What is an extension of period of stay?
It is the procedure for extending only your period of stay while keeping your current Status of Residence. You can apply from about 3 months before your period of stay ends.
- My period of stay is ending soon, but I changed jobs and worry whether I can extend
- After divorce or separation, I do not know whether my current status is still right
- I have not filed the notification of my change of employer
- I applied myself last time, but this time I want to be sure
If you have changed jobs, divorced or separated, an extension may not be enough. Please see What to do when you change jobs, marry or divorce.
Write a consultation emailOpens with the subject and items filled in
- Consultation and quotations are free. We work in Japanese, Chinese and English by email, and in Japanese and Chinese by telephone and in person.
- We cannot guarantee permission, and there are matters we cannot legally take on (What we can and cannot take on).
- For our telephone number and hours, see How to reach us.
Requirements and points examined
An extension is not automatic just because you were permitted last time. The examination looks at what you did during your period of stay.
| Actual activities | Whether you actually carried out activities matching your current status. Working outside your status counts against you. |
|---|---|
| Residence record | Whether you have met public obligations such as taxes and pension. This is examined for every category of status. |
| Changes in circumstances | If you have changed jobs, divorced or separated, you need to explain the circumstances. |
In addition, a change of employer, divorce or death of a spouse may require a notification within 14 days (a change of employer for statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services; divorce or death of a spouse for statuses such as Spouse or Child of Japanese National; living apart and Permanent Residents are not covered). Failing to file can itself count against you in the extension examination.
Checking after a job change without waiting for the next extension
After changing jobs, you can confirm whether your current status still applies by applying for a Certificate of Authorized Employment. This lets you check whether the new job fits your current status without waiting for the next extension.
It is not compulsory, but having one makes the next extension examination go more smoothly.
Cost and timing
| ① Our Professional Fee (incl. tax) | From 33,000 yen |
|---|---|
| ② Government fee (Actual Expenses) | 10,000–75,000 yen (depending on the period of stay granted) |
| ③ Cost of obtaining documents, etc. (Actual Expenses) | Issuing fees for residence certificates, tax certificates, etc., and postage |
| What you pay, as a guide | ① + ② = from 43,000 yen (plus ③) |
| Expected examination period | 1–2 months |
| When you can apply | From about 3 months before your period of stay ends |
The fee is the amount after the revision of 1 October 2026 and varies with the category of period of stay granted. What matters is the date your application is accepted; applications accepted on or before 30 September 2026 are charged the previous fees. Online applications cost 10,000–65,000 yen, plus a payment charge (330 or 550 yen). For the current amounts, please see the Immigration Services Agency announcement.
As a rule, you do not need to go to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau yourself. The process from consultation to the result is set out on the Status of Residence page.
Frequently asked questions
My period of stay has already expired. Can I still extend it?
An ordinary extension application cannot be used, and a different procedure may be needed. When you contact us, please tell us exactly when your period of stay expired.
My period of stay will end during the examination.
If your application is accepted before your period of stay ends, you may remain under your previous status in the meantime (the special period). It is not unlimited, however: it lasts until a decision is made or the end of the day two months after your period of stay ended, whichever is earlier. It applies to holders of a Residence Card.
I changed jobs. Does my Status of Residence change?
If the new job falls within your current status, an extension is enough; if it does not, a change of Status of Residence is needed. This can be hard to judge, so please consult us.
About consultations
If your application was refused
Even if you applied yourself and were refused, we may be able to propose a way to obtain permission if you consult us. Before you give up, please tell us about it.
We check the reasons for the refusal and then consider a new application or other steps.
Knowing the following 3 points speeds up the consultation. Tell us as much as you know.
- Your current Status of Residence and when your period of stay ends
- Any changes, such as a new job or divorce, with details and dates
- Whether you have filed notifications such as a change of employer
Write a consultation emailOpens with the subject and items filled in
- Consultation and quotations are free. We work in Japanese, Chinese and English by email, and in Japanese and Chinese by telephone and in person.
- We cannot guarantee permission, and there are matters we cannot legally take on (What we can and cannot take on).
- For our telephone number and hours, see How to reach us.