Extend your period of stay (在留期間の更新)
For you if: you want to stay longer and keep doing the same activity.
- Apply at a Regional Immigration Services Office before your period of stay ends.
- If your period of stay is 6 months or more, you can apply from 3 months before it ends.
- There is a fee. The amount changed on October 1, 2026. Check the official page.
More details
What you usually need. Passport. Residence card. A photo (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within 6 months; not needed under age 1). The application form. Papers about your planned activity. The papers differ by status of residence. Check the official page.
Questions about your status: call the Immigration Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター), 0570-013904. Weekdays 8:30 to 17:15. It answers general questions.
This page gives general information only. For your own case, ask the Immigration Information Center or a licensed professional (行政書士 or 弁護士).
At the end, check at the counter. You can show this card.
窓口の方へ
在留期間の更新をしたいです。
This card says: “I want to extend my period of stay.”
Official information
- Application for extension of period of stayImmigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens a Japanese website
- Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (English), Chapter 1, 2-1 (p.4)Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens an English website
- Immigration Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター)Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens a Japanese website