Extend your period of stay or change your status of residence in Japan
A foreign resident can apply at a regional immigration office, or online, to extend a period of stay or to change to another status of residence. Applications must be filed on or before the expiry date. Fees rose on 1 October 2026 and depend on the period granted.
Moving to Japan
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
Japanese Yen
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–45%
Income tax (national)
Consumption tax 10%
Plus 2.1% reconstruction surtax on national tax and about 10% local inhabitant tax; 45% applies above JPY 40 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#59 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: Foreign nationals in Japan with a current status of residence who want to keep the same activity for longer, or who want to change to a different activity.
Current status
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must already hold a status of residence. A change to permanent resident uses a different procedure.
Extension timing
Sign in to check this route against your profileFile on or before the expiry date. For stays of six months or more, filing opens three months before expiry.
Change timing
Sign in to check this route against your profileFile from when the reason for change arises until the expiry date.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 3 more requirements
- 2 documents
- 8 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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- Licence checked with the regulator
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- They start from a prepared case
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Places to visit in Japan
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