Special Re-entry Permit: The 1-Year Rule Before a Trip Home

Many foreign nationals are likely planning to temporarily return to their home countries for the year-end and New Year holidays or the Lunar New Year. When a person residing in Japan with a Status of Residence temporarily departs and then returns, they generally must either obtain a “Re-entry Permit” before departure or depart under a “Special Re-entry Permit” at the airport or port. The Special Re-entry Permit is a convenient system that does not require prior application or a fee, but you must return within one year from the date of departure (or by the expiration date of your Period of Stay, whichever comes first), and it cannot be extended while you are overseas. This article clarifies the differences between a Special Re-entry Permit and a Re-entry Permit, procedures for departure, precautions when your Period of Stay is nearing expiration or while an application for extension is pending, and the impact of long departures on your Status of Residence, for both foreign nationals themselves and HR professionals managing temporary returns of foreign employees.

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1. Conclusion: 5 Key Points to Know Before Temporary Return

• Foreign nationals residing with a Status of Residence and holding a valid passport (and a Residence Card for mid- to long-term residents) can generally depart with a Special Re-entry Permit. No prior application or fee is required. However, those with a Period of Stay of “3 months” or less and those with a “Temporary Visitor” Status of Residence are not eligible.
• Return under a Special Re-entry Permit must be within one year from the date of departure. If the Period of Stay expires earlier than one year, it must be by the expiration date of the Period of Stay. Special Permanent Residents have a two-year period from the date of departure.
• A Special Re-entry Permit cannot be extended overseas (Immigration Control Act Article 26-2, Paragraph 3). If there is a possibility of a departure exceeding one year, consider obtaining a Re-entry Permit (maximum 5 years, within the Period of Stay) before departure.
• The fee for a Re-entry Permit is not subject to the revision of Immigration Services Fees on October 1, 2026, and remains 4,000 yen (single) or 7,000 yen (multiple) for counter applications.
• Long periods of departure may be evaluated as a negative factor in the examination for an Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and for Specified Skilled Worker (i), the period of departure is included in the cumulative 5 years.

2. Differences Between Special Re-entry Permit and Re-entry Permit

The Special Re-entry Permit is a system stipulated in Article 26-2 of the Immigration Control Act. If a person expresses their “intention to re-enter” when departing, it is deemed that they have obtained a Re-entry Permit under Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the same Act.

Item	Special Re-entry Permit	Re-entry Permit
Basis	Immigration Control Act Article 26-2 (Special Permanent Residents: Special Act on Immigration Control)	Immigration Control Act Article 26 (Special Permanent Residents: Special Act on Immigration Control)
Prior Application	Not required (intention expressed upon departure)	Application at a regional Immigration Services Agency office before departure
Fee	None	4,000 yen for single, 7,000 yen for multiple (counter application)
Validity Period	1 year from the date of departure (or until the Period of Stay expires, whichever comes first). 2 years for Special Permanent Residents.	Maximum 5 years within the Period of Stay (6 years for Special Permanent Residents)
Extension Overseas	Not possible	Can apply for extension at Japanese diplomatic missions abroad (within 1 year, and within 6 years from the date the permit became effective)
Main Cases Not Eligible/Not Granted	(Not eligible) Those with a Period of Stay of “3 months” or less, Temporary Visitor, those undergoing Status of Residence revocation procedures, etc.	(Not granted) Those currently issued a written detention order, those deemed inappropriate for a Re-entry Permit.

The Special Re-entry Permit is a system suitable for “temporary returns where you will definitely come back within one year.” If there is a possibility of a long departure or if your plans during your return are unclear, it is safer to obtain a Re-entry Permit.

3. How to Use a Special Re-entry Permit

3-1. Those Not Eligible

The Immigration Services Agency advises that the following individuals are not eligible for a Special Re-entry Permit and must obtain a regular Re-entry Permit before departure:

• Those undergoing Status of Residence revocation procedures
• Those subject to withholding of departure confirmation
• Those issued a written detention order
• Those residing with a “Designated Activities” Status of Residence while their refugee recognition application is pending
• Those certified by the Minister of Justice as having reasonable grounds to believe that they may engage in acts detrimental to the interests or public security of Japan, or that a Re-entry Permit is necessary for fair immigration control.

3-2. What to Do Upon Departure

1. Bring your valid passport and, for mid- to long-term residents, your Residence Card. Mid- to long-term residents without a Residence Card are not eligible for a Special Re-entry Permit (Immigration Control Act Article 26-2, Paragraph 1). Special Permanent Residents should bring their passport and Special Permanent Resident Certificate.

