Can You Travel Abroad While Your Japan Visa Application Is Being Processed?

It’s not uncommon to find yourself planning a trip abroad after submitting a visa renewal or Status of Residence change application in Japan.

Whether it’s a short visit home, a business trip, or a vacation, there are plenty of reasons you might need to leave the country during the screening process.

At times like these, many people wonder:

“Is it okay to travel overseas while my visa application is under review?”

“Will leaving Japan cancel my application?”

“Could I run into problems when I try to re-enter?”

The short answer is: it depends on your situation, and there are important things to be aware of.

This article explains what you need to know about traveling abroad while a Japan visa application is pending.

In Most Cases, Leaving Japan Is Possible

If you have submitted any of the following applications in Japan:

Renewal of Period of Stay
Change of Status of Residence
Permanent Residence application

…in most cases, you can still leave Japan after the application has been accepted.

In practice, many people do travel — for visits home, overseas business trips, or holidays — while their application is being processed.

That said, there are a few important conditions to keep in mind.

The Most Important Factor: Your Current Period of Stay

The first thing to check is the expiry date on your current Residence Card.

For example, if you have:

Submitted a renewal application before your Period of Stay expires
And the application is currently under review

…a Special Period (extension) generally applies, allowing you to remain in Japan legally while you wait for the result.

However, the situation can change depending on when you leave and when you re-enter, so caution is needed.

Extra Caution During the Special Period

In Japan, if you apply to renew your Period of Stay before it expires, there is a system that allows you to remain legally in the country until the decision is issued.

This is commonly referred to as the

“Special Period” (特例期間)

However, traveling abroad during the Special Period can complicate things.

Depending on your individual circumstances, additional checks may be required at immigration upon re-entry, so it is advisable to think carefully before planning extended stays overseas during this time. If your visa is close to expiring, see Emergency Actions Before Your Visa Expires (Japan Status of Residence Guide) for guidance.

Re-Entry Permits Matter

One of the most important things for long-term residents in Japan traveling abroad is the re-entry procedure.

For short trips of up to one year, many people use the

Deemed Re-entry Permit (みなし再入国許可)

By indicating your intention to re-enter Japan at the airport when departing, you can use this without a separate permit application.

If you skip this step, you may encounter problems when trying to re-enter Japan, so make sure not to overlook it.

What About Traveling During Permanent Residence Screening?

In most cases, overseas travel is still possible while your Permanent Residence application is being reviewed.

In reality, permanent residence screening can take over a year, so it is not practical to avoid all overseas travel during that entire period.

That said, caution is particularly needed in the following situations:

Extended stays abroad
Cases where it becomes difficult to demonstrate that you are based in Japan
Situations where you are unable to respond to requests for additional documents

During permanent residence screening, it is important to show that your life is grounded in Japan.

Requests for Additional Documents

During visa screening, the Immigration Services Agency may request additional documents.

Examples include:

Income-related records
Certificate of employment
Tax payment certificates
Family relationship documents

If such a request arrives while you are overseas, your response may be delayed.

For this reason, if you plan to be abroad for an extended period, it is a good idea to make arrangements so that mail can be received and checked in your absence.

Extra Caution When Changing Status of Residence

If you have submitted an application to change your Status of Residence itself — for example:

Student visa → Work visa
Work visa → Spouse visa

…additional checks may be needed depending on your circumstances.

Since immigration may request further verification during the review process, many people prefer to wait until the result is issued before traveling, unless the trip is truly necessary. For a breakdown of how long each status takes to process, see How Long Does It Take to Get a Japanese Status of Residence?

What If the Decision Comes While You’re Abroad?

This happens more often than you might expect.

You may find that a postcard from immigration arrives while you are briefly back in your home country.

In this case, you would:

Visit the immigration office after returning to Japan
Follow the designated procedures

That said, it is not advisable to leave things unattended for a long time after the decision has been issued.

Things to Check Before You Leave

If you are planning overseas travel while a visa application is pending, it is worth checking the following:

Confirm Your Current Residence Card Expiry Date

Make sure you know when it expires.

Confirm That Your Application Has Been Accepted

Keep your application receipt in a safe place.

Confirm the Re-Entry Procedure

You must indicate your intention to re-enter Japan at the airport when departing.

Confirm Mail Can Be Received

Make sure you can respond to postcards from immigration or requests for additional documents.

Be Cautious About Extended Stays

This is especially important if your Permanent Residence application is under review — maintaining your life base in Japan matters.

Situations That Warrant Extra Caution

In the following cases, it is advisable to consult a professional or check with the Immigration Services Agency before departing:

Your Period of Stay is about to expire
You are currently in the Special Period
You plan to be abroad for an extended period
Your Status of Residence change application is under review
You plan a long absence while a Permanent Residence application is pending

The impact will vary depending on your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit my home country after submitting a visa renewal application?

In most cases, yes.

However, you must confirm your Period of Stay and complete the re-entry procedure without fail.

Is overseas travel possible during Permanent Residence screening?

It is possible in most cases, but extended stays abroad require caution.

Will leaving Japan cancel my application?

As a general rule, your application is not automatically cancelled.

However, additional checks may be required depending on the situation.

What if I receive a postcard from immigration while I’m overseas?

In most cases, you would complete the process after returning to Japan, but do not leave things unattended for too long.

Wrapping Up

In most cases, overseas travel is possible even while a Japan visa application is being processed.

Many people do travel — visiting home, going on business trips, or taking vacations — while a renewal, status change, or permanent residence application is under review.

That said, you should always confirm:

Your Period of Stay
Whether the Special Period applies
The re-entry procedure
Your ability to respond to requests for additional documents

In particular, if you are in the middle of permanent residence screening or your Period of Stay is close to expiry, it is wise to plan your travel especially carefully.

If you are preparing to travel abroad during visa screening, we recommend double-checking your current residence status one more time before you depart.