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Useful Links
General Safety
Medical Resources and Links
Disaster Preparedness
Emergency and Evacuation Resources
Emergency Supplies Checklist
Getting in Contact
Disaster Preparedness Handbook
Social Health Insurance
JET Accident Insurance
Mental Health
Sexual Health
Medication
Alcohol Abuse
Immigration
Status of Residence "Visa" (All 3rd Year JETs)
Travelling Abroad
Residence Administrative Procedures
Leaving JET Immigration Procedures
Important Documents
Money
Japanese Taxes
Home Country Taxes
Teaching Resources
Lesson Plans
Video Resources
Online Teaching Journals
Studying Japanese
Japanese Class
Self-Study
Category:
Kana
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
JLPT Prep
Resource Type:
Applications/Programs
Books
Websites
Leaving JETs
Important Documents
Immigration - Status of Residence "VISA"
Return Airfare
Moving Checklist
Shipping and Forwarding Services
Selling/Disposing Your Belongings
Sending Luggage to the Airport
Pension Refund
Procedure A
Procedure B
Working After JET
Reverse Culture Shock
JET AA
Useful Links
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES for LEAVING JETS:
STATUS OF RESIDENCE "VISA"
**Please make sure to check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website for the most up-to-date, official information on the immigration procedures. You can translate the website using the Multi Language feature at the top of the webpage. It is your responsibility to verify and check procedures and documents before submitting them to immigration.
For leaving JETs whose period of stay will expire BEFORE leaving Japan
(Almost always the case for leaving 3rd year JETs; check your residence card expiration date!!)
According to the 2023 GIH (page 73), "If you plan to stay in Japan at the end of your appointment period to make final preparations or travel, you must apply to change your Status of Residence to 'Temporary Visitor' (tanki taizai) before your Period of Stay Expires. The Temporary Visitor Status of Residence is valid for either 15, 30, or 90 days. "
Regardless of the period of stay written on your visa/residence card, your status of residence will be nullified if you go more than 90 days without fulfilling the purpose of your status of residence. This means if you have an instructor status, but stay in Japan for 90 days after JET without securing another instructor job or changing your status of residence, your status of residence will be nullified. Check the Immigration Service website here for more information.
You can apply to change your Status of Residence to 'Temporary Visitor' up to 1 week before you leave. Please go to the immigration office with the following:
- Necessary Documents to apply for a Temporary Visitor Status of Residence
- (a) Application for permission to Change the Status of Residence (click here to download the form)
- (b) Passport
- (c) Alien Registration Card/ Residence Card (whichever one you have)
- (d) Explanation for changing the Status of Residence (zairyu shikaku henko riyusho): a written explanation of your reasons for staying in Japan, including an itinerary.
- (e) Documentation from your contracting organization that shows the last day of your appointment and the schedule date of departure.
- (f) Other: A copy of the airline ticket for passage out of Japan or a copy of confirmed reservation on a flight out of Japan. You may also be asked to show that you have sufficient funds for travel and living in Japan until the day or your departure.
- (g) 4000 Yen Revenue Stamp (can be purchased at any post office)
For leavings JETs who want stay in Japan after JET
If you plan on staying in Japan after JET, you will need to file the appropriate changes with the immigration office within 14 days of the changes.
1. Change of Organization (change of contracting organization or starting a new job)
- Submit a notification within 14 days of leaving a job and/or getting a new job.
- There are three ways to do this:
- Online via the Immigration Services Agency's Electronic Notification System
- At your local immigration office by submitting the appropriate notification
- By mail
- Go to the Immigration Services Website or the "Immigration Documents" Tab for the link to download the appropriate documents.
2. You may also need to change your status of residence to match your new work duties. Please discuss this with your new employer and check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website for appropriate documents and procedures.
If you move, please don't forget to submit a "moving-out" notification (tenshutsu-tokoke 転出届) to your old municipal (ward) office and a "moving-in notification" (tennyu-todoke 転入届) to your new municipal (ward) office. If you stay in the same municipality, you will need to notify the municipal (ward) office of the change of address.
Regardless of the period of stay written on your visa/residence card, your status of residence will be nullified if you go more than 90 days without fulfilling the purpose of your status of residence. This means if you have an instructor status, but stay in Japan for 90 days after JET without securing another instructor job or changing your status of residence, your status of residence will be nullified.
More immigration details can be found here.
For JETs finding employment in Japan after JET:
According to the 2023 GIH (page 73),
*** "JET Programme participants currently residing in Japan that have finished their term of appointment with their contracting organisation and wish to continue to reside in Japan in order to find employment, can submit a Certificate of Employment (Zaishoku Shōmeisho), obtained from their contracting organisation, to prove they have finished their term of appointment on the JET Programme to the regional Immigration Bureau of Japan in order to request a Status of Residence as Temporary Visitor for up to 180 days."
***This is a JET Programme-only thing as far as I am aware, so those looking to work in Japan post-JET should be aware that they can technically apply to stay for up to 180 days instead of the normal 90 days. However, I'm not sure of the way to do this. I am led to believe that CLAIR's wording in the GIH refers to getting a 90-day extension on top of a 90-day tourist visa (which one can apply for normally). tl;dr - don't bank on 180 days.***
Online Residence Application Procedure System
As of March 2022, it is possible to apply for Status of Residence related immigration procedures via online system. The system is fairly new, so there is not much information regarding the process in relation to JETs. For more information, visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Kyoto Immigration Offices
There are two immigration offices in Kyoto Prefecture.
For the office located in Kyoto City click here.
For the office located in Maizuru City, click here.
Hours: From 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 (closed between 12:00 to 13:00 for lunch).
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.