Residence Period Renewal Application
When your residence card is approaching its expiry date, you must apply to renew your status of residence. For the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa, gather the required documents and submit them to the immigration authority.
Showing common documents only
Complete the situation questionnaire to see a personalized document list for your visa type and employment status
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Steps
Check your residence card expiry date and start preparing 3 months before it expires
Obtain a municipal tax certificate from your local city / ward office
Prepare documents proving your employer's category qualification (varies by category — check the official guidelines or your employer)
Request an employment certificate, company registration certificate, and financial statements for the preceding fiscal year from your employer
Prepare a copy of your tax return and business mandate contracts / performance records
Download the application form from the Immigration Services Agency website and fill it in
Prepare a passport-style photo (4cm × 3cm, white background, taken within 6 months before application)
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; actual time varies by office and congestion). Once you receive the approval notice, pay the fee and collect your new residence card (¥6,000 at the 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 the counter / ¥5,500 online) is paid after approval, not at the time of application
Online application requires prior user registration on the ISA online system
A Juminhyo (resident certificate) is not on the standard submission list, but some regional immigration offices may request it — having one ready is advisable