Q.

I am planning to visit my home country temporarily over the New Year holidays. Do I need to obtain a re-entry permit before leaving Japan?

If so, what will my current status of residence be?

Also, please tell me what I need to be careful about when applying for a re-entry permit.

 

A.

The re-entry permit system is for foreign nationals who are living in Japan. By obtaining a re-entry permit before leaving Japan, you can re-enter Japan easily after traveling abroad temporarily for business, tourism, or returning to your home country.

By re-entering Japan with a re-entry permit, you can keep your current visa status and period of stay.

However, be aware that if your Residence Card expires while you are away from Japan, your visa status will be lost even if you have obtained a re-entry permit.

If you are planning to return to Japan after traveling abroad for more than a year, please apply for a "re-entry permit." If you are planning to return to Japan after traveling abroad within a year, please apply for a "special re-entry permit." Please read the following and select the appropriate type for you.

 

<If you return to Japan after traveling abroad for more than a year → "Re-entry permit (Sai Nyukoku Kyoka)">

If you are planning to return to Japan after traveling abroad for more than a year, you must apply for and obtain a "re-entry permit" from the Immigration Services Bureau of Japan (or the Nagoya Immigration Bureau if you live in Nagoya City).

There are two types of re-entry permits.

① Valid only once

→Handling fee: 4,000 yen (3,500 yen for online application)*

② You can re-enter as many times as you like within the validity period.

→・Handling fee: 7,000 yen (6,500 yen for online application)*

・Validity period: Up to 5 years within your current period of stay (6 years for "special permanent resident"*)

*For more details and application form, please click here↓

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/procedures/16-5.html

　*As of December 2025

 

<If you return to Japan within a year → "Special re-entry permit (Minashi Sai Nyukoku Kyoka)">

If you are planning to re-enter Japan within a year (two years for special permanent residents) from the date of departure, you do not need to obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Bureau. Instead, when departing Japan, you must inform the immigration officer at the airport that you intend to leave the country temporarily using a special re-entry permit.

For more details,

- Check the box on the departure side of Disembarkation Card for Reentrant that reads, "I am leaving Japan temporarily and will return."

- Present your Disembarkation Card for Reentrant to the immigration officer and indicate your intention to use the special re-entry permit when departure.

*You must bring your valid passport and residence card (special permanent resident certificate if you are a special permanent resident).

★Note: If your period of stay will expire within a year of your departure date, you are required to re-enter Japan before the expiration of the period of stay.

→You must return within a year of your departure and within your period of stay.

 

With both Re-entry permit and Special re-entry permit, you can depart Japan while applying for an extension of your period of stay.

However, considering that the Immigration Bureau may contact you regarding the screening procedures, it is desirable to remain reachable even though you are out of the country.

 

★Please be sure to check with the Immigration Bureau before leaving Japan.

★For more information, click below for the Immigration Services Agency's "Re-entry Permit Application" webpage.

　https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/procedures/16-5.html

 

*"Special permanent residents"

Special permanent residents have a status of residence based on the "Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan." Eligible people are those from the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan who lost Japanese nationality under the San Francisco Peace Treaty after World War II, as well as their descendants.