About Extension of Period of Stay Applications
- We have an employee whose status “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” will soon expire. The employee’s registered address is in Ibaraki Prefecture. Where can the extension application be filed, and when should it be submitted?
- An extension of period of stay application must be filed with the Regional Immigration Services Bureau that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s registered residential address. If the address on file is in Ibaraki Prefecture, the filing location will be one of the following under the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau: the Mito Branch Office or the Utsunomiya Branch Office. Please note that some branch offices do not handle all statuses of residence; we recommend confirming coverage in advance.
Next, the application window is defined as any time before the current period of stay expires (for those with a period of stay of six months or longer, generally from approximately three months prior to the expiry date). In special circumstances—such as hospitalization or extended business travel—applications may be accepted more than three months in advance, but you must first confirm with the relevant Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
Within the application window, the filing is typically made by the applicant in person. Alternatively, a legal representative or a proxy may submit on the applicant’s behalf (e.g., a staff member of the employer authorized by the Director of a Regional Immigration Services Bureau to act as a proxy filer, or an attorney/gyoseishoshi who has notified the Bureau at the applicant’s request). When a proxy files, the applicant need not appear at the Bureau; however, the applicant must be present in Japan. If questions arise during processing, the Bureau may still require the applicant to appear.
Related Service Page:
Extension of Period of Stay (Renewal)
This is the procedure required when a foreign national wishes to remain in Japan beyond the current period of stay in order to continue the same authorized activities.
Free Consultation for Corporate HR Teams
Since 1986, ACROSEED has specialized in immigration and visa services for foreign employees in Japan. For nearly 40 years, we have advised corporate HR teams on compliance, procedures, and workforce planning.
Consultations are available via phone, email, online, or in person. English-language support is always available.
