Residence

How to Handle Residence Card / Period-of-Stay Renewal (在留期間更新許可申請) in Japan

Last updated：2026-07-02

Quick Answer

This is an immigration procedure related to your 在留資格 (zairyū shikaku, residence status). The most common case is the 在留期間更新許可申請 (zairyū kikan kōshin kyoka shinsei, application for permission to extend the period of stay) — extending the period you are permitted to stay in Japan without changing your residence status. You generally need to apply to an 出入国在留管理官署 (shutsunyūkoku zairyū kanri kansho, immigration services office, commonly called 入管 / nyūkan) before your period of stay expires. The procedure, required documents, and acceptance period differ by residence status, so the immigration authorities' explanations take precedence.

What This Document Is

Residence-related renewal applications fall into two main types:

在留期間の更新（在留期間更新許可申請） (zairyū kikan no kōshin): under the Immigration Control Act, this extends the period of stay of your current residence status (such as Student or Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services).
在留カードの有効期間の更新 (zairyū kādo no yūkō kikan no kōshin): mainly for permanent residents and similar holders; this renews the validity period of the residence card itself.

Applying generally requires the application form, your passport, your residence card (在留カード), and the documents required for your specific residence status.

Common Fields on the Document

在留期間更新許可申請書 (zairyū kikan kōshin kyoka shinseisho) — application form for extension of the period of stay.
在留資格 / 在留期間 (zairyū shikaku / zairyū kikan) — residence status / period of stay.
在留期限 / 有効期間満了日 (zairyū kigen / yūkō kikan manryōbi) — period-of-stay deadline / expiration date of the validity period.
本人確認書類 / パスポート (honnin kakunin shorui / pasupōto) — identity verification documents / passport.
在留カード (zairyū kādo) — residence card.
手数料 / 収入印紙 (tesūryō / shūnyū inshi) — fee / revenue stamp (paid when a period-of-stay extension is granted; the residence-card validity-period renewal itself, e.g. for permanent residents, is free of charge).

What You Need to Do

Check your 在留期限 (zairyū kigen, period-of-stay deadline) and apply well before it expires (generally possible from about 3 months in advance).
Prepare the application form and required documents (passport, residence card, ID photo, and so on) according to your residence status.
Submit them to the 地方出入国在留管理官署 (chihō shutsunyūkoku zairyū kanri kansho, regional immigration services office) with jurisdiction over your place of residence, or use the online application.
For a period-of-stay extension, pay the 手数料 (tesūryō, fee) as instructed when permission is granted (paid with a revenue stamp) and receive your new residence card; the card validity-period renewal procedure is free of charge.

Where Deadlines and Amounts May Appear

Deadline: based on your 在留期限 — the 「在留期間（満了日）」 (period of stay / expiration date) printed on your residence card; you must apply before it expires. If you applied on time, the 特例期間 (tokurei kikan, special extension period) rules generally allow you to continue staying while awaiting the decision — until the decision is made or up to two months after the expiry date, whichever comes first.
Amount: for a period-of-stay extension, a fee is payable when permission is granted; the amount and payment methods (revenue stamp / online) are as explained by the Immigration Services Agency. The residence-card validity-period renewal is free of charge.

Which Official Body to Contact When Unsure

For residence procedures, the 出入国在留管理庁 (Shutsunyūkoku Zairyū Kanrichō, Immigration Services Agency, commonly called 入管 / nyūkan) website and the regional immigration services office with jurisdiction over your place of residence take precedence; you can also call the Foreign Residents Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター, gaikokujin zairyū sōgō infomēshon sentā). Official explanations take precedence over any third-party interpretation.

Common Japanese Terms

在留資格 (zairyū shikaku) — residence status
在留期間 (zairyū kikan) — period of stay
在留期間更新許可申請 (zairyū kikan kōshin kyoka shinsei) — application for permission to extend the period of stay
在留カード (zairyū kādo) — residence card
満了日 (manryōbi) — expiration date
収入印紙 (shūnyū inshi) — revenue stamp (used to pay the fee)

FAQ

When should I apply for the extension of my period of stay?

You can generally apply before your period of stay expires (if your current period of stay is 6 months or longer, applications are usually accepted from about 3 months before the expiry date). Apply as early as possible, because failing to apply before expiry can affect your residence status (if you applied on time, you can generally continue staying under the special extension period rules while the decision is pending). For the exact acceptance period and methods, follow the Immigration Services Agency's explanations.

Are 在留期間の更新 (extension of the period of stay) and 在留カードの有効期間の更新 (renewal of the residence card validity period) the same thing?

No. 在留期間の更新 extends the period of stay you have been granted without changing your residence status, while 在留カードの有効期間の更新 is the renewal that permanent residents and similar holders carry out for the validity period of the card itself. To find out which one applies to you and how to proceed, follow the Immigration Services Agency's explanations.

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Sources

This article only helps you understand the structure and common Japanese terms of such documents; it does not replace the official guidance of the city hall, the pension office, the tax authorities, or any other institution. Please follow official instructions for actual procedures.