Applying for a Re-Entry Permit to Japan

A foreign national living in Japan who wishes to temporarily leave the country before the end of their period of stay and plans to return to Japan must apply for a re-entry permit.

However, if the person returns to Japan within one year of leaving the country and is deemed to have a special re-entry permit, as a general rule the person does not need to acquire a standard re-entry permit (this does not apply to persons in Japan on Short-Term Stay visas).

Application Submitter

1. The applicant (the foreign national wishing to remain in Japan)
2. Any of the following persons who have been requested to submit the application by the applicant and who have been authorized as an application proxy by the Director-General of the relevant Regional Immigration Services Bureau
1. An employee of the organization which the applicant manages or at which the applicant is employed
2. An employee of the organization at which the applicant receives training or education
3. An organization that supervise activities by foreign national to acquire skills, techniques or knowledge
4. An employee of an administrative agency that facilitates the smooth reception of foreign nationals
5. A travel agency
3. An attorney or paralegal who has notified the Director-General of the relevant Regional Immigration Services Bureau and who has been requested to submit the application by the applicant
4. The legal representative of the applicant
5. If the applicant is under the age of 16 or cannot submit their application in person due to illness^*1 or other extenuating circumstances^*2, a family member, housemate, or other equivalent person^*3who has been deemed as appropriate for this role by the Director-General of a Regional Immigration Services Bureau
   • 1 In the case of an illness, a medical certificate or other supporting documentation is required to be presented.
   • 2 Statement of reasons (please refer to the Reference Form presented on the Immigration Services Agency’s website) is required to be presented.
     Cases such as being busy at work or commuting to work or school do not fall under the category of “unable to appear in person due to other reasons.”
   • 3 Documents (such as a resident’s card) that prove your relationship with the applicant is required to be presented.

Documents required when applying for a re-entry permit

Submit Application to ...

The Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence

Application Submission Timing and Processing Time

The application must be submitted before the applicant leaves the country. The standard processing time for the application is less than a day (applications are processed on the day they are submitted).

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