Applications for extension of stay and change of status can be made from three months before the expiry date of the visa. However, if you apply just before the expiry date of your residence card, you may be worried about whether you will be able to stay legally during the examination. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to withdraw money from certain banks, or you may not be able to use your health insurance. We sometimes receive enquiries from people who are in a hurry because such a situation has occurred, even though they have properly applied for a visa by the expiry date.
If you apply within the expiry date, you will receive a small stamp in the lower right-hand corner on the back of your residence card. This is a sign that you are currently in the process of applying and is a very important stamp, so make sure you check it when you submit your application. It usually takes about one to two months for an application for renewal of your period of stay, and two to three months for an application for change of status to process. If you are worried that your period of stay will expire, rest assured that you will be granted a special period during which you can legally stay in Japan (two months after your period of stay ends). Normally, you can get the result of the examination before the expiry of the special period. If you leave the country after applying for renewal or change of status and receive a postcard informing you of the result, there is no problem as long as you receive your new residence card within two months of the expiry date (during the special period). However, please note that if you do not receive a new residence card after two months from the expiry date, you will be considered as having overstayed. Please make sure that you apply for an extension of stay or a change of status well in advance.
Below is the Immigration Office’s explanation of the special period.
