Going Home and Returning to Japan: Deemed Re-entry Permit and Re-entry Permit, What to Do Before You Leave, and Staying Away Over 1 Year

During the summer or spring break, you may want to go to Nepal to see your family. Many students feel this way. But if you get the procedure for leaving Japan wrong, you may not be able to come back. This guide explains the procedure for going home and returning to Japan, and what to check before you leave, based on official information.

We checked the official pages listed below on 9 November 2026. Fees and procedures may change. Before you leave, always check the latest information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and your school. This guide does not guarantee that you will be able to enter Japan again. Whether you can enter is decided by an immigration inspector at the airport or port.

First, what you need to know

• If a foreign national living in Japan leaves without receiving a re-entry permit (including the deemed re-entry permit), the status of residence and period of stay they held are lost (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).
• To enter Japan after that, you must get a new visa and go through landing inspection again.
• A person who leaves with a re-entry permit (including the deemed re-entry permit) is exempt from the visa when re-entering, and after landing is treated as if the earlier status of residence and period of stay continue.

So the most important points are "which permission you leave with" and "by when you return."

The difference between the two methods

If you will return within 1 year of the day you leave, the deemed re-entry permit is usually enough. If you plan to return after more than 1 year, you cannot use the deemed re-entry permit. You must apply for a re-entry permit before you leave (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

Leaving with a deemed re-entry permit

Who can use it

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the deemed re-entry permit can be used by people who hold a valid passport, other than people given a period of stay of "3 months" or less and people with the "Temporary Visitor" status, when they re-enter within 1 year of the day they leave. Medium- to long-term residents must also carry a residence card in addition to the passport.

The Agency's page says that the following people are not covered by the deemed re-entry permit. They must apply for a regular re-entry permit. Whether it is granted is decided case by case. If you are not sure whether you are covered, check with the immigration office or the Immigration Information Center for Foreign Residents before you leave.

• People whose status of residence is in the process of being revoked
• People who are subject to a hold on departure confirmation
• People for whom a detention order has been issued
• People applying for refugee status whose status of residence is "Designated Activities"
• People the state has found to be a risk to Japan's interests or public safety, or similar

If you are worried that you may fall into one of these groups, ask the immigration office in your area or the Immigration Information Center for Foreign Residents before you leave. The phone number is 0570-013904 from within Japan, and 03-5796-7112 for IP phones and from overseas. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., except Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the year-end and New Year period (29 December to 3 January).

What to do at the airport

When you leave, tell the immigration inspector that you want to leave with the deemed re-entry permit. The re-entry departure record (re-entry ED card) has a box that means "I am leaving temporarily and plan to re-enter." Tick that box and show it to the inspector together with your passport and residence card (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).

The period is 1 year from the day you leave, or until your period of stay ends if that comes first

The deemed re-entry permit is valid for 1 year from the day you leave. If your period of stay ends before 1 year has passed from the day you leave, it is valid only until the end of your period of stay. For example, if your period of stay ends 8 months after the day you leave, you must return by that date 8 months later.

A person who leaves with a deemed re-entry permit cannot extend that period while abroad (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). You also cannot apply to extend your period of stay at a Japanese embassy or similar office abroad. You must re-enter within your period of stay and apply for the extension at the immigration office that covers your place of residence.

Applying for a re-entry permit

If you plan to be abroad for more than 1 year, for example, apply for a re-entry permit before you leave. However, the validity of a re-entry permit is set within the period of stay you hold now. Even with a re-entry permit, you cannot return after your period of stay has ended. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan's page says the following.

• Where to apply: The regional immigration office that covers your place of residence. The standard processing time is given as "the same day." However, it can change depending on how busy the office is and on individual circumstances, so if you are in a hurry, check with the office first. Reception hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. These can differ by office, so check first.
• Fee: When the permit is granted, the fee is 4,000 yen for single-use and 7,000 yen for multiple-use. You pay with revenue stamps. Online applications for a re-entry permit are possible only when you make them together with an online application such as one for extension of the period of stay. For online applications from 1 October 2026, the fee is 3,500 yen for single-use and 6,500 yen for multiple-use, plus a separate payment processing fee of 220 yen, so the total you pay is 3,720 yen for single-use and 6,720 yen for multiple-use. Online, you pay by convenience-store payment or bank payment instead of revenue stamps. You cannot pay by credit card or QR code payment.
• What to bring: Basically, the re-entry permit application form, your residence card and your passport. Other documents are needed in some cases, for example when someone submits the application on your behalf (a designated agent).
• Validity: You apply stating whether you want single-use or multiple-use (usable many times within the period). The type granted and its validity are decided in the review. The validity is within the period of stay you hold now, up to 5 years.

On the question "Do I need to get a permit every time I leave?", the guidance says that with a multiple-use permit you do not need to get one each time you leave. The deemed re-entry permit has no limit on the number of times.

