Residence Card Renewal Japan 2026: Fees, PR Cards & Online Steps

Residence card renewal in Japan usually means an Extension of Period of Stay (在留期間更新許可申請, zairyu kikan koshin kyoka shinsei). If your period of stay is 6 months or longer, you can apply from 3 months prior to its expiration date. The Immigration Services Agency usually issues a new residence card when it grants the extension.

Since October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the new period granted. It ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 at the counter. Permanent residents follow a separate, free process that renews only the card's valid period.

This guide covers each renewal process, the documents required, the 2026 fees and online applications. It also explains the new card design introduced on June 14, 2026.

Residence card renewal in Japan at a glance

Three different procedures all get called "renewal". Find yours first, because each has its own form, fee and application period.

	Extension of Period of Stay	PR / HSP (ii) card renewal	Reissue (lost, stolen or damaged card)
Who	Most foreign residents with a period of stay	Permanent residents and highly skilled professional (ii) holders	Any card holder
Application period	From 3 months prior to the expiry date (stays of 6 months or more)	From 3 months prior to the card's expiry date	Loss or theft: within 14 days of noticing. Damage: as soon as possible.
Fee	¥10,000 to ¥75,000 at the counter; ¥10,000 to ¥65,000 online	Free	Check with the immigration bureau
Application form	Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Application for Renewal of the Valid Period of Residence Card	Application for Reissuance of Residence Card
Processing	About 2 weeks to 1 month	Same day in principle	Same day in principle for a damaged card
Online	Yes, with a My Number Card	No, counter only	No, counter only

When can I renew my Japanese residence card?

Your status determines your application period. Check the expiry date on your current residence card first.

• Most statuses: from 3 months prior to the expiry date, if your period of stay is 6 months or more

• Permanent resident or highly skilled professional (ii): from 3 months prior to the card's own expiry date

• Card issued by June 13, 2026 that expires on your 16th birthday: from 6 months before that birthday

ISA now accepts PR card renewals from 3 months before expiry, although older guides still say 2 months. You must apply in Japan. A permanent resident leaving for a long stay abroad can ask to apply before the window opens.

Do not miss your expiry date

Staying after your period of stay expires counts as overstaying. You also cannot apply online on the final day of your stay. Plan to submit at least two weeks early.

Important clarification: what “residence card renewal” means in Japan

Most people mean an Extension of Period of Stay or a Change of Status of Residence. Immigration issues a new residence card when it approves either one. Permanent residents and highly skilled professional (ii) holders renew the card itself instead.

👉 Read also: Visa Renewal Japan 2026: Fees, New October Fee Table & How to Apply

Who processes residence card renewal applications in Japan?

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan handles every renewal. It operates under the Ministry of Justice through regional immigration bureaus.

You must submit your application at the immigration bureau that covers your registered address. You cannot choose another immigration office. ISA's regional office list shows which bureau covers your area.

How much does residence card renewal cost?

You pay the fee only when immigration approves your application. Since October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the new period of stay granted.

Extension and change of status fees from October 1, 2026

New period granted	At the counter	Online
Up to 3 months	¥10,000	¥10,000
Over 3 months, up to 6 months	¥18,000	¥15,000
Over 6 months, under 1 year	¥25,000	¥21,000
Exactly 1 year	¥33,000	¥27,000
Over 1 year, under 3 years	¥48,000	¥42,000
3 years to under 5 years	¥64,000	¥56,000
5 years or more	¥75,000	¥65,000

Immigration charged a flat ¥6,000, or ¥5,500 online, for applications accepted by September 30, 2026. You pay the old fee even if approval comes later (Immigration Services Agency).

Other renewal fees

• Permanent resident card renewal: free

• Permanent residence application: ¥200,000, counter only

• Fee reductions: request them at the counter, because the online system cannot process them

How to pay

• At the counter: pay with a revenue stamp for the exact fee. Your notification postcard shows the period granted, so check it first. Post offices sell every denomination.

• Online: pay after approval at a convenience store, through Pay-easy at an ATM, or by internet banking. ISA adds a ¥330 or ¥550 payment fee. Credit cards and QR payments are not accepted.

• Pay on time: pay online fees by the day before you collect your new card.

See our full breakdown of the new fee table for more examples.

How to renew your residence card in Japan

1. Know when your residence card expires.

⑨ and ⑩ show the period of stay and its expiration date on a card issued before June 14, 2026.

Your current residence card shows the expiration date of your period of stay on the front. For a stay of 6 months or more, count back 3 months from that date. That is the start of your application period.

How the new card design changes this

Every card issued from June 14, 2026 uses a new design. Your current card stays valid until its expiry date, so you do not need to swap it early.

