Residence Period Renewal Application (Specified Skilled Worker)
When your Specified Skilled Worker visa is approaching expiry, you must apply to renew your status of residence. Required documents vary by industry — always check the official submission document checklist (Form 1 and Form 3) on the ISA website.
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Steps
Check your residence card expiry date and start preparing 3 months before it expires
Download the submission document checklist from the ISA website and check the Form 3 relevant to your industry: Form 3-1 for industries other than agriculture/fisheries, Form 3-2 for agriculture, Form 3-3 for fisheries
Prepare documents proving the skill level required for Type 2 (e.g., industry-specific skills test certificate — refer to Form 3 checklist)
Download the application form from the Immigration Services Agency website and fill it in
Prepare a photo (4cm high × 3cm wide, no hat, no background, taken within 6 months before applying; write your name on the back)
Bring all documents to your regional immigration office to submit the application (online application also available)
Wait for the result (standard processing time: 2 weeks – 1 month). Once approved, pay the fee and collect your new residence card (¥6,000 at counter / ¥5,500 online)
Important notes
You can apply up to 3 months before expiry. If you apply before the expiry date, you may continue living in Japan during the review period (tokureikikan — valid until the disposition date or 2 months after the expiry date, whichever comes first)
Applying after the expiry date may result in an overstay violation — start the process early
The fee (¥6,000 at counter / ¥5,500 online) is paid after approval, not at the time of application
Required documents vary significantly by industry. Always download the official submission checklist (Form 1 and Form 3) from the ISA website and verify that nothing is missing
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 allows up to 5 years of cumulative stay. Confirm at each renewal that your employment contract and support plan remain valid
Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 has no upper limit on the stay period and counts toward permanent residence eligibility. Check the ISA official page for the list of eligible industries
Online application requires prior user registration on the ISA online system
For a period-of-stay renewal you do not need Table 2 (documents about the employer). You submit Table 1 plus whichever of Tables 3-1 to 3-3 matches your field