💡Important Notes
- You can apply for a residence period extension from 3 months before the expiry date on your Residence Card.
- If your residence card expires after you have submitted an application to the Immigration Bureau but before receiving your new residence card, additional procedures may be required to continue using National Health Insurance, and restrictions may be imposed on transactions involving your bank account.
- To avoid any disruption to your student life, please begin the renewal procedure as soon as you reach three months before the expiration date of your period of stay.
- YOU must submit your application for an extension of your period of stay before your current expiration date of your residence card. If you exceed your authorized period of stay by even 1 day you will be considered an illegal resident. You can apply either in person at the Immigration Bureau or online.
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.
[Notice of fee revision]
Starting in October 1, 2026, the application fee for an extension of your period of stay is revised (increased) as shown in the table below.
Ref: Fee Revision (Immigration Services Agency website)
Ref: Online Application for Residence Procedures (Immigration Services Agency website)
Contents (Application Procedures)
1. Request an issuance of forms from the International Center
2. Receive the necessary documents 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. *Submit it in Excel format. ・You will find a sample here. *Please be sure to check the sample as you prepare the form. | |
| 2 | Pictures of your Residence Card (both sides) *For holders of a Specified Residence Card (A combined Residence Card and My Number Card), a photo of the back side is not required. Please do not submit it under any circumstances. |
| 3 | Pictures of your Student ID Card (both sides) |
| 4 | Screenshot of course schedule in moodle+R or CAMPUS WEB |
| ・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 necessary documents 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
-
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 (7 pages) |
3 pages completed by student
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4 pages completed by the International Center
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| 2 | Certificate of Enrollment |
Available at the on-campus automated certificate-issuing machines (*Service will end in mid-December), OR have it issued at a convenience store via online application. *The certificate issuance service will change effective October 15, 2026. (See Study Support Site for details) * Digital certificates become invalid if printed on paper. If you are applying in person at an Immigration Bureau office, please have your certificate issued in paper format. |
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| 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 two to three 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-Certificate of Grades from the previous semester. *Available at the on-campus automated certificate-issuing machines ( *Service will end in mid-December), OR have it issued at a convenience store via online application. |
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4. Receive a new Residence Card
Once received a 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.
A revenue stamp is required to pay the issuance fee for your new residence card. You can purchase a revenue stamp at a post office. Revenue stamps can only be purchased with cash.
■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. What to Do after receiving your new Residence Card
■ 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 to the International Center via the Online Support Desk.
(For specified residence card, you do not need to submit an image of the back.)
In accordance with instructions from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the university is required to report the residence status of international students. Without a copy of your new residence card, the university cannot submit an accurate report.
In order to apply for tuition reduction, scholarships, and other financial support options through university, the submission of a new Residence Card to the International Center is mandatory.
■ Bank Procedures
If you have a bank account in Japan, please update your residence card information with your bank after receiving your new residence card. If the period of stay registered with your bank expires, restrictions may be imposed on transactions involving your bank account.
■ Procedures for your My Number Card
Even if you renew your period of stay, the expiration date of your My Number Card will not be automatically extended.
If your My Number Card expires, you will need to have it reissued, which takes time and involves additional fees. Therefore, please make sure to extend the validity of your My Number Card at your city/ward office before it expires.
However, if you obtain a new Specified Residence Card (integrated with the My Number Card) before your current period of stay expires, you do not need to complete this extension procedure at your city/ward office.
Regarding My Number Card Renewal (Immigration Bureau website)
■ Regarding National Health Insurance
If you do not have a My Number Card, you are expected to be issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Health Insurance (Shikaku Kakuninsho). Please contact your local municipal office.
If you have a My Number Card, refer to “Procedures for Your My Number Card” for details.