The Difference Between a Re-entry Permit and a Deemed Re-entry Permit | Things to Keep in Mind When Leaving the Country for More Than a Year

As of October 2026 · Administrative Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi

Hello. I’m Yukiko Horiuchi, a certified administrative scrivener at the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office.

When living in Japan, there are times when you may need to leave the country—whether for a temporary return to your home country, a business trip, childbirth, or to care for a family member. In such cases, many people wonder, “Is it okay to leave the country as is?” or “Will my status of residence remain valid even if I’m away from Japan for more than a year?” We also frequently receive these questions from company representatives preparing for long-term business trips by their foreign employees.

In this article, we’ll cover how to return to Japan while retaining the same status of residence:Re-entry Permits and Deemed Re-entry PermitsLet's take a look together at the differences, how to apply, and the points you should check before leaving the country.

1. Why is a re-entry permit required?

A status of residence is a permit based on the premise that you are residing in Japan. If you leave the country without completing the re-entry procedures, even if your period of stay has not yet expired,Your status of residence will expire as soon as you leave the country.. If you want to return to Japan, you’ll have to reapply for a status of residence from scratch.

2. What Is Deemed Re-entry Permission?

Deemed re-entry permission applies to individuals who hold a valid passport and a residence card,Within one year of the date of departureThis is a system that, as a general rule, waives the requirement to obtain a re-entry permit when re-entering the country.

3. When is a re-entry permit required?

• For business trips, childbirth, caregiving, studying abroad, etc.More than a yearWhen There Is a Possibility of Leaving Japan
• When You Don't Know Exactly When You'll Be Back
• Persons Not Eligible for Deemed Re-entry Permission

4. How do I apply for a re-entry permit?

To the Regional Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residenceBefore leaving the countryI am submitting an application. The standard processing time isOn the dayIt is.

When applying online to change or renew your status of residence, you can also apply for a re-entry permit online at the same time. The fee for this is 3,500 yen for a single-entry permit and 6,500 yen for a multiple-entry permit. For online applications submitted on or after October 1, 2026, a separate payment processing fee of 220 yen will apply.

5. Things to Check Before Leaving the Country

• Checking the Period of Stay: If your period of stay expires while you are abroad, your re-entry permit will also become invalid. If your period of stay is about to expire,Renew Before DepartureLet's get that done.
• Permanent residents are also eligible: The rules regarding departure without prior authorization and overstaying a visa also apply to permanent residents. If you plan to be away for more than one year, be sure to obtain a re-entry permit.
• The Impact of Long-Term Travel Abroad: If you are away from Japan for a long time, the question of whether you have “lived in Japan continuously” may become an issue when applying for permanent residency or naturalization in the future.
• Be sure to carry your Residence Card with you: You cannot use the deemed re-entry permit without a Residence Card.

6. What should I do if I run into trouble while abroad?

If you lose your passport or Residence Card while abroad on a re-entry permit (including a deemed re-entry permit), or if your old passport is collected upon issuance of a new one, you can obtain a “Certificate of Re-entry Permit Validity” through a relative living with you in Japan or a person authorized by you. If your return to Japan is likely to be delayed beyond your original schedule, it is most important to confirm the appropriate steps to take before the expiration date passes.

Related Articles

• Regarding the System for Revoking Permanent Residency (Effective April 1, 2027)
• Application for extension of period of stay (visa extension application)

summary

“If you’ll be away for less than a year, you’re automatically deemed to have re-entered the country”; “If you’re likely to be away for more than a year, obtain a re-entry permit before leaving the country”; “If your period of stay is about to expire, renew it first.” Just keeping these three points in mind can help you avoid many problems. Permanent residents, in particular, risk losing their permanent resident status due to a single mistake, so be sure to check these details before leaving the country for an extended period.

I hope this information is of some help to you as you prepare to leave Japan temporarily. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.