When can I renew my residence card? If I don't renew it, I will be considered an illegal resident!

Hello, this is Kano from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).

For foreigners living in Japan, a residence card is very important.
Because it is proof of eligibility to live in Japan.

The expiration date of your residence card is printed on it.
If you stay in Japan past the expiration date, you will be considered an illegal resident.

This time, we will explain about renewing your residence card.
Please read carefully to avoid staying illegally.

When can I renew my residence card?

To renew your residence card, you must apply for permission to extend your period of stay.

Applications for extension of period of stay must be made before the period of stay expires.
Those with a period of stay of six months or more can apply from about three months before their expiry date.

However, if there are special circumstances such as hospitalization or a long-term business trip, you may be able to apply more than three months in advance.
For more information, please check with your local regional immigration office.

How to renew your residence card

The process for receiving your new residence card is as follows:

1. Gather the necessary documents
2. Submit the documents to the local immigration office in your area.
3. Wait for the results
4. If your renewal is approved, you will be issued a new residence card.

Those who can apply for permission to extend period of stay

The following people can apply for permission to extend their period of stay:

• The applicant himself/herself who wishes to stay in Japan
• Legal representative of the applicant
• Agent

A legal representative is someone who:

• Parental authority
• Guardian of a minor
• Adult guardian

The parent with legal custody is the parent of the applicant who is under the age of 18.
A guardian for a minor is a person who acts as a parent for an applicant under the age of 18.
An adult guardian is someone who assists applicants aged 18 or over with procedures when the applicant has difficulty completing the procedures on his or her own due to illness or other reasons.

An agent is a person who applies for and renews a residence card on behalf of a foreigner.
For example, the person in charge of the company you work for, a lawyer, an administrative scrivener, etc.

If the applicant is under 16 years of age or is unable to apply due to illness or injury, a person deemed appropriate by the head of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, such as a family member or cohabitant, can carry out the procedure on his behalf.

Required documents for applying for extension of period of stay

The following documents are required to apply for a residence permit renewal:

• Residence card
• Valid passport
• Application for permission to extend period of stay
• ID photo

The following conditions must be met for a passport photo:

• Size: 4cm x 3cm
• Period: Photos taken within the last 6 months
• Background: Plain
• How you look: Facing forward, not wearing a hat

The following additional documents may be required:

• Statement of reasons (if there are special circumstances)
• Income and asset documentation (to prove continued employment or education)

The application form is available on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Application for Renewal of Permission for Period of Stay | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Costs for applying for permission to extend period of stay

There are two ways to apply for permission to extend your period of stay:

• At the counter of a regional immigration office
• How to do it online

There is a fee for both methods, but the fee is lower for online applications.

The fee is payable when the renewal is approved.
The fee should be paid in revenue stamps and attached to the designated fee payment slip before submitting it.

*Revenue stamps: These are like stamps that prove that fees have been paid. They can be purchased at post offices, convenience stores, etc.

You can get a fee payment slip from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Application for Renewal of Permission for Period of Stay | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

About online applications

If you have a Individual Number Cards ("My Number Card"), you can renew your residence card online.

The process of receiving a new residence card by applying online is as follows.

1. Register as a user on the online residence application system
2. Apply for a residence card renewal through the online residence application system
3. Wait for the results
4. If your renewal is approved, you will receive an electronic Certificate of Eligibility.
5. Mail your old residence card and the fee payment slip with the revenue stamp attached to the Immigration Bureau in your jurisdiction.
6. Your new residence card will be sent by mail from the Immigration Bureau.

For more information on online applications, please also check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Online Procedures for Applying for Residence | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

What happens if I don't renew my residence card within the expiration date?

If you delay in renewing your residence card, you may lose your residence status.
If you work for a Japanese company, the company may also be punished for "encouraging illegal employment."

The renewal procedure takes approximately two weeks to one month.
When the application period begins, please start the application process as soon as possible.

If your period of stay expires during the application process

If your period of stay expires during the application process, you may be allowed to stay in Japan for a certain period of time as an exception.

The period you can stay in Japan is until the earliest of the following dates:

• Until the application result is released
• Up to two months after the original expiration date

If you lose your residence card

If you lose your residence card, please apply for a reissue.
You must apply for a reissue at your local immigration office within 14 days of realizing that you have lost your residence card.

Summary: Residence card renewal begins about three months before the expiration date. Start the procedure early.

If you delay the renewal process of your residence card, you may lose your status of residence.
Please apply as soon as possible when you can renew.

To renew your residence card, apply for permission to renew your period of stay.

Prepare the necessary documents and submit them to the local immigration office in your area.
Once you are allowed to renew, you will be issued a new residence card.

Those who have a Individual Number Cards ("My Number Card") can also apply online.

About us, JAC

JAC（Japan Association for Construction Human Resources）is an organization that supports all Specified Skilled Workers working in the Japan construction industry. We work with companies that accept Specified Skilled Workers to create a work environment that is easy for everyone to work in.

We're also taking the exams you need to become a Specified Skilled Workers!

And JAC has received many requests for job offers from companies that want Specified Skilled Workers to work for.
Specified Skilled Workers Wanted! Job Listings

For those of you who want to work in Japan using Specified Skills, we are introducing jobs that match your occupation and aspirations!

If you have any problems, please feel free to contact us!