Visa and Entry to Japan

Entry Procedures

Temporary Visitors

If you are from one of the 74 countries and territories with whom Japan has a visa waiver arrangement (click here the MOFA website for the full list) and are staying less than three months (15 days for visitors from Thailand; 30 days for visitors from Brunei), you do not need a visa to enter the country.

New Residents

All incomers to Japan with a period of stay exceeding three months will be issued a residence card at major airports (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima and Fukuoka). Those entering through other ports will receive their card by post after registering their address. All residents must register their address with their local municipal office within 14 days. The residence card is proof of one’s permission to stay in Japan and must be carried at all times by those aged 16 and over.

Read more about residence registration here.

My Number

The Japanese Government implemented a new social security number system beginning in 2015, nick-named “My Number”. All foreign residents are included in the new system, and will be issued a number after registering their address. An Individual Number Notice will be sent by registered mail after registering your address, and must be signed for.
Note that the original paper Notification Card was abolished in May 2020 and is no longer reissued. The number is used for matters related to tax and benefits, and should only be disclosed to relevant organisations. Take care not to lose it.

After receiving the Individual Number Notice, you can apply for a My Number Card by smartphone, post, or online. While the card is not legally mandatory, it now serves as a health insurance card and significantly simplifies access to medical care and government services. It is therefore strongly recommended that all foreign residents obtain one.

Visa Applications

If the period of stay of your visa is coming to an end, or if circumstances mean that your current status of residence will no longer be valid, you must apply for a new visa through the local immigration office. Application forms and lists of necessary documents can be found on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website.

Extending Period of Stay

The period you are allowed to stay in Japan for is recorded on your Residence Card. If you wish to stay longer under the same status of residence, you should apply for a visa extension 2-3 months in advance. Failure to apply in good time may mean you have to leave Japan and apply from overseas. The expiration date of your new visa is calculated from the date of approval, not the date of application, so applying early will not extend its validity period. If your application is submitted before your current visa expires, you will automatically receive a grace period of up to two months beyond your expiry date while the application is being processed.

Changing the Status of Residency

If, through a change in employment or some other circumstances your status of residence no longer applies to the activities you will be engaging in, you must apply for a change in status of residence. Information on the kinds of activities covered by each visa type can be found on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s website. Those wishing to change from a Working Holiday visa to another type of working visa should complete this procedure. Note, however, that whether a change of status is permitted depends on the Working Holiday agreement between Japan and your home country. In some cases, you may be required to return home and apply for a new visa from overseas.

Re-entry Permits

Re-entry permits allow a person with a valid visa to leave and re-enter the country without forfeiting their status of residence. However, since 2012 it is no longer necessary for most foreign nationals leaving Japan for a period of less than one year to apply for a permit before leaving the country. Note that if your period of stay expires within one year of departure, you must re-enter Japan before that expiry date, not within the full one-year window. Instead, at the airport they should fill in the “Embarkation Form for Re-entrant” and check the box stating that they will be returning to Japan within a year, presenting it at Passport Control along with their residence card. On returning to Japan, they should complete the “Disembarkation Form for Re-entrant” (the slip stapled to the passport at the time of departure from Japan) and enter the immigration line for re-entrants.

Anyone leaving Japan for more than one year must apply for a standard re-entry permit at the local Immigration Services Bureau or online, to retain their residence status on returning to Japan. Other cases which require a standard re-entry permit are stipulated by the Ministry of Justice. The maximum term of validity for a re-entry permit is 5 years (6 years for special permanent residents). Note that it is also possible to extend a re-entry permit at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan without returning to the country.

Required documents for applications as of April, 2025:

*1 Available for download from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
*2 Can be purchased at post offices and some immigrationcenters.
For full details, see the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website or inquire directly at your local Immigration Services Agency of Japan.