• Still printed: your name, status, expiration date of your period of stay and work restrictions

• Moved to the IC chip: the length of your stay, the permission type, the permission date and the card's issue date

• How to check the chip: use ISA's free residence card reader app on a smartphone

You can also request a Specified Residence Card when you renew. It combines your residence card and My Number card, and it is optional. Expect it to take about 10 days longer to issue.

👉 Find out more about The Specified Residence Card

2. Prepare the necessary documents.

Every extension applicant needs the following items:

• The Application for Extension of Period of Stay form

• One photo, 4 cm x 3 cm, plain background, taken within 3 months

  • Since June 14, 2026, children aged 1 and over need a photo too. No photo is needed if you request a stay of 3 months or less.

• Your passport and residence card, shown at the counter

• A revenue stamp (収入印紙, shunyu inshi) for the fee, paid when you collect your new card

If you cannot show your passport, you must submit a written reason instead. Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months of your application.

Additional documents by status

You then add several documents that prove you still qualify for the same status. Typical examples:

Status	Typical additional documents
Work visas (for example Engineer/Humanities)	Certificate of employment, resident tax certificate and tax payment certificate
Business Manager	Company registry certificate, latest financial statements and tax payment proof
Spouse of a Japanese national	The spouse's family register (koseki tohon), a letter of guarantee and the spouse's resident tax certificate
Dependent	Marriage certificate or birth certificate, plus the sponsor's tax payment certificate
Student	Certificate of enrollment, attendance record and proof of financial support

Spouse and dependent applicants are often asked for a certificate of residence (住民票, juminhyo) listing the household. Immigration may also ask for proof of national health insurance and national pension payments.

Prepare the above documents first. Then gather any other documents your bureau requests.

Check the Ministry of Justice's application documents for your exact status.

Where to get the application form

Download the form for your status from the Immigration Services Agency's Japan website. Your immigration office also keeps paper copies.

Fill in every field, including your employer or school and your reason for renewal. A blank field is a common reason for a returned application.

👉 Use MailMate's Postal Code Finder to complete your full address with postal code.

3. Submit your application at the immigration bureau

Go to your regional immigration bureau on a weekday. Reception runs 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. Large bureaus get busy, so arrive early.

The immigration officer checks your documents and copies your passport and residence card. You then write your address on a postcard (hagaki). Immigration mails it back when your result is ready.

4. Wait for the result

ISA's standard processing time for an extension is about 2 weeks to 1 month. At the counter, the officer stamps the back of your card to show your application is pending. Online applicants carry the receipt email instead. If your period of stay expires while you wait, you may stay in Japan for up to 2 months after the expiry date. This only applies if you applied before the expiry date.

⑬  Permission application column for renewal of the period of stay, etc.

5. Collect your new residence card

Bring the postcard, your passport, your current residence card and the revenue stamp. The officer issues the new card and returns your old one with a hole punched in it.

Check the new expiry date before you leave. Then update your bank and employer records with your new card details.

How to renew your residence card online

ISA's online system lets you apply for an extension from home, 24 hours a day. A new version launched in January 2026.

What you need

• A My Number Card with a valid electronic certificate

• A smartphone with the Mynaportal app, to scan the My Number Card

• A PC for the application itself, because ISA does not guarantee smartphone browsers

• PDF copies of all your documents, up to 20 files and 25 MB in total

• A photo taken within 6 months

How it works

1. Register as a user and complete the usage request on ISA's online system.

2. Fill in the application, attach your documents and submit.

3. Wait for the result email.

4. Pay the fee online, then collect your new card at the counter or choose delivery by post.

Limits to know

• You cannot apply online on the last day of your period of stay, or after it expires.

• You cannot apply from outside Japan.

• Postal delivery is not available if you apply for a re-entry permit at the same time. It also does not apply to grants of 3 months or less.

• Permanent resident card renewals and permanent residence applications cannot be filed online.

• You cannot use the special re-entry permit while your new card is being posted to you. Choose counter collection if you plan to travel.

If you leave Japan after applying online, you must reenter Japan within 2 months after your stay expires. ISA notes that postal delivery currently takes longer. Choose counter collection if you need the new card quickly.

Permanent resident renewal: what's different

A permanent resident never renews their status. You renew only the card, because the card has its own valid period. The same rules apply to highly skilled professional (ii) holders.

Key rules

• Application period: from 3 months prior to the card's expiry date.

• Fee: free. The ¥200,000 fee applies only to new permanent residence applications.

• Processing: ISA issues the new card on the same day in principle.

• Online: not available. You must apply in person at your immigration bureau.

• Proxy: a relative aged 16 or over who lives with you can apply for you.

