💡Important Notes
- You can apply for a residence period extension from 3 months before the expiry date on your Residence Card.
- If you exceed your authorized period of stay by even 1 day you will be considered an illegal resident.
- It is essential that you apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau by YOURSELF before the date of expiration.
In order for "student" resident status holders to apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau, in addition to the forms filled in by yourself, you will need forms filled out by your affiliated institution (Ritsumeikan University). Please follow the following steps to have the necessary documents.
Contents (Application Procedures)
1. Request an issuance of forms from the International Center
3. Prepare application documents and apply at the Immigration Bureau
4. Receive a new Residence Card
5. Submit a new Residence Card to the International Center
Process Chart
1. Request an issuance of forms from the International Center
In order for “student” resident status holders to apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau, in addition to the forms filled in by yourself, you will need forms filled out by your affiliated institution (International Center). Please follow the following steps to have those forms issued.
■Eligibility
- Your period of stay expires within three months
- Attending school at the time of application to the International Center
- Residing in Japan at the time of application to the Immigration Bureau (Applications cannot be made from outside Japan even online)
■Required documents
| 1 | Application for Extension of Period of Stay (3 Sheets, completed by applicant) |
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・You can download the application here. ・You will find a sample here. |
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| 2 | Pictures of your Residence Card (both sides) |
| 3 | Pictures of your Student ID Card (both sides) |
| 4 | Screenshot of course schedule in manaba+R |
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・Doctoral students are not required to submit. |
■Where to submit
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Apply to the university via this Online Support Desk.
- Choose “1. Extend the status of residence”, fill out your information and attach all required documents on “Attachments”.
■Processing time
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Approximately two weeks
- During long holiday periods (summer/new year holidays), it may take more than two weeks, so please apply well in advance.
2. Receive the "Application for Extension of Period of Stay (For Organization)" (2 pages) from the International Center
■How to receive
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Via Online Support Desk
- You will receive a notification email to your university email address when it is sent via Online Support Desk.
3. Prepare application documents and apply at the Immigration Bureau
Prepare the documents listed below and apply for an extension of period of stay in person at the Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over the area you have registered on your Residence Card.
■Processing time
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Approximately one month
- Depending on your past record and status of credit acquisition, it may take more than one month.
■Required documents
- Depending on the decision of the Immigration Bureau, documents other than those listed below may be required.
| 1 | Application for Extension or Period of Stay (5pages) | 3 pages completed by student | |
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2 pages completed by the International Center |
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| 2 | Certificate of Enrollment | Available at the on-campus automated certificate-issuing machines, via online application, OR certificate issuance office at Manabi Station (See here for details) | |
| 3 |
Academic Transcript |
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| 4 | ID Photograph | 4.0cm×3.0cm, Must have been taken within the past 6 months. This is to be pasted onto the first page of the application form. | |
| 5 | Passport | Bring the originals with you. Copies not allowed. | |
| 6 |
Current Residence Card |
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7 |
Others |
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Those who have taken a leave of absence in the past |
Certificate of Attendance (zaigakukikan shoumeisho) This certificate can be requested at Manabi station on campus. It will take one business day at least. |
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| Those who have exceeded or will exceed the standard program duration |
・For undergraduate students Credit acquisition report
・For graduate students Dissertation progress report and Research Advising plan for Completion
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Those who were enrolled at another school and applying for an extension for the first time since enrolling at Ritsumeikan University |
・If you are a new student, Certificate of Grades (and a Certificate of Class Attendance, if available) from the institution where you were previously enrolled is needed. ・If you completed your previous degree at Ritsumeikan University, you can request the certificate on campus or online. |
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4. Receive a new Residence Card
Once received the postcard from the Immigration Bureau notifying you of the result of your application for an extension of period of stay, go pick up your new Residence Card.
■Required documents for in-person pick up
- Bring the documents listed on the postcard.
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You also need to pay using 6,000 yen revenue stamp, which can be purchased at post offices and some convenience stores.
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*Notice of fee revision
Fees for status of residence procedures, etc. have been revised from April 1, 2025. The fee for renewal of status of residence at the immigration office was changed from 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen. Please note that online procedures are less expensive than those at the counter. For more details, please refer to the following page of Immigration Services Agency.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00518.html?hl=en
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*Notice of fee revision
■For those who have or plan to have a part-time job
- Be sure to re-apply for “permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted” when picking up a new Residence Card.
5. Submit a new Residence Card to the International Center
- As soon as you receive your new Residence Card, please make sure to submit photos of it (both sides) to the International Center via the Online Support Desk.
- Without the most up-to-date information on your Residence Card, the university is not able to report that you are residing in Japan with a valid resident status in case a governmental organization, such as the Ministry of Justice, inquires about your enrollment status.