1. At the airport or port, check the box “I am departing temporarily and intend to re-enter” on the Re-entry Departure Card (Re-entry ED Card).

1. Present the Re-entry ED Card to the immigration inspector and state that you wish to depart under a Special Re-entry Permit.

Forgetting to check the box could result in you departing without expressing your intention to re-enter. Please pay special attention when departing.

3-3. Deadline for Return

Case	Deadline for return with Special Re-entry Permit
Period of Stay is more than 1 year from the date of departure	1 year from the date of departure
Period of Stay expires within 1 year from the date of departure	Until the expiration of the Period of Stay
Special Permanent Resident	2 years from the date of departure

A Special Re-entry Permit cannot be extended overseas (Immigration Control Act, Article 26-2, Paragraph 3). If you become unable to return by the deadline due to illness or family circumstances, you will not be able to re-enter with that Special Re-entry Permit. Before departing, please confirm both your planned return date and your Period of Stay.

4. Cases where a Re-entry Permit should be obtained and procedures

4-1. Cases suitable for a Re-entry Permit

• There is a risk that your return will exceed one year due to childbirth, nursing care, medical treatment for illness, etc.
• Your plans during your return are undecided, and you are unsure if you can return within one year.
• You fall under the cases not covered by the Special Re-entry Permit (§3-1).
• You plan to enter and depart multiple times and wish to obtain a multiple Re-entry Permit.

The validity period of a Re-entry Permit is set within a range not exceeding 5 years from the date the permit becomes effective (Immigration Control Act, Article 26, Paragraph 3), and the Immigration Services Agency states that it is determined “within the scope of the current Period of Stay.” If you departed with a Re-entry Permit and are recognized to have a compelling reason for not being able to re-enter within the validity period, you can apply for an extension at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad (Japanese consular officer, etc.) for a period not exceeding 1 year and not exceeding 6 years from the date the permit became effective (same article, Paragraphs 5 and 6).

4-2. Outline of Procedures

Item	Content (from the Immigration Services Agency’s “Application for Re-entry Permit” page)
Time of Application	Before departure
Place of Application	Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residence
Applicant	The applicant themselves. In addition, employees of the workplace, etc., who have received approval for Authorized to File Applications on Behalf of Applicant, Attorneys or Administrative Scriveners who have notified the Director of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, legal representatives, etc.
Main Documents to Submit	Application for Re-entry Permit, presentation of Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate) and passport
Fee (at counter)	Single entry: 4,000 yen, Multiple entries: 7,000 yen (Revenue Stamp)
Standard Processing Period	Same day

If the applicant is under 16 years old, or if they cannot appear in person due to illness or other reasons, a relative or cohabitant deemed appropriate by the Director of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau may apply. Reasons such as being busy with work, commuting, or attending school are not considered to fall under this category.

4-3. Fees: Not subject to the October 1st revision

While the fees for Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, and Permanent Residency Permit were revised from October 1, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency’s guidance indicates that the fees for Re-entry Permit have not changed.

Application Method	Single Entry	Multiple Entries
Counter Application (Revenue Stamp)	4,000 yen	7,000 yen
Online Application (Application Fee)	3,500 yen	6,500 yen
Online Application (Total payment including 220 yen settlement fee)	3,720 yen	6,720 yen

Online applications for Re-entry Permit are limited to cases where they are made concurrently with an Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, or Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence. For online applications accepted after October 1, 2026, the fees will be paid not by Revenue Stamp, but by convenience store payment or bank payment to a business designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency. The sender of the email requesting payment is specified, so please be careful of fraudulent emails (“How to Identify Fraudulent Emails Impersonating Immigration“). The revised Immigration Services Fee is explained in “Immigration Services Fee Revision on October 1“.

5. Those with an approaching Period of Stay or those with an ongoing renewal application

5-1. If your Period of Stay expires within one year

The deadline for return with a Special Re-entry Permit is until the expiration of your Period of Stay if it comes first. If your temporary return is scheduled to span across your Period of Stay, consider applying for an Application for Extension of Period of Stay before your departure. Those with a Period of Stay of 6 months or more can apply for an extension from 3 months before the expiration of their Period of Stay. The Immigration Services Agency states that in truly unavoidable special circumstances, such as long-term overseas business trips or assignments due to work orders, or returning to one’s home country for childbirth, applications may be accepted more than 3 months in advance, and advises to inquire with the relevant office before applying. The timing of application is also explained in “When can I apply for an Extension of Period of Stay?“.

