Renewing Your Visa on JET

July 11, 2024

In this article

Most visa issued to incoming JETs are for a 3-year period. It is your responsibility to file for an extension before this expires if your contract extends past the visa expiry date. The process will require you to make two trips to your local or regional immigration office.

How to Renew Your Visa

You can visit the immigration office and begin the process of renewal 3 months before your current visa expires. Do not wait until it expires. 　

On your first visit, you will need the following documents (listed in the General Information Handbook):

Application for Extension of the Period of Stay (Zairyū Kikan Kōshin Kyoka Shinseisho ). (Application forms can be found on the Immigration Bureau of Japan website and at your regional Immigration Bureau of Japan)

Passport

Residence Card

Photograph

If you are a CIR, you will also need a certificate proving your employment as a public servant. ALTs may also be asked for this document. You can confirm which documents your local office requests on their website or by calling them.

Also, please be aware that part of the application form must be completed by your employer, not you the individual.

During your first visit to the immigration office, you will present your documents and answer any necessary questions. If there is a missing document or required changes, you may be asked to return or you may be given an envelope and asked to mail the additional documents back to the office. You will also fill out a postcard with your home address.

When the postcard you filled out arrives at your house, possibly several weeks later, you should return to the immigration office to receive your extended visa. Make sure to bring your residence card and passport, just in case. You will also need to bring revenue stamps,収入印紙, shūnyū inshi, (￥4000 at the time of writing) to pay for the visa. You purchase these at a post office.

Visa Changes when Finishing JET

You must leave Japan on or before the date of expiration listed on your residence card. If you want to stay in Japan past this date, you will have to change your status of residence. Do not wait until the last day of your period of stay to leave Japan. Natural disasters and bad weather have caused JETs to miss their flights or connecting trains in the past.

If you will continue working in Japan after you leave the JET Programme, make sure your new employer knows about your residence status. The “Instructor” status is only for working in specific educational institutions, so in most cases, you’ll need to change to another classification even if you’ll still be teaching English. CIRs may not need to change anything, as “Specialist in Humanities” covers a wider range of job types. Read more about visas on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here: mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

To renew or change your status of residence, you need to visit the local or regional immigration office.

If your period of stay ends with your contract:

You must change your status of residence before your period of stay expires, or you will be in Japan illegally.**

Most JETs who are leaving Japan need to change to “Temporary Visitor” (短期滞在 tanki taizai). The Otsu immigration office asks people to come on (or a couple of days before) the expiration date.

To change to another working status, consult your new employer for documentation. More information here: isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/index.html

There seems to be wiggle room if you’ll be using paid leave at the end of your contract but you can’t legally teach as a Temporary Visitor or continue your current job using a different status of residence. Call immigration to confirm when you should submit your paperwork. This mostly applies to ALTs, as the “Instructor” status has very specific requirements

You will need to bring documentation with you when you apply. See page 71 of the 2023 General Information Handbook for details and have your supervisor call to confirm with the immigration office.

You’ll need to visit twice (once to submit, once to pick up your new paperwork). This should count as special leave, but confirm with your CO beforehand.

If your period of stay extends past your contract:

You don’t need to change your status of residence (unless it’s required for your next job in Japan). Your residence card is not tied to your employer. However, unless you’re actively engaged in or searching for work, there’s a limit to how long you can remain in Japan regardless of the period of stay on your residence card. You have 90 days before immigration can look into whether you’re really seeking employment. For changes to other working visa types, consult your new workplace for documentation or the Immigration Services Agency of Japan: isa.go.jp/en/index.html

DO NOT OVERSTAY YOUR VISA.

You can be fined, face jail time, and be barred from re-entering Japan for up to 10 years. The PAs, your CO, and CLAIR cannot help you if this happens.

** Some sources say you have 14 days from the end date to finish the process of changing your visa. Don’t leave it up to chance, change it before it expires.

Lauren Suna

Lauren Suna is a 3rd year ALT from New York located in the Jurassic Park of Japan, Fukui Prefecture. In her free time, Lauren can be found hiking in the mountains or playing the guitar.