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.
Showing common documents only
Complete the situation questionnaire to see a personalized document list for your visa type and employment status
See the documents you need (5 questions · 1 min)→Documents needed
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 (the fee ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 at the counter depending on the period of stay granted)
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
For applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the period of stay granted. At the counter (paid by revenue stamp): ¥10,000 for 3 months or less, ¥18,000 for over 3 months up to 6 months, ¥25,000 for over 6 months but under 1 year, ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥48,000 for over 1 year but under 3 years, ¥64,000 for 3 years but under 5 years, and ¥75,000 for 5 years or more. Applications accepted by September 30, 2026 are charged the previous fee of ¥6,000 even if the permission is granted on or after October 1. In either case the fee is paid after approval, not when you apply
Online applications have both different amounts and a different payment method. The fee is ¥10,000 for 3 months or less, ¥15,000 for over 3 months up to 6 months, ¥21,000 for over 6 months but under 1 year, ¥27,000 for 1 year, ¥42,000 for over 1 year but under 3 years, ¥56,000 for 3 years but under 5 years, and ¥65,000 for 5 years or more, plus a payment-processing fee (¥330 under 3 years, ¥550 for 3 years or more). Payment is made by convenience store or bank transfer; revenue stamps cannot be used, and credit card and QR code payments are not accepted
If you meet certain conditions, such as receiving public assistance, the fee is reduced to ¥10,000 regardless of the period of stay. Supporting documents must be submitted, and because the online system does not handle the reduction, the application must be made at a counter. If a Specified Residence Card is issued upon permission and the residence card you hold was issued on or after June 14, 2026, an Immigration Services Agency fee of ¥1,900 (paid by revenue stamp) and a J-LIS fee of ¥600 (¥800 if an electronic certificate is issued) are required in addition to the amounts above. No such fee applies if your residence card was issued by June 13, 2026, or if you already hold a Specified Residence Card
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