🇯🇵 Japan

Do you need to do anything?

Renewal is not automatic — you have to apply for it yourself. If you are in Japan on the "Designated Activities (1 year)" status (特定活動（1年）) granted to Ukrainians who fled the war: before the expiry date of the period of stay printed on your residence card (在留カード), file an Application for Extension of Period of Stay (在留期間更新許可申請). Where and when. File it at the regional immigration office that covers your place of residence (住居地を管轄する地方出入国在留管理官署). Online filing is also possible, but only if you have registered in advance as a user of the Residence Application Online System (在留申請オンラインシステム). Applications are accepted from 3 months before the expiry date (if your period of stay is 6 months or longer) and no later than the expiry date itself. What to submit. The form "Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Form U (Other))" (在留期間更新許可申請書（様式U（その他）)); a photograph if you are 16 or older; a document showing that you fall under the Ukraine measure (a copy of your passport, entry/exit stamps); a statement of reasons (理由書) and a letter of guarantee (身元保証書). All of these forms are on the Immigration Services Agency page for Ukrainians: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/01_00252.html What the Agency actually says. Verbatim: "as long as the situation in Ukraine is not recognised as having improved, an application for extension of period of stay is possible." That means the application will be accepted and examined. The decision is the Agency's — it does not promise in advance either the extension itself or another one-year period. So apply on time and do not assume it happens by itself. If the decision is delayed. If you filed on time and there is still no decision, you remain in Japan lawfully and may continue your previous activities (including work) until the decision is made or until 2 months after the expiry date, whichever comes first. This is called the special period (特例期間). If you file nothing. Your right to stay ends with the period on your card: you may stay in Japan only within the period of stay you were granted. This applies to the "Designated Activities (1 year)" status under the Ukraine measure. If your card shows a different status (e.g. Long-Term Resident 定住者, Dependent 家族滞在, Student 留学), you renew under the rules of that status — a different form and a different document list. Sources (Immigration Services Agency of Japan): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/01_00252.html ; https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html ; https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/tokureikikan_00001.html Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/01_00252.html (checked 03.09.2026).