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3. If you renew your period of stay under SSW

Updated：2026/5/15

If you continue with the same company and same activity under SSW, apply for permission to renew your period of stay. People with a period of stay of six months or more can apply from about three months before the expiry date. Company documents are also needed, so prepare early instead of waiting until just before the deadline.

Things to Check Before Applying
  • Check the expiry date on your residence card, and talk with the company about renewal preparation from about three months before the deadline.
  • Check payment status for resident tax, national health insurance, national pension, and company social insurance. Unpaid items may make screening take longer.
  • Check whether salary, work location, job duties, and support details have changed since the last application. If they have changed, company-side notifications or explanation documents may be needed.
  • SSW No. 1 has a total period of stay limit. Check how many years you have worked under SSW No. 1 so far.
Detailed renewal flow
  1. Start renewal preparation with the company about three months before the period of stay expires
  2. Items for identity confirmation, such as passport, residence card, and photo
  3. Check tax payment certificates, tax certificates, and insurance and pension payment status
  4. Ask the company to prepare employment terms, support plan, accepting organization documents, and field-specific documents
  5. Apply for permission to renew the period of stay at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau
  6. After approval, pay the fee and receive a new residence card
When the deadline is near
  • If you apply for renewal before the period of stay expires and the result does not come by the deadline, there is a special period when you can stay in Japan under your previous status for a certain time.
  • However, delaying preparation because of the special period is risky. If company documents, taxes, or insurance are incomplete, handling extra documents may take time.
  • Avoid having no application after the deadline has passed. Contact the Regional Immigration Services Bureau right away.
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