Extension of period of stay and change of status of residence

Extension of period of stay

If you wish to extend your permitted term of residence, you must apply for an extension of stay at a Regional Immigration Services 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 of your permitted term of residence. Make sure to apply well in advance since Regional Immigration Services Bureaus are very busy – especially in March, April, September, and October. After you submit the application form to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, a notice is sent to you in about 2 to 4 weeks. Visit the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with the notice, your passport and residence card, to receive your new residence card with the new expiration date.

＜Required Documents＞
*For the application form and other required documents, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency website.
*Please ask the administrative staff at your department of UOsaka to complete the "For organization" of the application form.
*The Immigration Bureau may require additional documents for the application.

*Application fee (revenue stamp): ¥6,000 in person/ ¥5,500 online.
Revenue stamps can be purchased at Immigration Bureau shops, post offices, or convenience stores that sell stamps.

■ Student

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. Certificate of Enrollment
5. Other required documents
   Ex) New scholarship certificate, transcript, and graduation certificate (certificates related to all educational institutions attended since the most recent application for residence status), etc.

Download Application for Extension of Period of Stay (PDF/Excel)

■ Professor

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm taken, within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. [In case of non-regular worker ]
   A residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and a tax payment certificate
   *Both certificates are issued by the local municipality.
   *If the certificate states both annual total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes have been paid), either one is fine.

Download Application for Extension of Period of Stay (PDF/Excel)

■ Cultural Activities

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence 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 in Japan, such as Bank Balance Certificate and Certificate of Scholarship Recipient

Download Application for Extension of Period of Stay (PDF/Excel)

■ Dependent

Applicant：Spouse or children of international students and researchers
Supporter：International student, international researcher

1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. Official documents certifying your family relationship between the applicant and the supporter
   Ex) Spouse: a marriage certificate/ Child: birth certificate
   *Certificates issued in languages other than Japanese or English must be accompanied by a simple Japanese or English translation.
5. A photocopy of supporter's passport or residence card (both sides)
6. Documents certifying the occupation and income of the supporter
   
   [If the supporter’s residence status is "professor" or similar with income in Japan]
   Certificate of Employment and documents verifying income of the supporter
   A residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and a tax payment certificate
   * Both certificates are issued by the local municipality.
   *If the certificate states both annual total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes have been paid), either one is fine.
   
   [If the supporter’s residence status is "Student" or "Cultural Activities", etc. with no income in Japan]
   Certificate of enrollment (certificate of student status) and documents certifying that you can defray all expenses incurred during the stay in Japan, such as bank statement and scholarship award letter in the name of the supporter

Download Application for Extension of Period of Stay (PDF/Excel)

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, to receive your new residence card with the new expiration date.

＜Required Documents＞
*For the application form and other required documents, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency website.
*Please ask the administrative staff at the organization you will be affiliated with to complete the "For organization" of the application form.
*The Immigration Bureau may require additional documents for the application.

*Application fee (revenue stamp): ¥6,000 in person/ ¥5,500 online.
Revenue stamps can be purchased at Immigration Bureau shops, post offices, or convenience stores that sell stamps.

■ Student

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. Documents related to activities corresponding to the status of residence at the time of application
5. Other required Documents
   Ex) Research Students: Certificate of Research Activities; Auditors: Documents verifying audited courses and hours attended, etc.

Download Application for Change of Status of Residence (PDF/Excel)

■ Professor

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. A set of documents that certify your status, employment period, content of your research activities, and amount of salary at UOsaka, such as employment offer letter issued under the name of dean of your organization.
   *Please prepare early and complete the application procedures to ensure you receive permission to change your status of residence by your start date.

Download Application for Change of Status of Residence (PDF/Excel)

■ Cultural Activities

1. Application for Change of Status of Residence
2. ID Photo (4cm×3cm, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. A letter of invitation or acceptance, describing the status of your residence, the period of your stay, and details of your research, issued by the director of the host organization.
5. CV (must include academic achievements, such as published papers, awards, selections etc.)
6. Documents certifying that you can cover all expenses incurred during the stay in Japan, such as Bank Balance Certificate and Certificate of Scholarship recipient

Download Application for Change of Status of Residence (PDF/Excel)

■ Designated Activities (for doing job hunting in Japan after graduation)

If international students who have a student status of residence wish to continue job search after graduating from a university in Japan, they need to change their residence status from "Student" to "Designated Activities." Extension is admitted only once, and the period of stay is six months.

*After graduation, the student cannot continue to stay in Japan on the same Student resident status. Please return to your country or 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, taken within the last 6 months of application)
3. Passport, Residence Card
4. Documents certifying that you can cover all expenses incurred during the stay in Japan, such as Bank Balance Certificate
5. A diploma or a graduation certificate of the last school attended
6. *A letter of recommendation from the last school attended for your continuous job hunting
   *Please ask the educational affairs of your graduate school or research institution to prepare it for you.
7. Proof of your work search activities as required.

Download Application for Change of Status of Residence (PDF/Excel)

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

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

■ Temporary Visitor (Short-Term Stay)

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 within Japan 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
3. A statement of reasons for change of your status to "Temporary Visitor" (Free format)
4. Documents that prove that you have secured the necessary means of transportation to depart Japan (such as flight tickets), to be submitted upon request

Download Application for Change of Status of Residence (PDF/Excel)

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