Renewing Your Period of Stay, and When Your Situation Changes

When your period of stay is approaching its expiration date, or when your work, school, or family situation changes, you may need to complete procedures related to your residence status.

First, check your residence status and the expiration date of your period of stay on your Residence Card.

When you renew your period of stay

If you want to continue staying in Japan under your current residence status, check the application for extension of period of stay.

When you can apply, the documents required, and what is examined differ depending on your residence status and situation.

Prepare with plenty of time to spare, not right before the deadline.

You quit your job or changed jobs

People with certain residence statuses must notify the Immigration Services Agency when they leave a company, sign a contract with a new company, and similar situations.

Those subject to this must notify within 14 days from the day the fact occurred.

Depending on your residence status, the procedure differs — for example, a "notification related to the contracting organization" or a "notification related to the organization of activity."

You left school or changed schools

For some residence statuses, such as "Student," a notification is required when you leave school or move to a different school.

Those subject to this notify within 14 days.

Marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse

For residence statuses based on a relationship with a spouse — such as "Dependent," "Spouse or Child of Japanese National," or "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" — a notification may be required upon divorce or bereavement.

Those subject to this notify within 14 days.

If you want to continue living in Japan after a divorce, separately check whether you can remain on your current residence status.

When your job duties change

Check whether your new job or new job duties fall within the activities permitted under your residence status.

If it is difficult to judge, consult an immigration services bureau or similar organization before starting the job.

Notifications you can complete online

For eligible procedures, you can use online notification for things such as notifications related to your affiliated organization.

If you are unsure

• General procedures → Foreign Residents Support Center
• Individual residence procedures → Regional Immigration Services Bureau
• Specialized judgment → An immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi) or similar professional

What you can check next

• The basics of residence status and the Residence Card
• Leaving a job, changing jobs, or becoming unemployed
• Finding a job in Japan
• Thinking about divorce, or already divorced

Main places to check

• Immigration Services Agency
• Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Last checked: August 2026