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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
Status of Residence (AKA Visa)
Extending your Period of Stay (AKA Renewing your Visa)
Extending your Period of Stay (AKA Renewing your Visa)
Extending your Period of Stay is required for:
**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.
- all 3rd Year JETs and
- anyone whose residence card expires during their term of appointment
**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.
All 3rd year JETs (re-appointed and departing) MUST visit* the immigration office BEFORE their period of stay expires. All 3rd year JETs' period of stay will end approximately on the last day of their appointment period. The "period of stay" is also known as a "visa" (although the term "visa" is technically incorrect in this situation). If you stay past your period of stay, you will be in Japan illegally and may face serious consequences, such as, deportation, imprisonment, and fines.
*As of March 2022, it is possible to apply for Status of Residence related immigration procedures via online system. For more information, visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Please find your situation below. Scroll down for immigration office locations and hours.
1. 3rd year JETs who will NOT be re-appointed will need to:
Change the residency status to Temporary Visitor (up to 1 week before you leave).
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)
2. Re-appointed 3rd year JETs & anyone whose period of stay will expire during their term of appointment
Apply for an Extension of Period of Stay. You are able to start the renewal process up to 3 months before your period of stay expires. We suggest that you start on this process ASAP.
Bring the following to the immigration office:
- (a) Application for Extension of Period of Stay (click here to download the form)
- *On page 4 of the application, the Japanese reads 所属機関等作成用, meaning this is for your organization (base school) to complete. DO NOT complete this section yourself.
- (b) Passport and Alien Registration Card/Residence Card (whichever one you have)
- (c) Contracting Organization Intent to Re-appoint Form (Form A-1) [as required under the instructor section here]
- (d) Documentation certifying annual income and residence tax payments which can be obtained from your city hall. You will need the nouzeishoumeisho 納税証明書, which shows all tax payments, and the kazeishoumeisho 課税証明書, which shows residence tax payments [as required under the instructor section here]
- *Before, a different document was accepted; however, recently, these two documents are what immigration officials want. Better safe than sorry, so bring them both.
- (e) One 40mm X 30mm Photograph
- (f) 4000 Yen Revenue Stamp. **Only needed on the second day (can be purchased at any post office)
Your base school will fill out the "For Organization" part of the application. It may take a few days for your school/office to fill out. Please give it to them in advance so they will have enough time to fill it out properly. You are able to start the renewal process up to 3 months before your period of stay expires. We suggest that you start on this process ASAP.
**Please keep in mind that you will have to go to the immigration office at least twice in order to renew your period of stay. The first time will be to turn in your application and documents, and the second time will be after your application has been processed (you will receive a postcard in the mail notifying you that your application has been processed). Please bring your passport and Alien Registration Card/Residence Card BOTH times! Please ask your supervisor if you are eligible for special leave.**
Other tips:
- Line 13 "Desired length of extension"
- Available options are: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, and 3 months. If you are being reappointed, it is recommended to write down 3 years so you won't have to go back to the immigration office every year. Please keep in mind that you may not be issued a 3-year period of stay just because you request it; the length is ultimately decided by immigration.
- Line 17 "Place of work"
- Put your base school name. If you have a visit school, include it as well.
- Line 23 "Total period of receiving the foreign language education when you teach the foreign language"
- This means, for the language you are teaching (English), how long did you receive your education in English? For most people that went to school in an English-speaking country, it would be K-12 (kindergarten through high school) plus university = 17 years.
[The Immigration Services Agency of Japan website has official information on the Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and other procedures.]
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.