What Is a Re-Entry Permit? Application Process, Required Documents, and Validity Period Explained by an Immigration Lawyer

2. Who Needs a Re-Entry Permit and Who Does Not

2-1. Cases Where a Re-Entry Permit Is Required

In the following situations, you are generally required to obtain a re-entry permit in advance before leaving Japan. These are cases where special re-entry permission is not sufficient or involves a high level of risk.

• When you plan to leave Japan for more than one year
• When the length of your stay abroad is uncertain and may exceed one year
• When leaving Japan beyond the validity period of special re-entry permission
• When a permanent resident will stay overseas for a long period
• When your intention to re-enter Japan is clearly determined before departure

For example, in cases such as overseas assignments, studying abroad, long-term medical treatment, or caring for family members, the return date may be uncertain. Even if the original plan was for a short stay, the overseas stay may be extended. If special re-entry permission is chosen in such cases, there is a serious risk of losing your status of residence due to expiration.

2-2. Cases Where a Re-Entry Permit Is Not Required (Special Re-Entry Permission)

Foreign nationals who possess a valid residence card and re-enter Japan within one year after departure (or by the expiration date of their status of residence if it is less than one year) are generally covered by special re-entry permission. In such cases, prior application at the Immigration Services Agency is not required.

However, special re-entry permission is not a system that is applied automatically. During departure procedures at the airport, you must clearly indicate your intention to re-enter Japan. Failure to complete this procedure may result in the loss of your status of residence against your intentions.

In addition, the validity period of special re-entry permission cannot be extended. Even if circumstances change after departure and you are unable to return to Japan within one year, exceptions are generally not permitted.

3. Differences Between a Re-Entry Permit and Special Re-Entry Permission

3-1. Re-Entry Permit (Standard Re-Entry Permit)

A re-entry permit is a system under which an application is submitted to the Immigration Services Agency prior to departure, and the applicant leaves Japan only after obtaining approval. Depending on the status of residence and individual circumstances, a validity period of up to five years (six years for Special Permanent Residents) may be granted.

This system is considered the safest option for reliably maintaining one’s status of residence, particularly for those who plan to stay outside Japan for a long period or whose return date is uncertain.

3-2. Special Re-Entry Permission

Special re-entry permission is a simplified system intended for short-term departures, and its main advantage is that no advance application is required. On the other hand, a major characteristic is that the validity period is strictly limited to within one year in principle.

In cases such as: “There is a possibility of staying overseas for more than one year,” or “It is difficult to predict the timing of return due to work or family circumstances,” choosing special re-entry permission itself poses a significant risk.

If there is even a slight element of uncertainty at the time of departure, it is safer to obtain a standard re-entry permit, even though the procedure may require more effort, as this helps prevent future problems.

4. Important Points Regarding Re-Entry Permits for Permanent Residents

Because permanent residents are not required to renew their period of stay, it is often misunderstood that “once permanent residence is obtained, entry and exit procedures are completely unrestricted.” However, the re-entry permit system also applies to permanent residents.

Permanent resident status is special in that there is no limit on the period of stay, but in order to re-enter Japan with the same status after leaving the country, a re-entry permit or special re-entry permission is still required, just as with other statuses of residence.

Particular attention is required when a permanent resident leaves Japan for more than one year. Since special re-entry permission is premised on re-entry within one year, staying abroad beyond this period may result in the loss of permanent resident status itself.

In practice, there are many consultations from permanent residents who were unable to return to Japan and re-enter due to reasons such as “extended caregiving for a parent” or “an overseas assignment being prolonged.” For permanent residents in particular, it is important to obtain a re-entry permit before departure.

5. Validity Period of a Re-Entry Permit and Risk of Expiration

A re-entry permit always has a validity period. If you do not re-enter Japan within this period, the re-entry permit will expire, and your status of residence will, in principle, be lost at the same time.

For example, even if you obtain a three-year re-entry permit and leave Japan, if you do not return to Japan within those three years, re-entry will not be permitted, even if there were “unavoidable circumstances.”

A particularly important point to note is that the validity period of a re-entry permit cannot be extended. Even if your stay overseas becomes longer than expected, there is no procedure available to extend the deadline.

Therefore, before leaving Japan, it is essential to realistically consider “how long you may potentially stay overseas” and “whether there is any possibility that your return may be delayed,” and to obtain a re-entry permit with a sufficiently long validity period. This is extremely important for protecting your status of residence.

6. How to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit (Where to Apply and Application Process)

6-1. Application Office and Applicant

In principle, applications for a re-entry permit must be submitted by the applicant in person at the Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. The application must be filed before departure, and it is not possible to obtain a re-entry permit after leaving Japan.

If it is difficult to secure time due to work or travel preparations, it is also possible to request an administrative scrivener to handle the application procedures on your behalf.

6-2. Application Process

The general flow of a re-entry permit application is as follows.

