Status of residence

Status of residence

The status of residence is a status granted to foreign nationals according to the purpose of their entry to and stay in Japan. Foreign nationals may engage in activities within the scope of the status of residence and period of stay permitted to them.

Residence Card

 Re-issuance of Residence Cards

If a Residence Card has been lost, stolen, damaged or soiled, an application for its re-issuance must be filed at the Sapporo Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days. You must also notify the police if your card has been lost or stolen.

Returning of Residence Cards

You must return your Residence Card to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau when you leave Japan after finishing your activities (excluding departure with a re-entry permit). Please return your card to an immigration officer at an airport or seaport when you leave Japan.

Since you may also have to return other documents, check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website for more details.

Procedures for extending period of stay/changing resident status

Extension of the period of stay

To extend the period of your stay, you must apply for an extension at the Sapporo Regional Immigration Services Bureaubefore your card expires.  The earliest you can apply for an extension is three months before the expiration date.

Change of the status of residence

To change your purpose of residence, you must apply for a change of the status of residence swiftly at the Sapporo Regional Immigration Services Bureau regardless of your length of stay.

Permission for permanent residence

Those who wish to reside permanently in Japan must apply for permanent residence.

Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted

If a person whose status of residence does not allow him or her to work wishes to undertake activities to earn an income (e.g. a student or dependent wants to work part-time), s/he must obtain permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.

Re-entry Permit

Special Re-entry Permit (if you return to Japan within one year)

If foreign nationals return to Japan within one year of leaving the country (or by the expiration date of the Residence Card when the expiration date comes earlier than one year from the date of departure, or within two years in the case of special permanent residents), the re-entry permission procedure will be exempted as long as they have a valid passport and Residence Card (or a special permanent resident certificate in the case of special permanent residents).

Persons leaving Japan with a Special Re-entry Permit must re-enter the country within one year of leaving (or by the expiration date of the Residence Card when the expiration date comes earlier than one year from the date of departure, or within two years in the case of special permanent residents). Otherwise, their resident status will be lost.

Re-entry Permit (if you leave Japan for one year or longer) 

Mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents who plan to leave and re-enter Japan with their currently admitted status of residence and period of stay must receive a re-entry permit before departure at the Sapporo Regional Immigration Services Bureau (up to a maximum of 5 years or up to the expiration date when the expiration date comes earlier than 5 years, or 6 years in the case of special permanent residents).

Various notifications

If there is a change regarding the organization you are affiliated with (e.g., change of the organization’s name or location), a change in your address, a change in the relationship with your spouse (e.g., divorce or bereavement of your spouse), procedures for notification of changes must be carried out within 14 days from the date of change.

Procedures for status of residence