5-2. Departing while an application for renewal or change is pending

If you apply for an Extension of Period of Stay or Change of Status of Residence and the result is not issued by the expiration of your Period of Stay, you can continue to reside under your previous Status of Residence until the earlier of the date the result is issued or two months after the expiration of your Period of Stay (Special Grace Period, Immigration Control Act, Article 20, Paragraph 6. Article 21, Paragraph 4 applies mutatis mutandis to Extension of Period of Stay). Since the deadline for return with a Special Re-entry Permit is based on the Period of Stay at the time of departure, and there will also be notification of the result and receipt of a new Residence Card, please confirm with the relevant office before departure regarding the handling of temporary returns while an application is pending. For those who have a Re-entry Permit, it is stipulated that if an application for renewal or change is made, and it is deemed appropriate, the validity period of the Re-entry Permit can be extended until the end of the Special Grace Period (Immigration Control Act, Article 26, Paragraph 4).

6. Impact of Long Absences from Japan on Status of Residence

6-1. Review of Application for Extension of Period of Stay

The Immigration Services Agency’s “Guidelines for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay” states that long-term departures under a Re-entry Permit (including Special Re-entry Permit) will be evaluated as a negative factor unless there is a legitimate reason. When a return to one’s home country is prolonged, it is important to keep records that can explain the reason (e.g., family illness, childbirth). For the approach to renewing a spouse visa, please refer to “Spouse Visa Renewal | Required Documents, Fees, and Key Review Points.”

6-2. Total 5-Year Period for Specified Skilled Worker (i)

The total Period of Stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (generally within 5 years) includes periods of departure under a Re-entry Permit (including periods of departure under a Special Re-entry Permit). However, periods during which re-entry was not possible due to unavoidable circumstances such as entry restrictions related to COVID-19 (in addition to periods of maternity leave, childcare leave, or leave due to illness or injury) will be excluded from the total period only if an application is submitted with supporting documents and approved. For more details, please refer to “Total 5 Years for Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Periods Not Counted and Extension to 6 Years.”

7. What to Do if You Lose Your Passport or Residence Card While Abroad

If you have lost your passport or Residence Card while abroad under a Re-entry Permit (including a Special Re-entry Permit), or if your old passport was collected upon issuance of a new passport, and you do not have documents proving your ability to re-enter Japan, you can obtain a certificate of the Re-entry Permit’s expiration date from a Regional Immigration Services Bureau, etc., through an agent, by submitting a “Request for Certificate of Re-entry Permit Expiration.” An agent must be a relative living with the applicant or a person holding a document (power of attorney) proving that they have been entrusted by the applicant.

Furthermore, mid- to long-term residents who have lost their Residence Card must apply for re-issuance within 14 days from the day they learned of the loss (if they learned of it while overseas, within 14 days from the first day they entered Japan thereafter) (Article 19-12, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act). For the re-issuance process, please refer to “Lost Your Residence Card? Explanation of Re-issuance.”

8. For Foreign Nationals and Company Representatives

8-1. For Foreign Nationals: Pre-Departure Checklist

1. Check the Period of Stay on your Residence Card and the validity period of your passport.

1. Confirm that your planned return date is before the earlier of “1 year from the date of departure” and “the expiration date of your Status of Residence.”

1. If there is a risk of exceeding 1 year, apply for a Re-entry Permit before departure.

1. If your Period of Stay expires while you are abroad, consult about an Application for Extension of Period of Stay before departure.

1. On the day of departure, carry your passport and Residence Card, and check the checkbox on the Re-entry ED card.

8-2. For HR Professionals: When Receiving a Temporary Return Application

A foreign employee’s temporary return to their home country is also a matter of leave management for the company. When receiving a leave application, confirming the following points with the employee can prevent situations such as being unable to return or missing the renewal deadline.

Item to Confirm	Reason
Return period and Period of Stay expiration	If the Period of Stay expires while abroad, the deadline for returning under a Special Re-entry Permit also becomes the Period of Stay expiration date.
Possibility of return exceeding 1 year	A Special Re-entry Permit cannot be extended overseas.
Whether an Application for Extension or Change is pending	Due to its relation to the Special Grace Period and the receipt of results.
Total period for Specified Skilled Worker (i)	The period of departure is included in the total 5 years.
Reason for long return	May be required for explanation during the next renewal review.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I will be returning home for two weeks during the New Year holidays. Do I need to apply for anything?

A. If you have sufficient time until your Period of Stay expires and are eligible for a Special Re-entry Permit, no prior application is necessary. When departing, bring your passport and Residence Card, check the box on the Re-entry ED card, and state that you wish to depart under a Special Re-entry Permit.

Q2. After departing under a Special Re-entry Permit, I became unable to return within one year. Can I extend it?

A. A Special Re-entry Permit cannot be extended overseas (Article 26-2, Paragraph 3 of the Immigration Control Act). If the deadline passes, you will not be able to re-enter Japan with that Special Re-entry Permit. If you realize there is a risk of not being able to return, please consult with a specialist as soon as possible.

Q3. My Period of Stay expires in 4 months. Can I return to Japan with a special re-entry permit?

A. The deadline for returning with a special re-entry permit is your Period of Stay expiration date. If you plan to return before your Period of Stay expires, you can use it. However, if your Period of Stay will expire while you are abroad, please consider applying for an Application for Extension of Period of Stay before you depart.

Q4. Did the Fee for a Re-entry Permit increase from October?

A. According to the Immigration Services Agency, the Fee for a Re-entry Permit has not changed. For counter applications, it is 4,000 yen for a single entry and 7,000 yen for multiple entries. For online applications (when submitted concurrently with an Extension of Period of Stay, etc.), it is 3,500 yen for a single entry and 6,500 yen for multiple entries, plus a settlement fee of 220 yen.

Q5. Do Permanent Residents also need to return within 1 year?

A. For Permanent Residents, the validity period of a special re-entry permit is 1 year from the date of departure. In the case of Permanent Residents who do not have a specified Period of Stay, there is no shortening due to the Period of Stay expiration, but if there is a risk of exceeding 1 year, it is necessary to obtain a Re-entry Permit (maximum 5 years) before departure. Please also check the expiration date of your Residence Card.

Q6. I live in Miyazaki. Where do I apply for a Re-entry Permit?

A. The application should be submitted to the regional Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. In Miyazaki City, there is the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau (Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Government Building 2F, 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City).

10. Summary: Check the earlier of “1 year” or “Period of Stay expiration date”

A special re-entry permit is a convenient system that does not require prior application or a Fee, but the deadline for return is the earlier of 1 year from the date of departure or the Period of Stay expiration date, and it cannot be extended overseas. For returns that may exceed 1 year, it is important to obtain a Re-entry Permit before departure, and if your Period of Stay will expire while you are abroad, consult about an extension before departure. The Fee for a Re-entry Permit is not subject to the October 1 revision, and remains 4,000 yen and 7,000 yen for counter applications. Long periods of departure can also affect the examination for extensions and the total period for Specified Skilled Worker (i), so once your temporary return schedule is decided, compare your Period of Stay expiration date and return period as early as possible.

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As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists foreign nationals with immigration and residence procedures, such as Re-entry Permits and Extension of Period of Stay.

For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.

• Confirmation of Period of Stay expiration date and return period before temporary return, and consultation on the necessity of a Re-entry Permit
• Preparation of documents for Re-entry Permit application and Authorized to File Applications on Behalf of Applicant
• Scheduling for Extension of Period of Stay for those whose Period of Stay will expire while abroad
• Consultation from companies regarding the management of temporary returns for foreign employees

Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.

📩 Contact us here

📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851

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This article was written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates may change in the future. For actual applications, please check the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.

Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications Satoshi Nakayama

Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office

Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Sources (Primary Information)

• Immigration Services Agency “Special Re-entry Permit (Immigration Control Act Article 26-2)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/procedures/minashisainyukoku_00001.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Application for Re-entry Permit” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/procedures/16-5.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Regarding Fee Amounts and Payment Methods for Online Applications (Applicable only to applications from October 1, 2026 onwards)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Regarding the Revision of Immigration Services Fee Amounts, etc. on October 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00644.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html
• Immigration Services Agency “What is the Special Grace Period?” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/tokureikikan_00001.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Guidelines for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyuukokukanri07_00058.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Total Period of Stay” (Specified Skilled Worker) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00233.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/fukuoka/index.html
• e-Gov Law Search “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Articles 19-12, 20, 21, 26, 26-2) https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319