Re-entry Permit for Japan — Differences from Special Re-entry, When You Need One, and How to Apply

A re-entry permit allows foreign nationals residing in Japan to leave the country temporarily and return without losing their status of residence (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA), Article 26). For those returning within one year of departure, most residents can use “Special Re-entry Permission” (ICRRA, Article 26-2), which requires no prior application. However, a regular re-entry permit is still required for absences exceeding one year or in certain specific situations.

For an overview of all residence status categories, see our guide to types of residence status.

What Is a Re-entry Permit?

A re-entry permit exempts the holder from obtaining a new visa upon return and streamlines the landing examination process (ICRRA, Articles 6(1) proviso and 7(1) preamble parenthetical). After landing, the previous status of residence and period of stay are deemed to have continued (ICRRA, Article 9(3) proviso; ISA, “Re-entry Permit,” in Japanese).

What Happens Without a Re-entry Permit

If a foreign national departs Japan without any form of re-entry permission (known as “simple departure”), the status of residence and period of stay they held are extinguished. This applies equally to Permanent Residents. To return, the individual must obtain a new visa and go through the landing application and landing examination to receive landing permission.

Impact on Permanent Residence Applications

The continuity of residence provided by a re-entry permit is significant for permanent residence applications. In the review of permanent residence applications, continuous residence in Japan for ten years or more is, in principle, a factor (Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence, Part 2, 5(6)). A simple departure breaks this continuity, so residence before the departure no longer counts toward the “continuous” years.

However, holding a re-entry permit does not mean that time abroad is irrelevant. Under the same Guidelines, revised on October 1, 2026, for permanent residence applications filed on or after April 1, 2027, an absence from Japan without reasonable grounds of six months or more on a single trip, or of two years and six months or more in total, within the past ten years is generally assessed negatively. If you are aiming for permanent residence, we recommend checking how a planned long absence relates to your application timing. See our “Permanent Residence Guide” for details.

Differences from Special Re-entry Permission

For departures of one year or less, most foreign nationals can use Special Re-entry Permission (minashi sainyūkoku kyoka), which requires no advance application. However, there are important differences from a regular re-entry permit. Most notably, the validity period cannot be extended overseas.

Item	Regular Re-entry Permit	Special Re-entry Permission
Legal basis	ICRRA Article 26	ICRRA Article 26-2
Advance application	Required (at a regional immigration office)	Not required
Validity period	Up to five years (within period of stay); up to six years for special permanent residents	One year from departure (within period of stay); two years for special permanent residents
Overseas extension	Available (up to one year per extension; up to six years from the date the permit took effect; seven years for special permanent residents)	Not available
Fee	Required (differs for single and multiple permits)	None
Departure procedure	Present passport with re-entry permission endorsement	Check the box on the embarkation card for re-entrants indicating a temporary departure with the intention to re-enter

The periods for special permanent residents are set by Article 23 of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan.

Key Limitation of Special Re-entry Permission

Special Re-entry Permission cannot be extended overseas. If you do not return to Japan within one year of departure (two years for special permanent residents), your status of residence is lost. If your period of stay expires before the one-year mark, that earlier date becomes the deadline.

If there is any possibility your overseas stay may extend beyond one year, obtain a regular re-entry permit before departing.

When You Need a Re-entry Permit

In situations 1 to 3 below, you must obtain a regular re-entry permit before departure. In situation 4, we recommend obtaining one.

1. Planned Absence Exceeding One Year

If you expect to be outside Japan for more than one year (more than two years for special permanent residents), a regular re-entry permit is necessary because the Special Re-entry Permission period is insufficient.

2. Exclusion from Special Re-entry Permission

The following individuals are not eligible for Special Re-entry Permission (ICRRA Enforcement Regulation, Article 29-4(1); ISA, “Special Re-entry Permission,” in Japanese):

• Persons undergoing revocation proceedings for their status of residence
• Persons subject to deferment of confirmation of departure
• Persons for whom a detention order has been issued
• Persons placed under supervisory measures
• Persons holding “Designated Activities” status while a refugee recognition application is pending
• Persons whom the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has determined are likely to commit acts harmful to Japan’s interests or public safety, among other reasons

3. Period of Stay of Three Months or Less, or Temporary Visitor Status

Foreign nationals whose period of stay is three months or less, and those holding “Temporary Visitor” status, are excluded from Special Re-entry Permission (ICRRA, Article 26-2(1)).

