Extension of Validity of Re-Entry Permit
2024/1/4
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All categories of foreign nationals who have departed Japan and have a VALID *Resident Card and a VALID re-entry permit (including "minashi" special re-entry permit) may return to Japan
A foreigner holding a valid re-entry permit for Japan can apply for an extension of this re-entry permit if they are unable to re-enter Japan during its validity period due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or work/study commitments.
Applicants must hold either a New Zealand passport or a valid long-term New Zealand visa (resident, work, student) and must be residing in the top half of the North Island (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty Regions and Ruapehu District of Manawatu-Wanganui Region ONLY) to be eligible to apply at the Consulate-General of Japan. If you live in Canterbury, please contact the Consular Office in Christchurch. If you live elsewhere in the country, please consult the website of the Embassy of Japan in Wellington for required documentation and information on how to apply as it may differ.
You do not have to make an appointment to apply.
Simply bring in your application sometime during our consulor office hours: Monday to Friday : 9:00-12:00 or 13:00-15:30 only
The Consulate-General of Japan is closed on weekends, New Zealand public holidays and some Japanese public holidays. Please see here for a list of our public holidays for this year.
All categories of foreign nationals who have departed Japan and have a VALID *Resident Card and a VALID re-entry permit (including "minashi" special re-entry permit) may return to Japan
*We are not capable of answering questions about your Resident Card, status details etc... Please contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for further information
A foreigner holding a valid re-entry permit for Japan can apply for an extension of this re-entry permit if they are unable to re-enter Japan during its validity period due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or work/study commitments.
Applicants must hold either a New Zealand passport or a valid long-term New Zealand visa (resident, work, student) and must be residing in the top half of the North Island (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty Regions and Ruapehu District of Manawatu-Wanganui Region ONLY) to be eligible to apply at the Consulate-General of Japan. If you live in Canterbury, please contact the Consular Office in Christchurch. If you live elsewhere in the country, please consult the website of the Embassy of Japan in Wellington for required documentation and information on how to apply as it may differ.
You do not have to make an appointment to apply.
Simply bring in your application sometime during our consulor office hours: Monday to Friday : 9:00-12:00 or 13:00-15:30 only
The Consulate-General of Japan is closed on weekends, New Zealand public holidays and some Japanese public holidays. Please see here for a list of our public holidays for this year.
Please remember that we are unable to extend re-entry permits granted
under the Special Re-Entry Permit System (みなし再入国許可)
such as the sample below.
under the Special Re-Entry Permit System (みなし再入国許可)
such as the sample below.
Required Documentation - You can apply from 3 months before the expiration date of your period of stay
1. Valid passport
2. Application to Extend Re-Entry Permit form
3. Original Residence Card (在留カード)
4. Documents verifying the applicant's inability to return to Japan at this time
e.g. : medical certificate stating the applicant is unfit to travel
employer's letter stating the applicant is unable to travel due to work commitments
5. Fee
Please note:
We are unable to extend re-entry permits granted under the Special Re-Entry Permit System (みなし再入国許可)
Re-entry permit (including deemed re-entry permit) If you do not have documents indicating that you can re-enter Japan, such as those who lost their passport or residence card while leaving Japan, or those whose old passport was collected when a new passport was issued, you can obtain proof of the re-entry permit deadline in writing (application for certificate of re-entry permit deadline) through an agent at the Regional Immigration Bureau.
In addition, "agent" means a relative living with the person or a person who has a document (power of attorney) certifying that the person has received a mandate from the person.
- if the re-entry permit you wish to extend is in an old, expired passport then you must submit this passport also
- we are unable to extend re-entry permit granted under the Special Re-Entry Permit System (みなし再入国許可)
2. Application to Extend Re-Entry Permit form
3. Original Residence Card (在留カード)
4. Documents verifying the applicant's inability to return to Japan at this time
e.g. : medical certificate stating the applicant is unfit to travel
employer's letter stating the applicant is unable to travel due to work commitments
5. Fee
- due when the extension has been issued
Please note:
We are unable to extend re-entry permits granted under the Special Re-Entry Permit System (みなし再入国許可)
- Additional documentation may be required.
- All applicants must appear in person when applying for application or collection of visa
- No documents other than your passport and Residence Card/Certificate of Alien Registration will be returned.
- Applications to extend your re-entry permit must be made before it expires.
- Re-entry permits can only be extended for a maximum of one year past the date of expiry.
Re-entry permit (including deemed re-entry permit) If you do not have documents indicating that you can re-enter Japan, such as those who lost their passport or residence card while leaving Japan, or those whose old passport was collected when a new passport was issued, you can obtain proof of the re-entry permit deadline in writing (application for certificate of re-entry permit deadline) through an agent at the Regional Immigration Bureau.
In addition, "agent" means a relative living with the person or a person who has a document (power of attorney) certifying that the person has received a mandate from the person.