Extending Period of Stay

Extension of period of stay and change of status of residence

If you wish to extend your permitted term of residence, you must apply for an extension at the immigration office prior to your expiration date. You need to apply for an extension of stay to the Regional Immigration Bureau before the expiration of the permitted period of stay by submitting the application form and other necessary documents. If you fail to apply for an extension of stay prior to the expiration date, you will be considered an illegal resident.

You may apply for extension of period of stay from 3 months prior to the expiration date. Make sure to apply well in advance since the immigration office is very busy – especially in March, April, September, and October. After you submit the application form to the Regional Immigration Bureau, a notice is sent to you in about 2 weeks. Visit the Regional Immigration Bureau with the notice, your passport and residence card (or Alien Registration Card), and a fee to receive your new residence card with the new expiration date.

＜Required Documents＞
*The application form is available at the Immigration Bureau, or it can be downloaded from the Immigration Services Agency website.

Application for Extension of Period of Stay

*Ask your organization for making the application form for the organization.

*The Immigration Bureau may require other certificates and/or additional documents for the application.

■ Student

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application form
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. Required documents

■ Professor

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application form
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. [In case of non-regular worker ]
   A copy of residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and a copy of tax payment certificate
   *Both certificates are issued by the local municipality.
   *One copy of each containing annual gross income and tax payment status; however, if the certificate states both annual total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes have been paid), either one is fine.

■ Cultural Activities

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. A letter of invitation or acceptance of you, describing the status of residence, the period of stay, and details of research, issued by the director of the host organization.
5. Documents certifying that you can defray all expenses incurred during the stay, such as Bank Balance Certificate and Certificate of Scholarship Recipient.

■ Dependent (family stays)

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. Official documents certifying your relationship with your dependent, such as a copy of marriage and birth certificate.
5. A photocopy of dependent's passport and residence card (or Alien Registration Card) (both sides)
6. [When the supporter has an income in Japan ]
   Documents certifying the occupation and income of the supporter
   A copy of residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and a copy of tax payment certificate
   * Both certificates are issued by the local municipality.
   * One copy of each containing annual gross income and tax payment status; however, if the certificate states both annual total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes have been paid), either one is fine.
   
   [When the supporter is an international student or researcher who has no income in Japan ] Documents certifying that you can defray all expenses incurred during the stay, such as Bank Balance Certificate and Certificate of Scholarship Recipient

Change of Status of Residence

If you want to change the purpose of residence currently authorized, you have to apply for permission to change the status of residence at a Regional Immigration Bureau. Note that not all applications will be approved.

Visit the Regional Immigration Bureau with the notice, your passport and residence card (or Alien Registration Card), and a fee to receive your new residence card with the new expiration date.

＜ Required Documents ＞

*The application form is available at the Immigration Bureau, or it can be downloaded from the Immigration Services Agency website.
*Ask your organization for making the application form for the organization.
*The Immigration Bureau may require other certificates and/or additional documents for the application.

■ Student

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. Required Documents

■ Professor

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. Documents that certify your status, employment period, content of your research activities, and amount of salary at UOsaka, such as a Certificate of employment issued under the name of dean of your organization.

■ Cultural Activities

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm) Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. A letter of invitation or acceptance of you, describing the status of residence, the period of stay, and details of your research, issued by the director of the host organization.
5. Documents certifying that you can defray all expenses incurred during the stay, such as Bank Balance Certificate and Certificate of Scholarship recipient

■ Designated Activities (for job hunting)

If international students who have a student status of residence want to continue job search after graduating from UOsaka, they need to change their visa status from "Student" to "Designated Activities." Extension is admitted only once.

*After graduation, the student cannot continue to stay on a Student visa, so change the status of residence immediately.

*If you leave Japan before applying for change of status of residence, you cannot change to the Designated Activities status of residence.

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
   *Three application forms for the applicant are required. The application form for the organization is not necessary.
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm), Attach on the application
3. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
4. Documents certifying that you can defray all expenses incurred during the stay, such as Bank Balance Certificate
5. Diploma or a graduation certificate of the last school attended
   A letter of recommendation from the last school attended
6. A letter of recommendation from the last school for your continuous job hunting
   Format of the letter of recommendation
   *You can get a letter of recommendation from the last school until a year after graduation
7. Proof of your work search activities.

< Changing your status of residence due to employment in Japan >

You need to confirm a type of status of residence with your employer.

■ Temporary Visitor

If your period of stay expires before your contract finishes, if you plan to stay in Japan for a while to prepare to return to your country, or if you want to travel before returning to your country, you should change your status of residence to "Temporary Visitor."

If you are granted “Temporary Visitor” status of residence, you have to return your residence card.

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. Passport, Residence Card (or Alien Registration Card)
3. A statement of reasons for change of your status to "Temporary Visitor" (Free format)
4. Document which shows that they plan to leave Japan, such as an air ticket.

＜When you change your status of residence due to employment in Japan＞
You need to confirm a type of status of residence after becoming employed.

*When you want to change your status of residence from "Temporary Visitor" to other status of residence

It is not allowed to change from the temporary visitor visa to another type of visa unless there is an exceptional reason.