Visa & residencyVisas and renewals

Re-entry permit in Japan: when the special re-entry permit is enough

Re-entry permit Japan: trips under 1 year need only the free special re-entry permit at the airport. Longer trips need a permit, ¥4,000 or ¥7,000.

By japanhow editors Updated 6 min read

Special re-entry permit
Up to 1 year, no fee
Re-entry permit
Up to 5 years
Counter fee
¥4,000 single, ¥7,000 multiple
Processing
Same day
Short answer

As of October 2026, most foreign residents of Japan leaving for under 1 year don't need to apply for anything: they use the special re-entry permit (みなし再入国許可) by ticking a box on the re-entry ED card at departure. It lasts 1 year or until your residence card's period of stay ends, and can't be extended abroad. For longer trips, apply before leaving for a re-entry permit (再入国許可): up to 5 years, ¥4,000 single or ¥7,000 multiple at the counter. Miss the deadline and your status of residence ends.

You need to apply for a re-entry permit in Japan before you leave only if you will be away for more than 1 year, or beyond your period of stay. For shorter trips, most foreign residents use the free special re-entry permit (みなし再入国許可): you tick a box on the re-entry ED card when you leave. A regular re-entry permit (再入国許可) lasts up to 5 years and costs ¥4,000 single or ¥7,000 multiple at the counter. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

Do you need a re-entry permit to leave Japan?

Usually not. The special re-entry permit covers you if all of these apply:

  • you have a status of residence, other than Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) or a period of stay of 3 months or less
  • you have a valid passport and, as a mid- to long-term resident, your residence card (在留カード)
  • you will be back within 1 year of leaving, and before your period of stay ends

It also covers permanent residents and spouse, work, student and dependent statuses. There is no limit on how many times you use it.

You must get a regular re-entry permit instead if you expect to be away more than 1 year. ISA also lists a few groups who can’t use the special permit, such as people in status-cancellation proceedings or refugee applicants on Designated Activities.

Special re-entry permit vs re-entry permit

Special re-entry permit (みなし再入国許可) Re-entry permit (再入国許可)
How you get it Tick the box on the re-entry ED card at departure Apply at your regional immigration office before leaving
Fee None ¥4,000 single, ¥7,000 multiple (counter)
Validity 1 year from departure, or your expiry date if sooner Up to 5 years, within your period of stay
Extend while abroad? No Yes, at a Japanese embassy or consulate, up to 1 year more
Special permanent residents 2 years Up to 6 years

Validity never goes past your period of stay. If your residence card’s period of stay ends in 4 months, you must be back within 4 months, whichever permit you use.

How do you use the special re-entry permit at the airport?

Leaving on a special re-entry permit
  1. You Before the trip Check your passport is valid and your period of stay runs past your return date.
  2. You At departure immigration Take a re-entry ED card (再入国出国記録). Tick the box saying you are leaving temporarily and will return.
  3. Immigration officer At the counter Hand over the card with your passport and residence card. Say you want to leave on a special re-entry permit.
  4. You Return in time Within 1 year of departure, or by your period of stay's expiry if that comes first.

How do you apply for a re-entry permit?

Apply before you leave, at the regional immigration office for your address. Counter hours are weekdays 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. The standard processing time is the same day.

Bring:

  • the re-entry permit application form (再入国許可申請書), from ISA’s website
  • your residence card (or special permanent resident certificate) to show
  • your passport to show, or a written reason if you can’t show it
  • revenue stamps (収入印紙) for the fee, stuck on the fee form, if granted

An employer or school staff member approved by the bureau, a travel agency, a registered lawyer or a 行政書士 can submit for you. Busy work or commuting is not a valid reason for a relative to apply for you.

Single or multiple?

A single permit (¥4,000) covers one trip out and back. A multiple permit (¥7,000) lets you leave and return as often as you like until it expires. These fees have applied since April 2025 and did not change in October 2026.

Can you apply online?

Only together with an application for renewal, change of status or acquisition of status. Online the fee is ¥3,500 single or ¥6,500 multiple. From October 1, 2026, online fees are paid by convenience store or bank payment, with a ¥220 payment fee: ¥3,720 or ¥6,720 in total. ISA’s payment emails come only from @service-dgft.com and @veritrans.jp.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

If you don’t return before your permit expires, the permit is no longer valid and your status of residence ends. ISA’s own COVID-era guidance treated people in that position as needing a new Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) to return. If this may happen to you, ask your regional immigration office or a 行政書士 about your case before the deadline. See our Certificate of Eligibility guide.

Stuck abroad on a regular re-entry permit?

Extend at an embassy

If you have a reasonable reason you can't return in time, a Japanese embassy or consulate can extend a regular re-entry permit by up to 1 year, but not beyond 6 years from when it took effect. A special re-entry permit can't be extended.

Can you travel while your renewal is pending?

Yes. ISA says you can leave on a re-entry permit or special re-entry permit while a renewal or change of status is pending. On a special re-entry permit, you must come back by 2 months after your old expiry date or 1 year from leaving, whichever is earlier, and collect the result before those 2 months end. After that, you would be overstaying even though you applied. Keep reachable in case the bureau contacts you. See our visa renewal guide.

Do long trips abroad affect your next renewal?

They can. ISA’s renewal and change guideline counts long absences abroad on a re-entry permit, including the special one, against you unless there is a good reason. Planning to apply for permanent residency later? Check our permanent residency requirements guide before a long trip.

Lost your passport or card abroad?

If you lose your passport or residence card while abroad on either permit, a relative living with you or someone you authorize can ask the immigration office for a certificate showing your re-entry permit’s validity (再入国許可期限証明願). If you renewed your passport, carry both old and new passports, or ask the bureau to transfer valid stamps to the new one.

More guides: change of status of residence, spouse visa.

Questions people ask

Do permanent residents need a re-entry permit in Japan?

Not for trips of up to 1 year: the special re-entry permit covers permanent residents too. If you may be away longer than 1 year, apply for a re-entry permit, valid up to 5 years, before you leave.

Where do I get the special re-entry permit at the airport?

At departure immigration. Fill in the re-entry ED card (再入国出国記録), tick the box saying you are leaving temporarily and will return, and hand it over with your passport and residence card. Tell the officer you are leaving on a special re-entry permit.

Can I extend my special re-entry permit from abroad?

No. ISA says the special re-entry permit can't be extended outside Japan. Only a regular re-entry permit can be extended, at a Japanese embassy or consulate, by up to 1 year and not beyond 6 years from when it took effect.

How much does a re-entry permit cost in Japan?

At the counter, ¥4,000 for a single permit or ¥7,000 for a multiple permit, paid in revenue stamps. Online it is ¥3,500 or ¥6,500 plus a ¥220 payment fee, but only together with a renewal or change of status.

What happens if I don't return before my re-entry permit expires?

Your status of residence ends. To come back, you need a new visa, usually with a new Certificate of Eligibility, as if moving to Japan for the first time.

Sources

  1. みなし再入国許可 (Special re-entry permit), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  2. 再入国許可 (Re-entry permit, explanation), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  3. 再入国許可申請 (Re-entry permit application), Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  4. Online application fees and payment from October 1, 2026, Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  5. 出入国審査・在留審査Q&A, Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  6. 在留資格の変更、在留期間の更新許可のガイドライン, Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  7. 再入国許可により出国した方の本邦入国に係る取扱い等について, Immigration Services Agency of Japan (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
  8. 出入国管理及び難民認定法 (Articles 26 and 26-2), e-Gov (Digital Agency) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)

Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.

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