Documents required

• Application for Renewal of the Valid Period of Residence Card

• One photo that meets ISA's photo rules (4 cm x 3 cm)

• Your passport and residence card, shown at the counter

No proof of employment or tax payment is needed. The immigration officer does not reassess your status.

New card validity

PR cards issued before June 14, 2026 were valid for 7 years. New PR cards last until your 10th birthday after issue. If you are under 18, the new card lasts until your 5th birthday after issue.

If you miss the expiry date

Apply as soon as possible with a written explanation of the delay. If you are abroad on a valid re entry permit, re enter Japan before that permit expires. Then renew the card right away.

What happens if you overstay your visa?

Your period of stay and your card are not the same thing. Missing the PR card date breaks a legal duty, but your status continues. Missing your period of stay makes you an overstayer.

A foreign national who overstays cannot apply online and must go to the immigration bureau at once. Overstaying can lead to forced departure and a ban on re-entering Japan.

After you renew your visa

• Update your bank: banks such as Japan Post Bank ask for your new card details.

• Tell your employer or school: they usually keep a copy of your current residence card.

• Carry the card: foreign residents aged 16 and over must carry it at all times.

Frequently asked questions

How do you renew your residence card in Japan?

Apply for an Extension of Period of Stay at the immigration bureau that covers your address. Submit the application form, a photo, your passport and residence card, and the documents for your status. Immigration mails you a postcard when the result is ready. You then collect your new residence card and pay the fee.

How long does it take to renew a zairyu card?

An extension usually takes about 2 weeks to 1 month, according to the Immigration Services Agency. A permanent resident card renewal is normally issued the same day. Online applicants who choose postal delivery should expect extra days.

When can I renew my residence card in Japan?

If your period of stay lasts 6 months or more, apply from 3 months prior to its expiry date. Permanent residents and highly skilled professional (ii) holders apply from 3 months before the card expires. You must apply from inside Japan.

How much does residence card renewal cost in 2026?

Since October 1, 2026, an extension costs ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 at the counter, based on the new period granted. A 1-year grant costs ¥33,000, or ¥27,000 online. A permanent resident card renewal is free.

Where do I submit my application?

Submit it at the immigration bureau that covers your registered address. You cannot choose another immigration office. Online applications go to the same bureau automatically.

What documents are required for residence card renewal in Japan?

Most applicants need the application form, one 4 cm x 3 cm photo, and their passport and residence card. You then add documents for your status, such as a certificate of employment or a marriage certificate. Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months.

Are national pension and resident tax certificates required?

Often, yes. Work and family statuses usually need a resident tax certificate and a tax payment certificate. Immigration may also ask for proof of national pension and national health insurance payments.

Can I renew my residence card online?

Yes, for an Extension of Period of Stay, if you have a My Number Card. You scan it with the Mynaportal smartphone app and apply through the ISA online system. Permanent resident card renewals cannot be filed online.

Do permanent residents follow the same renewal process?

No. A permanent resident renews only the valid period of the card, not their status. The process is free, needs no proof of employment, and usually finishes the same day.

Can I travel overseas while my residence card is being renewed? Do I need a re entry permit?

Yes, you can leave Japan with a re entry permit or the special re-entry permit. You must re-enter Japan and receive your result within 2 months after your period of stay expires. The special re-entry permit needs your current residence card in hand, so do not travel while it is in the post.

What happens to my old residence card when I renew?

The immigration officer punches a hole in your old card to cancel its IC chip. The Immigration Services Agency then returns it to you with the new card. If you leave Japan for good, you surrender your card at the airport.

Will I get a new-style residence card when I renew?

Yes. Every card issued from June 14, 2026 uses the new design. The length of your stay moves to the IC chip, while the expiration date still prints on the card.

What is a Specified Residence Card, and do I need one?

A Specified Residence Card combines your residence card and My Number card into one card. It is optional, and you can request it when you renew. It takes about 10 days longer to issue.

What if my residence card is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Report a lost or stolen card to the police first. Then apply for a replacement at your immigration bureau within 14 days of noticing the loss. Bring the police report, your passport and a photo. For a damaged card, apply as soon as possible; there is no fixed deadline.

What if I'm already past my renewal deadline?

If your period of stay has expired, you are overstaying, so go to your immigration bureau at once. You cannot apply online after the expiry date. A permanent resident who missed the card date should apply right away with a written reason.

In closing

Residence card renewal in Japan goes smoothly when you start 3 months early. Prepare all your documents before your application period opens. Then submit at the bureau that covers your address.

Check the Immigration Services Agency's procedure pages for your status before you apply. The rules changed three times in 2026.