A Simple Residence Card Renewal Japan Guide For Foreigners

Any foreign national with a residence card in Japan knows that they don't last forever. There is an expiration date.

We created this guide to help you prepare for your residence card renewal in Japan. 

When can I renew my Japanese residence card?

The earliest you can renew your Japanese residence card depends on your current residence status. 

The residence renewal application is as follows:

• Permanent resident → 2 months before the expiration date

• Persons residing with other residence status → 3 months before the expiration date

For those under 16 years old, your residence card is valid until your 16th birthday or until the expiration date of your period of stay, whichever comes first. If it's the former, you can renew your residence card 6 months before you turn 16.

Be aware, if a residence card expires, the holder may face penalties for illegal stay if they do not renew it in time.

Important clarification: what “residence card renewal” means in Japan

In Japan, you normally do not renew the residence card itself.

When people say “residence card renewal,” they usually mean applying for either:

• an Extension of Period of Stay, or

• a Change of Status of Residence.

Once your application is approved, a new residence card is issued with a new period of stay.

Throughout this guide, “residence card renewal” refers to these official procedures.

👉 Read also: Visa Renewal Japan 2026: Fees, New October Fee Table & How to Apply

Who processes residence card renewal applications in Japan?

Applications for residence card renewal (officially, an Extension of Period of Stay or a Change of Status of Residence) are handled by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, which operates under the Ministry of Justice.

You must submit your application at the regional immigration office that has jurisdiction over your registered address in Japan.

In other words, you cannot apply at any immigration office—you must use the office responsible for your place of residence.

How much does residence card renewal cost?

The Immigration Services Agency charges a fee when your application is approved. You pay this fee with a revenue stamp, not cash at the counter.

Current fees, effective April 1, 2025:

Application type	Fee when applying in person	Fee when applying online
Extension of Period of Stay (renewal)	¥6,000	¥5,500
Change of Status of Residence	¥6,000	¥5,500
Permanent Residence application	¥10,000	— (online not available)

One important exception: if the immigration bureau received your application by March 31, 2025, you still pay the old fee. That's ¥4,000 for an extension or status change, or ¥8,000 for permanent residence, even if approval happens later.

What "applying online" actually requires:

• A smartphone that can read your current residence card's IC chip.

• An account on the Immigration Services Agency's online application system.

• A visit to the immigration office anyway, since you still pick up your new card in person.

Applying online only skips the first visit. You submit your documents digitally, but you still enter the immigration bureau once to collect your finished card.

Where to buy your revenue stamp:

• Post offices sell every denomination you'll need.

• Some legal offices sell them too.

• Convenience stores often don't carry the right denominations.

A much larger fee increase is coming. Japan passed a law in May 2026 raising the cap on these fees significantly, potentially to ¥30,000-40,000 for renewals and roughly ¥200,000 for permanent residence.

Nothing has taken effect yet, and the exact amount and date aren't finalized. See our full breakdown of the new fee table for the latest confirmed details.

How to renew your residence card in Japan

1. Know when your residence card expires.

⑨ and ⑩ shows a Japanese residence card's expiration date. 

The front of your residence card, near the middle, will show the period and the expiration date. 

In the example above, the period of stay is 4 years and 3 months, with the expiration date being October 20th, 2018.

You can renew your Japanese residence card up to 3 months before it expires.

A card design change took effect in June 2026. Any new residence card issued after June 14, 2026 uses a new design.

Your current card stays valid until its printed expiration date. You don't need to swap it early.

What changes with the new residence card design

The new card includes stronger anti-counterfeiting features. Some details also move off the printed card face.

What's different:

• Your period of stay no longer prints on the card.

• This detail now lives only in the card's IC chip.

• Immigration officers scan the chip to confirm your status and expiration date.

A new optional card also exists. The Specified Residence Card combines your residence card and My Number card into one card. You can request this option during your renewal application, but it's entirely optional.

👉 Find out more about The Specified Residence Card

2. Prepare the necessary documents.

The most basic documents you need to renew your residence card in Japan are:

• Renewal of residence card validity period application form

• 1 photo of yourself (4 cm x 3 cm)

• Passport or Certificate of Residence (住民票, juminhyo)

• Your current residence card

• Revenue stamp (収入印紙, shunyu inshi): this stamp is a fee when you renew a residence card. See the cost breakdown above for exact amounts.

Where to get the application form

You can download the application form directly from the Immigration Services Agency's Japan website. Pick the form that matches your situation, either Extension of Period of Stay or Change of Status of Residence.

Your local immigration office also keeps paper copies on hand. Ask staff at the counter if you'd rather fill it out there.

What the form asks for

The form asks for your basic details: your name, birth date, nationality, and current address. It also asks for your current status, your employer or school, and your reason for renewal.

Fill in every field carefully. A missing field is one of the most common reasons an application gets sent back for correction.

Any additional documents are dependent on your residence status. For example, all the necessary documents will be different for those under a Business Manager Visa vs. an Artist Visa. Some common necessary documents include an employment certificate, recent pay stubs, a tax payment certificate, and a marriage certificate.

Please check the Ministry of Justice's application documents for each residence status for more detailed information.

3. Visit the immigration office to submit your documents.

If possible, make an appointment with your local immigration bureau office to avoid a long wait time. 

When you arrive, submit your documents to the immigration office. The immigration officer will process your paperwork, make necessary copies of your passport and residence card, and provide you with any additional information if needed.

