Leaving Japan for more than a year? Re-entry permits, your period of stay and what to do before you go

Questions about your own situation? Written Answer →
Applying on your own? Document Check →

Which describes you?

• I plan to leave Japan for a year or more → 1, 4
• My period of stay ends while I am away → 2
• I worry about my visa after a long absence → 3
• I am already abroad → 5

1. Special re-entry permit or re-entry permit?

If you leave Japan without either permit, your status of residence ends when you leave. To come back, you would have to start again, usually from a Certificate of Eligibility and a new visa.

Special re-entry permit (minashi sainyukoku)

• How to get it: show your passport and residence card when you leave, and tick the box on the embarkation card for re-entry. No application or fee.
• How long: up to 1 year from departure, or until your period of stay ends, whichever comes first. (Special Permanent Residents: up to 2 years.)
• Extension: not possible from abroad.

Re-entry permit (sainyukoku kyoka)

• How to get it: apply at your immigration office before you leave. A fee applies; see the ISA’s fee page.
• How long: up to 5 years, but not beyond your period of stay. (Special Permanent Residents: up to 6 years.) It can be for a single trip or for multiple trips.
• Extension: possible at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad, by up to 1 year, as long as the total does not go beyond 6 years from the date the permit took effect (7 years for Special Permanent Residents).

If there is any chance that you will stay abroad for a year or more, get a re-entry permit. You can still come back earlier.

2. Your period of stay still sets the limit

Neither permit lets you stay beyond the expiry date of your period of stay. And you cannot apply for an extension from abroad: the applicant must be in Japan, even when a gyoseishoshi files the application.

So if your period of stay will end while you are away, renew it before you leave. You can usually apply from about 3 months before it expires. If you leave while an application is still under review, check with the immigration office first, as different rules apply.

For what happens if your period of stay expires while you are abroad, see our article on returning your residence card.

Permanent residents

Permanent residents have no period of stay, but the same 1-year limit applies to the special re-entry permit, and a status lost abroad is not restored. Your residence card also has its own expiry date. If it will expire while you are away, renew the card before you leave, as this cannot be done from abroad.

3. Will a long absence affect your status?

A valid re-entry permit keeps your status alive, but it does not change what your status requires.

• Activity-based statuses (work, study, Dependent and others): your status can be revoked if you have not carried out the activity of your status for 3 months or more without a legitimate reason (6 months for Highly Skilled Professional (ii)).
• Spouse statuses: the same applies after 6 months or more. A long stay abroad on a re-entry permit because a relative is ill or injured is treated as a legitimate reason.
• At your next extension: you will be asked to explain a long absence, for example business reasons, illness or family circumstances. Keep documents that show the reason.

A legitimate reason is judged case by case. If your job ends while you are abroad, or you stop studying, your situation may also change. For changing jobs, see our article on the 14-day notification.

For questions about your own situation, see our Written Answer.

4. Before you leave: checklist

• Re-entry permit: apply if you may be away for a year or more.
• Period of stay: check the expiry date and renew first if needed.
• Residence card: take it with you. Permanent residents, check the card’s expiry date.
• Passport: make sure it stays valid until you return.
• City office: if you will be away for a year or more, you will usually need to file a moving-out notification. Ask about health insurance and pension at the same time.
• Taxes: resident tax may still be due after you leave. Ask your city office or tax office how to pay, for example through a tax representative.
• Employer or school: confirm in writing how your job or studies will continue.

5. Already abroad?

• Left with a re-entry permit: if you cannot return before it expires, ask a Japanese embassy or consulate about an extension. This does not extend your period of stay.
• Left with a special re-entry permit: it cannot be extended. Return before the 1 year, or your period of stay, ends.
• Already expired: your status has ended. To come back, you usually need a new Certificate of Eligibility and visa.

If you have lost your residence card while abroad, see what to do if you lose your residence card while abroad.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and is not legal advice on any individual case. The information is based on sources available as of November 10, 2026. Laws, guidelines and their application may change without notice. Procedures at city offices and tax offices differ by municipality; check with them directly. TKG Immigration Consulting Office accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information. In case of any difference between our English descriptions and the original Japanese texts, the Japanese texts prevail.