Leave Japan and come back (再入国)
For you if: you will leave Japan for a while and come back with the same status.
- Back within 1 year: use special re-entry. No application needed. Bring your residence card and passport. Come back before your period of stay ends, too.
- When you leave, fill in the re-entry ED card and show it with your passport.
- Away for more than 1 year: apply for a re-entry permit before you leave.
More details
Special re-entry (みなし再入国). You must come back within 1 year, or before your period of stay ends, whichever is earlier. If you do not come back in time, you lose your status of residence. This period cannot be extended from abroad.
Re-entry permit (再入国許可). Valid up to 5 years, or until your period of stay ends, whichever is earlier. Apply at a Regional Immigration Services Office.
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
再入国許可について聞きたいです。
This card says: “I want to ask about re-entry permission.”
Official information
- Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (English), Chapter 1, 3 (p.8-9)Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens an English website
- Re-entry permissionImmigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens a Japanese 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