Then, they will hand you a postcard on which you will write your address. This postcard will be sent in about 2 weeks to inform you when your new residence is ready.

4. Wait for your new residence card

Receiving your new residence card can take about 2 to 4 weeks.

While waiting for your new residence card, the back and bottom right corner of your old residence card will have a stamp stating that you are currently renewing your stay or changing your residence status.  

⑬  Permission application column for renewal of the period of stay, etc.

5. Go to the immigration office to pick up your new residence card

The immigration office will send you a postcard stating that your new residence card is ready to be picked up. 

Bring your current residence card, which will be exchanged for your new one.

Before leaving, double-check the valid period and new expiration date.

Congrats, you've just renewed your residence card!

Permanent resident renewal: what's different

Permanent residents don't renew a period of stay. Your status never expires.

What you're actually renewing: just the physical card. The card itself has a valid period, even though your permanent resident status doesn't.

Key differences from a standard renewal:

• You can apply starting 2 months before your card's expiration date, not 3 months.

• Your renewal doesn't require proof of ongoing employment or a valid reason for renewal.

• The immigration officer isn't reassessing your eligibility for your status. They're just issuing a new card.

Documents you'll still need:

• Your application form

• Your current residence card

• Your passport

• One photo (4 cm x 3 cm)

Fee: ¥10,000, and online applications aren't available for this type. You must apply in person.

This fee is set to rise substantially, possibly 20 times the current amount. See the cost section above for the full picture, and consider applying now if you're already eligible.

Frequently asked questions

How do you renew your residence card in Japan?

Visit your nearest immigration office to renew your Japanese residence card. See if you can make an appointment to avoid long wait times.

How long does it take to renew a zairyu card?

It can take about 2-3 weeks to renew your zairyu card after you submit the necessary documents.

Can I keep my residence card when I leave Japan?

Yes, you can. When you leave Japan, you will hand your residence card to the Immigration Officer at the airport. Most of the time, they will punch a hole through it, making it invalid.

When should I start the residence card renewal process before the expiry date?

You should start the renewal process a few months prior to your residence card’s expiry date. In most cases, the applicant can submit the application form up to 3 months prior to the expiry date for most statuses, and up to 2 months prior if you are a permanent resident renewing the card’s validity. The exact timing is officially determined by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Where do I submit my application?

You must submit your application at the immigration bureau that has jurisdiction over your registered address. You cannot choose another office. The responsible immigration bureau is determined by where you are registered as a resident.

What documents are required for residence card renewal in Japan?

The documents required for the renewal process depend on your residence status, but most applicants must prepare all your documents listed below as a minimum: the official application form, your passport, your current residence card, one photograph, and the basic necessary documents requested by the immigration bureau. In addition to these, other documents are usually required depending on your situation.

Are national pension and resident tax certificates required?

In many cases, yes. For work-related statuses and long-term residents, you may be asked to submit certificates showing payment of national pension and resident tax. These are often requested as part of the supporting necessary documents to confirm your compliance as an applicant.

Do permanent residents follow the same renewal process?

No. A permanent resident does not renew their period of stay. Instead, they renew the validity of the residence card itself. The renewal process is simpler, but the applicant must still submit an application form and the necessary documents to the immigration bureau before the expiry date of the card.

Can I travel overseas while my residence card is being renewed? Do I need a re entry permit?

Yes, in most cases you can travel during the renewal process. If you leave Japan temporarily, you normally use a re entry permit (including the special re-entry system at the airport). Your current residence card and valid re entry permit allow you to return while your application is still being processed. Always confirm your eligibility with the immigration bureau before departure.

How does the immigration bureau determine whether my renewal is approved?

The immigration bureau will review your application form, your residence history, your activity in Japan, and your submitted necessary documents. They will then determine whether you meet the requirements for your current status, including whether you remain eligible under the same status or must apply under a different category.

Will I get a new-style residence card when I renew?

Yes, if your renewal completes after June 14, 2026. Every card issued after that date uses the new design automatically.

Your period of stay won't print on the card face anymore. It's stored in the IC chip instead.

What is a Specified Residence Card, and do I need one?

No, it's optional. A Specified Residence Card combines your residence card and My Number card into a single card.

You can request this option during your renewal application. If you'd rather keep two separate cards, you don't have to switch.

What if my residence card is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Report it to the police first if it's lost or stolen. Bring the police report when you apply for a replacement card.

Apply at your local immigration bureau within 14 days of noticing the loss. A damaged card follows a similar process, but you don't need a police report for that.

What if I'm already past my renewal deadline?

Apply as soon as possible. Bring a written Letter of Reason explaining the delay, along with your other required documents.

The immigration bureau reviews delayed applications case by case. Reasonable explanations, like illness or an emergency, are less likely to result in a penalty than an unexplained delay.

Are residence card renewal fees going up?

Yes, likely. A 2026 law raised the legal cap on these fees, with permanent residence fees potentially rising toward ¥200,000.

The exact amount and effective date aren't confirmed yet, but officials have mentioned late 2026 as a possible start. If you're eligible to apply now, doing so before the change takes effect could save you money.

In closing

Renewing your residence card in Japan is straightforward when you are well-prepared. 

If you have any specific questions or concerns, always consult with your local immigration office or refer to the official resources provided by the Japanese Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency.