【2026】When to Apply for Extension of Period of Stay? 45 Days Before is a Guideline

It is often thought that applications for Extension of Period of Stay or Change of Status of Residence can be submitted “by the expiration date of the Period of Stay.” However, in August 2026, the Immigration Services Agency published guidance requesting that individuals endeavor to submit Applications for Extension of Period of Stay between three months and 45 days prior to the expiration date. This is due to the new Residence Card and Specific Residence Card introduced in June 2026. If the Period of Stay expires, even if the stay itself remains lawful, essential aspects of daily life, such as My Number Cards and bank accounts, may become suspended. In this article, an Administrative Scrivener will clarify the recommended application timing, its reasons, and exceptional handling.

How to interpret the new design Residence Card itself is explained in “[August 2026] How to Confirm the Period of Stay on the New Design Residence Card,” and an overview of the Specific Residence Card system is provided in “What is a Specific Residence Card?” Please refer to these as well.

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1. Conclusion: Extensions “Between 3 Months and 45 Days Prior,” Changes “Promptly”

The recommended application timing provided by the Immigration Services Agency varies depending on the type of procedure.

Type of Procedure	Recommended Application Timing by the Immigration Services Agency
Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Endeavor to apply between three months and 45 days prior to the expiration of the Period of Stay
Application for Change of Status of Residence	Apply promptly once the reason for the change of Status of Residence arises

It is important to note here that this guidance takes the form of a request, stating “please endeavor” or “we ask that you do.” It does not mean that applications cannot be submitted after 45 days prior.

At the same time, the Immigration Services Agency has also clearly indicated the following: that it does not necessarily promise a disposition within the Period of Stay, including cases where the necessary documents for the application are not complete.

In other words, submitting an application 45 days in advance does not guarantee that a decision will be issued within the Period of Stay. Submitting early is an action “to increase the possibility of receiving a disposition within the Period of Stay,” but it is not a guarantee.

Furthermore, this guidance applies to individuals who possess a Residence Card or Specific Residence Card and who wish to receive permission within their Period of Stay.

2. Why Has the Immigration Services Agency Started Requesting “Early Applications”?

Even if a decision is not issued by the expiration date of the Period of Stay, the stay remains lawful as long as an application has been submitted (refer to the Special exemption period in the next section). This system has existed for some time, and in that sense, this guidance does not concern a new system.

What has changed is the cost to daily life of exceeding the expiration date.

With the amended Immigration Control Act, which came into effect on June 14, 2026, the format of the Residence Card was updated, and the operation of the Specific Residence Card, which integrates the My Number Card and Residence Card, began. Consequently, there has been an increase in situations where the expiration date of the Period of Stay is directly linked to the validity period of the identification document.

As a result, a situation can arise where “the stay is lawful, but daily life procedures are suspended.” The Immigration Services Agency explains that it is calling for early applications to avoid the occurrence of such restrictions on daily life.

3. What is the “Special exemption period”? — The Precise Meaning of the Two-Month Grace Period

The Special exemption period refers to the period during which individuals who have submitted an Application for Extension of Period of Stay or an Application for Change of Status of Residence can continue to stay if a disposition is not made by the expiration date of their Period of Stay.

According to the Immigration Services Agency’s explanation, the Special exemption period lasts until whichever of the following occurs first:

• When a disposition is made
• When the day two months after the expiration date of the Period of Stay ends

During this period, individuals can continue to stay with their previous Status of Residence and engage in their previous activities.

This means it is “up to two months,” and not always a full two months. If a disposition is issued earlier, the Special exemption period ends at that point.

Please note that upon application, a statement indicating that the application is pending will be recorded in the “Application for Extension of Period of Stay, etc.” field on the back of the Residence Card (excluding online applications). If the Period of Stay stated on the front of the Residence Card has passed, please check the back as well.

The Special exemption period is a system to ensure that “the stay remains lawful,” but it does not guarantee that “daily life will continue as before.” This is a point that is often confused.

4. Two Essential Aspects of Daily Life That May Be Suspended During the Special exemption period

The Immigration Services Agency specifically cites the following two:

4-1. My Number Card / Specific Residence Card

To continue using a My Number Card (including cases where a Specific Residence Card is used as a My Number Card) as an identification document or electronic certificate, it is necessary to complete the validity period renewal procedure at a municipal office before the expiration date (Period of Stay expiration date) on the card surface passes.

If the expiration date passes without completing the procedures, these services will become unavailable. Even if you are within the special exemption period and your Status of Residence itself is lawful, separate measures are required for this matter.

4-2. Deposit Accounts

Regarding deposit accounts, if you do not notify the financial institution by the Period of Stay expiration date, transactions may be restricted from the following day onwards.

As the phrase “may be restricted” indicates, it is not definitively certain that this will happen, but if the account is used for receiving salary or paying rent, the impact will not be insignificant.

What May Be Suspended	Reference Date	What to Do
Use of My Number Card / Specific Residence Card for identity verification / as an electronic certificate	Expiration date on the card (Period of Stay expiration date)	Renewal procedure for the validity period at the municipal office
Deposit account transactions	Period of Stay expiration date	Notification to the financial institution

Please note that both are procedures at different counters than those for applications to the Immigration Services Agency. The Immigration Services Agency also advises that when the Period of Stay approaches its expiration, these measures should be taken in advance.

5. When Can Those with a Period of Stay of 3 Months or Less Apply?

The guideline “from 3 months before expiration” does not physically apply to those with a Period of Stay of 3 months or less.

Regarding this point, the Immigration Services Agency states that those who are not mid- to long-term residents and have a Period of Stay of 3 months or less can apply from approximately half of their Period of Stay has passed.

For example, if the Period of Stay is 3 months, the idea is that one can apply from the point when approximately one and a half months have passed.

6. Two Cases Where “3 Months to 45 Days Before” Does Not Apply

The Immigration Services Agency lists the following two cases as cases for which separate guidance is provided, and excludes them from the aforementioned guideline.

6-1. Application for Change of Status of Residence from International Students Aiming to Start Work in April

Similar to new graduate recruitment, the Change of Status of Residence for international students whose work is scheduled to start in April is handled under a separately announced framework. The Immigration Services Agency publishes guidance annually for those planning to start work in April of that year. For general information on changing from Student to a work Status of Residence, please also refer to “Change of Status of Residence from Student to Employment | 2026 Latest Guide.”

6-2. Application for Change of Status of Residence from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker

This is not a case where the guideline is lenient; rather, an earlier application is required. The Immigration Services Agency provides the following guidance to those involved in the Technical Intern Training System and Specified Skilled Worker System:

• Processing of an Application for Change of Status of Residence takes approximately 1 to 2 months (it may take longer during busy periods)
• Therefore, please apply at least 2 months before the scheduled start date of employment as a Specified Skilled Worker

Furthermore, the following points are important to note:

While the principle is that “previous activities can be continued” during the special exemption period, if the training plan itself has ended, there are no previous activities left to perform. The understanding that “one can continue working because there is a special exemption period” is incorrect, and the Immigration Services Agency explains that there have actually been reported cases where Technical Intern Trainees could not work and faced difficulties in their daily lives. The overall picture of the Specified Skilled Worker System is organized in “Differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii) | Explaining the Latest Target Fields for 2026.”

7. What Foreign Nationals and Corporate HR Professionals Should Do

7-1. For Foreign Nationals

1. Check the expiration date of your Period of Stay on your Residence Card. The information on the face of the New Design Residence Card has changed, so if you are unsure how to check it, please use a Residence Card Reader App or similar.
2. Mark three months before the expiration date on your calendar. This is a signal to start preparing for your renewal. Obtaining documents can take time.
3. Apply at least 45 days in advance. This is the guideline provided by the Immigration Services Agency.
4. In addition to applying to the Immigration Services Agency, check procedures with your municipal office and financial institutions. This includes renewing the validity period of your My Number Card/Specific Residence Card and notifying your bank account details.
5. For a Change of Status of Residence, act promptly once the reason arises. Do not wait if circumstances requiring a change occur, such as changing jobs, finding employment, or changes in personal status.

7-2. For HR Professionals

• Maintain a list of expiration dates and set two-stage alerts: three months and 45 days prior. If left to the individual, it is not uncommon for inquiries to come after the 45-day mark.
• Initiate the transition from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker at least two months before the scheduled start date of employment. If the completion date of the training plan and the application period diverge, the individual cannot work after the completion of the training plan, creating a gap in operations. This requires particular advancement.
• Anticipate busy periods. Processing time is not fixed. Do not assume it will be “one month like last time.”
• Provide guidance on living arrangements. Account transaction restrictions directly affect salary transfers. A simple word of guidance from HR can significantly prevent misunderstandings.

For required documents for renewal, please also refer to “[2026 Latest] Required Documents and New Requirements for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa Renewal,” and for online application methods, please refer to “Online Residence Application System | 2026 New System and Points to Note.”

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. I missed the 45-day deadline. Can I still apply?
A. Yes, you can still apply. The 45-day mark is a guideline that the Immigration Services Agency advises you to “strive for,” not an application deadline. However, the likelihood of not receiving a decision within your Period of Stay increases. It is a prerequisite to apply before your Period of Stay expires.

Q2. Can I depart Japan and re-enter during the Special exemption period?
A. The handling varies depending on individual circumstances, so if you have plans to depart, please consult with a regional immigration services agency or an expert in advance. Departure during the Special exemption period requires careful confirmation.

Q3. If I apply 45 days in advance, will I receive a decision within my Period of Stay?
A. The Immigration Services Agency clearly states, “We do not necessarily guarantee a decision within your Period of Stay.” If documents are incomplete, it will take even longer. Applying early is an action to increase the possibility, not a guarantee of the outcome.

Q4. Can the renewal of my My Number Card’s validity period be done together with the Immigration Services Agency application?
A. No, it cannot. Separate procedures are required at the municipal office, distinct from the Application for Extension of Period of Stay to the Immigration Services Agency. Notifying bank account details also requires procedures at a financial institution, and each has a different counter.

Q5. If I apply online, will there be an entry on the back of my Residence Card?
A. The Immigration Services Agency states that entries in the “Application for Extension of Period of Stay, etc. section” on the back of the Residence Card do not apply to online applications. Since online applications do not result in an entry on the back, it is reassuring to know in advance how to confirm that your application is pending.

9. Summary: Submitting Early is Preparation to Avoid Disrupting Your Life

The Application for Extension of Period of Stay should be submitted from three months to 45 days before expiration, and the Application for Change of Status of Residence should be submitted promptly once the reason for change arises—these are the application timing guidelines provided by the Immigration Services Agency as of August 2026.

Although residence continues legally even past the expiration date due to the Special exemption period, the key point this time is that the identity verification functions of My Number Card/Specific Residence Card and bank account transactions may cease based on the Period of Stay expiration date. The legality of residence and the continuity of daily life have become separate issues.

Furthermore, for a change from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker, individuals cannot work even during the Special exemption period once the training plan is completed. For this specific case, an earlier guideline of “at least two months prior” is indicated.

The Period of Stay expiration date is one of the few deadlines known in advance. Making it a habit to start acting three months in advance will ultimately be the most reliable preparation.

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This article is written based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates are subject to change in the future. For actual applications, please refer to 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