How to Extend Your Period of Stay (Visa Renewal Guide)

Materials Needed for First Trip:

For Joukin ALTs:

1. Application Form
   • “For applicant” pages should be filled out by the visa holder. “For organization” pages should be filled out by your contracting organization or school.
2. 4 cm x 3cm Photograph which fulfill these requirements:
   • Applicant must be alone and be facing forward without any head covering
   • Background should be plain with no shadow
   • Must be sharp and clear
   • Must have been taken within 3 months prior to submission
3. Passport
4. Residence Card

For Hijoukin ALTs:

1. Application Form
   • “For applicant” pages should be filled out by the visa holder. “For organization” pages should be filled out by your contracting organization or school.
2. 4 cm x 3cm Photograph (same requirements as above)
3. Passport
4. Residence Card
5. Kazei Shoumeisho（課税証明書）available at local tax office or tax/revenue department in your municipal office
6. Nouzei Shoumeisho（納税証明書）available at local tax office or tax/revenue department in your municipal office

If you are a 3rd year American (or Filipino) JET, you would have been exempt from paying residence taxes for the first two years if you filed your IRS Form 6166 correctly. In this case, the city hall may inform you that you do not have a Nouzei Shoumeisho. In such a situation, you can request a copy of your Nouzei Shoumeisho that shows you have paid 0 dollars.

Supporting Documents That May Be Required for ALTs:

Ask your supervisor if you need these, as necessary documents may vary.

• Documents certifying the activity, its duration and position of the person concerned.
• Reappointment Intention Form
• Employment Terms & Conditions/Contract in Japanese
• Certificate of Employment (zaishoku shomeisho or 在職証明書)
• Documents certifying an annual income and tax payment:
• Statement of Earning for previous year (gensen choushuu hyo or 源泉徴収票)

For CIRs:

1. Application Form
   • “For applicant” pages should be filled out by the visa holder. “For organization” pages should be filled out by your contracting origination.
2. 4 cm x 3cm Photograph (same requirements as above)
3. Passport
4. Residence Card
5. Documents certifying the activity, its duration and position of the person concerned (please ask your supervisor and the immigration office for details)

Once you have collected all necessary materials, go to your Immigration Office of choice and take a number. Submit the necessary materials. If you end up missing any documents, the office may allow you to mail it in, but this is not a guarantee. If you submit your paperwork and everything seems to be in order, they will give you a post card to write down your name and address on. They will send this postcard to you once they are ready for you to come back to finish the visa extension process.

When you submit your documents, they will not be returned to you (with the exception of your passport and residence card). So if you need to make copies, make sure you do so before you go to the immigration office.

When you get the postcard in the mail, it will state the period of time you have to go back to the office and finish the process. It’s highly recommended you go during this period, but if you absolutely cannot, please call the immigration office to reschedule.