Japanese at the Immigration Office: Words and Phrases for Visa Renewals
At the immigration office (出入国在留管理局, usually called 入管, nyūkan), most visits follow the same pattern: get the right form, take a number, hand in your documents and residence card, then come back to collect your new card when you receive a postcard or notice. The key words are 在留カード (residence card), 在留期間更新 (extension of period of stay) and 在留資格変更 (change of status). Many procedures can now also be done online. This guide covers the Japanese you’ll need, not legal advice: for questions about your own case, ask the immigration office or a licensed immigration specialist.
Key words
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 在留カード | zairyū kādo | Residence card |
| 在留資格 | zairyū shikaku | Status of residence (visa type) |
| 在留期間更新 | zairyū kikan kōshin | Extending your period of stay |
| 在留資格変更 | zairyū shikaku henkō | Changing your status |
| 再入国許可 | sainyūkoku kyoka | Re-entry permit |
| 申請書 | shinseisho | Application form |
| 収入印紙 | shūnyū inshi | Revenue stamp (to pay fees) |
| 番号札 | bangō fuda | Number ticket |
| 通知はがき | tsūchi hagaki | Notification postcard |
Useful phrases
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 在留期間の更新をしたいです。 | zairyū kikan no kōshin o shitai desu. | I’d like to extend my period of stay. |
| この書類で足りますか。 | kono shorui de tarimasu ka. | Are these documents enough? |
| 番号札はどこで取りますか。 | bangō fuda wa doko de torimasu ka. | Where do I take a number? |
| はがきが届きました。カードを受け取りに来ました。 | hagaki ga todokimashita. kādo o uketori ni kimashita. | I got the postcard. I’ve come to collect my card. |
| もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか。 | mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka. | Could you speak a little more slowly? |
Before you go
- Check the official list of documents for your status on the Immigration Services Agency website, and whether you can apply online instead.
- Apply in good time. Extensions can usually be filed in the months before your card expires; don’t leave it to the last week.
- Go early. Big offices get busy, especially around March and April.
- Bring copies and your passport as well as your residence card.
- Prepare to explain your situation in simple Japanese: your job or school, your address and why you’re applying.
Where to get help
Immigration offices and the government’s information centres for foreign residents can answer questions in several languages. For advice on your own application, a licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) or immigration lawyer can help. If a document needs a Japanese translation, check what the office requires; see translating Japanese documents. For how the JLPT relates to visas, see the JLPT and Japanese visas, and for the other offices you’ll visit, Japanese at the ward office.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English. Before your visit we can practise the words, forms and questions you’re likely to meet, so you can explain your situation calmly. We can also translate your own documents into Japanese for reference, but our translations are not certified, and we don’t give immigration or legal advice.