Re-entry & Extensions Guide
Understand how to maintain your student status, extend your stay, handle temporary travel outside Japan, and bring dependents.
Temporary Exit from Japan & Re-entry Permits
If you plan to return to your home country temporarily or visit another country for a short period, you must ensure you have proper re-entry permission to avoid losing your student status.
Special Re-entry Permit (Deemed Re-entry)
If you are in possession of a valid passport and residence card and will be returning to Japan within one year of departure (or before your expiration period of stay, if that period is within one year), you do not need to apply for a re-entry permit at a regional immigration services bureau before leaving Japan.
When you leave Japan, be sure to present your residence card and tick the column on an ED Card for Special Re-entry Permit.
Standard Re-entry Permit (> 1 year)
If you will be outside of Japan for more than one year (but before your authorized period of stay expires), you must apply for a standard re-entry permit at a regional immigration services bureau prior to leaving.
Extension of Period of Stay
To stay beyond the period of authorized stay granted to you, you must file for an extension of stay at a regional immigration services bureau in Japan before your current period expires.
- Applications can usually be filed three months before expiration.
- Staying past the authorized period without filing can result in serious penalties, legal prosecution, or deportation.
Warning: Forgetting to extend your stay and residing illegally can result in immediate expulsion from your school and loss of all scholarships.
Changing & Revocation of Residence
When the primary activity (study) is discontinued, you must immediately change your status of residence to a different type (such as employment) in order to engage in other activities.
Status Revocation Risks
Status of residence will be revoked if a student reports falsely on their activities/history, submits false documents, or is working every day without going to school (unless with valid reasons).
Bringing Dependents to Japan
Dependent spouses and children of international students studying in Japanese universities can reside in Japan under the status of residence of "Dependent", matching the student's authorized period of stay.
Recommended Setup
It is highly recommended that international students bring their dependents only after they have settled down in Japan, become familiar with life, and have established a stable economic foundation.
Tourist Visa Transition Warning
Take note that it will be extremely difficult for dependents to obtain the official "Dependent" status of residence in Japan if their initial entry into the country was made as a "Temporary Visitor" (commonly referred to as a tourist visa).