Due to strict immigration regulations and complex application process, we would like to redirect you to our school partner. If you meet all their requirements, they will help you with your application. To proceed with getting in touch with our school partner, please use the following link: https://gogonihon.kinsta.cloud/en/school-partner-contact-form/
If you have dual citizenship and hold another passport, please try filling in our form again using those passport details. We thank you for your interest and we wish you all the best with finding a way to study in Japan.
Due to the strict immigration regulations and the complexity of the application process, we regret that we cannot assist students of your nationality as we do not have familiarity with the process for people from your country.
If you do have dual citizenship and hold another passport, please enter those details and try again. We thank you for your interest in our business and wish you luck in finding a way to come to Japan.
If you plan to stay long-term in Japan, it’ll only be a matter of time before you need to renew or extend your visa. Whether you want to extend your Japanese student visa or change it to another visa, there are a few requirements and necessary documents you’ll need to produce in order to complete the process.
Read on to learn about what you need to do to extend, or change, your Japanese student visa.
The basics you need to know
You can apply at your local immigration bureau to extend or change your student visa from 3 months prior to when your current visa expires.
Once you submit your application for visa renewal, your current visa is automatically extended for 2 months from the date of the current expiry date. During this time, your application is processed and you will be notified of the result.
If your application to change your visa is rejected, you will be given a temporary status to allow you to prepare for departure. However, you can re-apply and what you need for your re-application depends on why your initial application was rejected.
What you need for your application
You can find the form to extend your student visa here and information about changing your residence status here.
In general, the documents you need for extension or change of visa are more or less the same regardless of category. You may need additional documents depending on your individual situation.
These documents include:
The application form
A portrait photo
Your current passport
Your Japan residence card
For visa status changes where you change from a student to a work visa, you will also need to include:
Documents that prove your employment, salary, period of time you need to be in Japan etc. For example, a contract with your employer, invitation letter, and so on
The company’s most recent financial statements
The company’s withholding tax report
Description of the company’s activities
Your CV
Certificates of degree, certified transcripts, or certificates of diploma
Documents to prove previous working experience
Your employer may help you apply for your visa change or at least provide the necessary documentation from their end.
Online applications
The process to extend your Japanese student visa has become considerably easier now that the Immigration Bureau accepts online applications.
To do so you will have to register as a new user here, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website. (Only accessible from Japan!)
To register as a new user, you will need:
A computer
MyNumber Card (if you don’t have one yet, you can register online here)
Once you have received a confirmation email, you can apply online for a visa renewal!
To renew your visa, you need:
Scans of the documents required for visa renewal
A photo for your visa JPEG format (3cm x 4cm)
The online application process is as follows:
Log in
Fill in the Extension of the Period of Stay Application Form (specify if you want to pick up your new visa at the Immigration office, or receive it by post)
Upload your documents
Submit
Once your application is submitted, you will have to wait for a confirmation email with your application number. Once you’ve received it, all that’s left for you to do is wait for your application’s result.
If your application is accepted, your next step is to purchase a 4,000 yen revenue stamp (収入印紙 – shūnyū inshi). You can either take this to the Immigration Bureau to pick up your new visa, or send it by post with your form so you can receive your visa in the mail.
Extend your Japanese student visa in person
If you need to complete the process in person, you will have to set aside time to visit your local immigration office.
Your steps to extending/renewing your student visa in person:
Prepare all the documents mentioned above, along with the renewal form.
Visit the Immigration Bureau and secure a time slot
Wait until you are called to the desk (we recommend bringing something to read, as well as some snacks and water, or soft drinks)
Hand over all your documents and answer any questions they might have for you
Go home and wait for the outcome of your application
Return to the Immigration Bureau to pick your visa up along with 4,000 yen worth of revenue stamp
If you choose to extend your visa in person, you will get a stamp on the back of your residence card. This will extend its validity for two months.
Note that, depending on how busy your local immigration office is, you could be spending several hours waiting to submit your application. Bear this in mind when deciding when to go and what other commitments you have on that day.
Go! Go! Nihon is here to help
If you’re looking for help in extending your student visa or changing to a student visa from your current visa, our team at Go! Go! Nihon is experienced in doing so. Contact us for more information.