1. Confirmation of the planned period of departure and status of residence
2. Preparation of the re-entry permit application form
3. Preparation of required documents
4. Submission of the application to the Immigration Services Agency
5. Obtaining the re-entry permit stamp in the passport after approval

Depending on how crowded the immigration office is, the procedures may not be completed on the same day. The closer the departure date is, the more advisable it is to apply as early as possible.

7. Re-Entry Permit Application Form and Required Documents

Although the documentation required for a re-entry permit application is relatively simple, deficiencies in the documents or errors in the information provided may cause delays in the procedure.

• Re-entry permit application form
• Passport
• Residence card
• Revenue stamps for payment of the application fee

You may also be asked to provide an oral explanation regarding the reason for departure and the planned length of stay abroad, so it is advisable to organize this information in advance.

8. What Is a Re-Entry Permit Certificate (Stamp)?

Once a re-entry permit is approved, a re-entry permit certificate (stamp) is affixed to the passport. This stamp serves as official proof that the holder is permitted to re-enter Japan after departure.

At both departure and re-entry, both the passport and residence card will be checked, so special care must be taken to avoid loss or expiration.

9. Q&A on Re-Entry Permit Applications

If the period of departure is within one year and the return date is clearly determined, special re-entry permission can often be used. Since no advance application is required, it is a convenient system for short-term temporary returns or business trips.

On the other hand, if “there is a possibility that the stay abroad will exceed one year” or “the return date is uncertain due to work or family circumstances,” relying on special re-entry permission involves higher risk. In such cases, it is safer to obtain a standard re-entry permit.

In practice, if there is even a small element of uncertainty before departure, choosing a re-entry permit can help prevent serious problems, such as the loss of status of residence.

Yes. The re-entry permit system also applies to permanent residents. Permanent resident status is special in that it does not require renewal of the period of stay, but this does not mean that procedures for re-entering Japan after departure are unnecessary.

Particular caution is required when a permanent resident leaves Japan for more than one year. Since special re-entry permission is premised on re-entry within one year, exceeding this period may result in the loss of permanent resident status.

Rather than assuming “it will be fine because I am a permanent resident,” it is important to consider obtaining a re-entry permit based on the length of time you plan to be abroad.

In principle, the validity period of a re-entry permit cannot be extended. If you fail to re-enter Japan within the validity period set at the time of approval, the re-entry permit will expire, and your status of residence will be lost at the same time.

Even if circumstances change during your stay overseas and your return to Japan is delayed, there is no procedure available to extend the validity period. For this reason, the length of the period set before departure is extremely important.

Therefore, before leaving Japan, it is advisable to obtain a re-entry permit based not on the “shortest possible period,” but on the longest period that can realistically be anticipated.

In principle, it is possible to apply for a re-entry permit even shortly before departure. However, depending on congestion at the Immigration Services Agency or the time required to review the application details, the procedure may not be completed on the same day.

In particular, waiting times tend to be longer during busy periods or around long holidays, so the closer your departure date is, the more strongly it is recommended that you apply as early as possible.

By consulting an administrative scrivener, you can receive a professional assessment of whether a re-entry permit or special re-entry permission is more appropriate, taking into account your planned period of departure and your status of residence.

Another major advantage is that it helps prevent errors in the application form or omissions in the required documents, allowing the procedures to proceed smoothly.

In particular, for permanent residents planning a long-term departure, or for those considering future status renewals, changes, or permanent residence applications, receiving comprehensive advice that also takes into account the future impact of the re-entry permit provides significant peace of mind.

10. Overview of Our Re-Entry Permit Application Support Service

1. Service Overview

This service is designed for foreign nationals who hold a status of residence in Japan and wish to temporarily leave Japan, and it is a service in which professionals handle the re-entry permit application procedures on your behalf so that you can re-enter Japan while maintaining your current status of residence after leaving the country.

We help prevent the risk of losing your status of residence due to failure to obtain a re-entry permit or due to expiration of the validity period, and support you so that you can travel overseas with peace of mind.

We can assist in cases such as the following.

2. Services Included

1. Preliminary determination of whether a re-entry permit is required (comparison with special re-entry permission)
2. Designing the optimal validity period according to the planned period of departure
3. Preparation and review of the re-entry permit application form and related documents
4. Handling the application procedures at the Immigration Services Agency and obtaining the re-entry permit stamp on your behalf
5. Risk management advice with an eye toward future renewals and permanent residence applications

3. Benefits of Choosing ACROSEED

▼See the 9 Reasons ACROSEED Is Chosen for More Details

4. Ratings on Google Reviews

ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office has received high evaluations for service quality from many clients, regardless of nationality or application category.

5. Re-Entry Permit Application Fees at ACROSEED (Tax Excluded)

・There are absolutely no additional charges depending on the client’s circumstances.

・ACROSEED’s services are available nationwide. Clients who live far away can also request our services at the fees listed below.

・Payment by Visa or MasterCard is also accepted.