Hello, this is Ito of IMS.
Residents of Japan who will continue to stay in the country even after the expiration date of their residence card will need to apply for a change of status or renewal, whichever is more appropriate. Upon completion of the Immigration Bureau's examination, a notification postcard will be sent to the mailing address provided. Then, applicants must go to the Immigration Bureau with the documents specified on the postcard. Application procedures can only be done if the applicant resides in Japan. This requirement is unchanged even with the current coronavirus epidemic.
Restrictions to Entering Japan
Since April 3, those who have left Japan with a re-entry permit (including special re-entry permit) are not allowed to enter Japan unless there are unavoidable circumstances.
※This does not include "Permanent Resident", "Spouse of a Japanese National", or "Spouse of a Permanent Resident" status holders, or spouses and children of Japanese nationals without a residence status.
If the Immigration Bureau accepts the application, the period of stay will automatically be extended by 2 months from the current period of stay. Therefore, if you leave Japan during the examination period and cannot return by the end of this 2-month extension or obtain permission to enter Japan, your examination result will become invalid. You will then need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility once again.
Option: Power of Attorney
At present, there are special measures that let relatives in Japan, employees of the applicant's affiliated organization, and proxy agents such as administrative scriveners (like IMS) to accept applications from Immigration on your behalf. A power of attorney completed by the applicant is required to obtain this permission. The format can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Justice.
・委任状 (Japanese)
・Power of Attorney (English)
The signed power of attorney can even be a scanned copy instead of the original. In addition, please submit the following documents:
・Notification postcard from the Immigration Bureau
・Application receipt ("申請受付票", received from the Immigration Bureau)
・Scanned copy of the residence card and passport ID page
(Other documents will be prepared depending on the person who will pick up the new residence card.) The written payment of fees ("手数料納付書") does not need to be signed by the applicant and will be signed by the agent.
The applicant will be required to use the new residence card to enter the country, so it will be sent to the applicant via international mail. Please note that the re-entry permit (and special re-entry permit) will still be valid. However, if you do not return by the re-entry permit's expiration date, your residence card will become invalid.
Recently, we have received and successfully completed many requests to pick up new residence cards for applicants currently outside Japan. If you have any problems, please contact us so that we may assist you.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
