Leaving Japan After Obtaining Permanent Residence

Leaving Japan After Obtaining Permanent Residence

Once Permission for Permanent Residence is granted, you can live in Japan without worrying about your period of stay. There is, however, one thing you need to be careful about: leaving Japan. Even after obtaining Permanent Residence, you may leave the country to visit your home country, travel, or go on business trips overseas. If you are not careful at such times, you can end up losing the Permanent Residence you worked so hard to obtain.

The Length of Your Absence After Obtaining Permanent Residence

The procedure differs depending on whether you will be outside Japan for less than 1 year or for longer. Even if you plan to be away for less than 1 year, if there is any possibility that your stay abroad may extend beyond that, you should complete the procedure for absences of 1 year or more. This is because once you have left Japan, the deadline cannot be extended.

When the Absence Is Less Than 1 Year

At the time of departure, you indicate to the immigration inspector at the airport or other point of departure that your departure is temporary and that you intend to re-enter Japan. Specifically, when leaving, you fill out a form called the “Embarkation and Disembarkation Card for Re-entrant” and check the box for “I am leaving Japan temporarily and intend to re-enter.” This allows you to re-enter Japan within 1 year of the date of departure. This is called “Special Re-entry Permit” (deemed re-entry). Since it only requires checking a box on a form, no fee is required.

When the Absence Is 1 Year or More

You must apply in advance for a “Re-entry Permit” at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your address. There are two types of Re-entry Permits: a single-use permit and a multiple-use permit allowing any number of entries and departures within the valid period. Both have a validity period of 5 years from the date of departure. The fees differ between the single-use and multiple-use permits. In addition to the fee, the application requires an application form, your passport, and your Residence Card.

What Happens If You Leave Without Obtaining a Re-entry Permit or Special Re-entry Permit, or Fail to Re-enter Within the Deadline?

In either case, you lose your current Status of Residence — that is, you lose your Permanent Residence. Therefore, if you wish to enter Japan again, you must start over from the visa application stage.

As described, the re-entry procedure is not particularly burdensome. However, if you neglect it, or fail to enter Japan within the re-entry deadline, you will lose your Permanent Residence.

Permission for Permanent Residence is not something that can be obtained quickly; it requires considerable effort and time leading up to approval. To avoid losing the Permanent Residence you went to such lengths to obtain, when leaving Japan, please be sure not to forget to obtain a Re-entry Permit or Special Re-entry Permit.