should renew or change it as soon as possible. If it expires during the process, you will need to leave your job or residence and return to your country.
If it is inconvenient for you to keep renewing your visa, you should consider applying for a “permanent resident" visa without residency restrictions or apply for naturalization.