As an exception, a Temporary Visitor holding a valid passport who departs on a designated passenger ship and declares to the immigration inspector an intention to re-enter Japan on that ship is deemed to have a re-entry permit. It is valid for 15 days from departure (or until the period of stay expires, if sooner) and cannot be extended overseas (ICRRA, Article 26-3; ICRRA Enforcement Regulation, Article 29-3).

4. Possible Need for Overseas Extension

If your overseas stay may be prolonged beyond your initial plans, a regular re-entry permit is advisable. With a regular re-entry permit, you can apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate for an extension of the validity period if there is found to be reasonable cause preventing re-entry within the validity period (ICRRA, Article 26(5) and (6)). The extension may not exceed one year and must fall within six years (seven years for special permanent residents) from the effective date of the original permit. However, the validity of a re-entry permit is limited to within your period of stay.

Application Process

Regular Re-entry Permit

Where to apply: The regional immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of residence (ISA, “Application for Re-entry Permit,” in Japanese)

Who may apply:

• The applicant in person
• Staff of the applicant’s organization, travel agents, and others approved as application agents, or a lawyer or gyoseishoshi (a licensed specialist in Japanese government procedures, including visas) who has filed the required notification (when requested by the applicant)
• The applicant’s legal representative
• A relative, cohabitant, or similar person whom the Director-General of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau finds appropriate, if the applicant is under 16 or unable to appear due to illness or other reasons

Required documents:

1. Re-entry permit application form
2. Passport (for presentation)
3. Residence card or special permanent resident certificate (for presentation)

Fees:

The fee differs depending on whether the permit is single or multiple and whether you apply at the counter or online, and is payable when permission is granted. For in-person applications, you pay by revenue stamp. For online applications filed on or after October 1, 2026, revenue stamps cannot be used: you pay by convenience store or bank payment, and a separate payment processing fee applies (ISA: Fee Amounts and Payment Methods for Online Applications). An online application is possible only when filed together with an application such as a change of status of residence or an extension of period of stay. For the current amounts, see the ISA page “Application for Re-entry Permit” (in Japanese).

Standard processing period: Same day (as of October 2026)

Types of permit:

• Single-use: valid for one departure and return
• Multiple-use: allows unlimited departures and returns within the validity period

For those who travel frequently, we recommend applying for a multiple-use re-entry permit.

Using Special Re-entry Permission

No advance application is required. At the time of departure:

1. Present your passport and residence card (or special permanent resident certificate) to the immigration inspector at the port of departure.
2. Check the box on the embarkation card for re-entrants indicating a temporary departure with the intention to re-enter, submit the card, and tell the inspector that you wish to depart under Special Re-entry Permission.

Your status of residence will be maintained as long as you re-enter Japan within one year of departure (two years for special permanent residents) and within your period of stay.

Summary

Situation	Recommended procedure
Absence of one year or less (typical case)	Special Re-entry Permission (no advance application, no fee)
Absence exceeding one year	Regular re-entry permit (advance application required)
Possible prolonged overseas stay	Regular re-entry permit (extendable at embassy/consulate)
Not eligible for Special Re-entry Permission	Regular re-entry permit (advance application required)

How We Can Help

AEGIS International Administrative Firm, as a registered immigration specialist, assists with re-entry permit applications and other immigration procedures.

• Choosing the right option: We review whether Special Re-entry Permission is sufficient or a regular re-entry permit is needed, based on the length of your absence and your circumstances
• Filing the re-entry permit application: We prepare the application form and, at your request, submit it to the Immigration Services Agency as a registered immigration specialist
• Relationship with permanent residence: For those planning a long absence, we review how it relates to the timing of a permanent residence application

If you are planning a long trip abroad or are unsure about procedures before departure, please feel free to contact us.