Residence Card Renewal

If you wish to stay beyond a 3rd year in Japan (whether on the JET Programme or not), you will need to renew your residence (zairyu) card before it expires. If you have a physical My Number card, you will have to renew it as well, as it will expire the same day as your residence card.

To renew your residence card, please follow these steps:

1. Print out and fill out the forms from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website at https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/16-3.html. It is called the 在留期間更新許可申請書 (zairyu kikan koushin kyoka shinseisho).  Make sure it is the form that corresponds to your residence type (most ALTs should be 教育 (education) and most CIRs should be 技術・人分知識・国際業務 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services). Please confirm with your CO if you are unsure.

Immigration Services Website Navigation

在留手続　→　在留資格から探す　→　ALTs: 11 教育 / CIRs: 12 技術・人分知識・国際業務　→　在留期間更新許可申請書

*** Please note that the proof of employment form (“For organization, Part 1 I”) needs to be filled out by your contracting organization. They should automatically provide you with the completed form near the end of June.

*** When you fill the form, you can write down 1, 2 or 3 years in field 13 “Desired length of extension”. Your school/BOE may request that you only renew for the time you have left with them. However, if you plan to continue to work in Japan after the JET Programme, we recommend applying for the full 3 years.

2. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, head to the Immigration Office in Nagasaki City.

   https://goo.gl/maps/tyUrSK33ugyZWNAX9

   You will need to bring the following items.

   • A completed application form (including the form provided by your CO)
   • A recent 4cm x 3cm photograph (can be taken at a photo booth machine found at some convenience stores or near government offices)
   • Your passport
   • Your current Residence Card
   • Any additional documents mentioned in the application (see the table included on the Immigration Services website, and consult your supervisor if unable to read Japanese)

*** Please note that this office is not located in a central part of the city. It is just beyond the cruise ship terminal. If you are taking the tram, get off at the Ourakaigandori stop. From there, it should be less than a five minutes walk to the building. The office is up on the second floor.

*** The Immigration Office is only open from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. Please check with your school/BOE to determine when you can go and, if necessary, to organize transportation. You SHOULDN’T be required to take nenkyu since this pertains to your employment and is necessary for you to continue working here in Japan and should be able to request some kind of official leave, but will ultimately be up to your CO.

3. Submit all your documents at the Immigration Office. The immigration officers will process your paperwork, make copies of your passport and residence card, and help you if there is any additional step you need to do. They will then hand you a postcard on which you have to write down your address. This postcard will be sent to you about 2-4 weeks later to inform you that your new residence card is ready to be picked up. *It must be picked up before the deadline listed on the postcard.
4. Head to the Immigration Office to complete the process and get your new card. For this second trip, you will need to bring:

• • The postcard that was sent to you
  • Your receipt from your first visit
  • Your passport
  • Your current Residence Card
  • A revenue stamp*

* You will need to pay a fee in the form of a “stamp”, which can be purchased around the corner from the Immigration Office at a little convenience store stand located on the same floor. (You do not need to leave the building). The cost for residence card renewal as of September 2024 is 4000 yen.

5. Receive your new Residence Card and double-check its period of validity before leaving the Immigration Office. The immigration officer will NOT update the visa in your passport. The visa stamp is your passport was only an entry visa. Your Residence Card acts as your visa. Carry it on you at all times.
6. Keep your old Residence card as a souvenir. You are done! Enjoy the rest of your time in Japan!