In principle, you go to apply in person. However, a school staff member who has been approved by the director of the regional immigration bureau (an application agent) or similar person may be able to submit the application for you. Ask your school whether it provides this service. Also, when a relative or similar person applies because "the person cannot go," being busy with work or school is not accepted as that reason.

While you have an extension application pending

You can usually apply to extend your period of stay from 3 months before your period of stay ends (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). Even while an extension application is pending, you can leave with a re-entry permit (including the deemed re-entry permit). The immigration office does not keep your passport. But please note the following two points.

• If you leave after applying for an extension, watch two deadlines: the expiry of your re-entry permit and the deadline for receiving the result. After you re-enter, receive the result of the extension before 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay. The Q&A of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan says that if you leave after applying for an extension, whether with a re-entry permit or a deemed re-entry permit, you must re-enter and receive the result by the day 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay. On top of that, you also cannot go past the expiry of your re-entry permit. Return by the earliest of these dates. If you leave with a deemed re-entry permit, return by the earlier of "the day 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay" and "1 year from the day you leave."
• After you return, be sure to receive the result before 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay. If you receive it at the counter, go to the immigration office where you applied. Once 2 months have passed, you become an overstayer even if you have applied.
• The immigration office may contact you about the review, so it is recommended that you stay reachable while abroad.

If you plan to leave around the time of your extension, talk to your school early.

What to do before you leave

1. 1Check the expiry date of your passport. You need a valid passport to use the deemed re-entry permit.
2. 2Take your residence card with you. You need it to use the deemed re-entry permit. If you lose your passport or residence card abroad, a representative (a relative living with you, or a person with a power of attorney) can submit a "Request for Certification of Re-entry Permit Expiry (再入国許可期限証明願)" to the regional immigration bureau or similar office to get the expiry date of your re-entry permit certified (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).
3. 3Check your period-of-stay expiry date. See that it does not come before the day you plan to return.
4. 4Decide your return date. First check your school's class start date and your air ticket.
5. 5Tell your school the day you leave and the day you return.
6. 6Check at the counter in your town whether any procedure is needed. How the notice of moving out, National Health Insurance and National Pension are handled depends on the length of your absence and on the local government. According to the Japan Pension Service, when a Category 1 insured person of the National Pension lives overseas, they lose the eligibility to be in the National Pension, and the procedure is done at the city, ward, town or village office counter. However, this guide could not confirm in which cases you count as "living overseas." Tell the municipal counter how long you will be out of Japan and check with them.

Your relationship with your school

The student status of residence is for studying at a school. According to the Q&A of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, if you do not carry out your original activity (for a student, studying) for 3 months or more without a justifiable reason, your status of residence can be revoked. Being away for a long time during the school term may affect your status of residence (a guideline from this guide). If your attendance is low, your extension may not be approved (Study in Japan). For details, see the guide on changing schools, leaving school and taking a leave of absence.

If you need to go back to Nepal during the school term because of illness or family reasons, talk to your school before you leave. Also confirm with your school and the immigration office whether you should take a leave of absence.

For part-time work, see the part-time work guide. This guide did not confirm how part-time work is treated while you are temporarily back in Nepal or otherwise outside Japan.

If you leave without permission, and your residence card

If you leave without receiving a re-entry permit (including the deemed re-entry permit), your residence card becomes invalid when you leave, and you return it immediately at the port of departure (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). If you leave with a re-entry permit and do not re-enter within its validity, your residence card also becomes invalid. In this case, you must return it within 14 days from the day it became invalid. For how this is handled with the deemed re-entry permit, check with the immigration office.

To return to Japan after your status of residence is lost, you get a new visa and go through landing inspection again. Getting a new visa takes time and money. For what you need, see the COE and visa guide and the immigration guide.

When you return to Japan

When you arrive in Japan, you show your passport and residence card at immigration inspection. The re-entry inspection is also done by an immigration inspector. The flow for people who have just arrived is in the guide to procedures after arrival.

For notifications such as losing your residence card or changing your address, see the guide to procedures after arrival.

Frequently asked questions

I am going back to Nepal within 1 year. Do I need to apply for anything?

If you have a valid passport and residence card and you are covered by the deemed re-entry permit, you do not need to apply in advance. At the airport, tick the box on the re-entry ED card and tell the inspector. However, if your period of stay ends earlier than 1 year from the day you leave, return by that date.

I plan to stay in Nepal for more than 1 year.

You cannot use the deemed re-entry permit. Before you leave, apply for a re-entry permit at the immigration office in your area. The fee is 4,000 yen for single-use and 7,000 yen for multiple-use. The validity is within your current period of stay. For your relationship with your school while you are away from Japan for a long time, talk to your school.

My period of stay may end while I am abroad. Can I extend it at the Japanese embassy in Nepal?

No. You cannot apply to extend your period of stay at a Japanese embassy or similar office abroad (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). Return to Japan before your period of stay ends and apply for the extension at the immigration office.

Can I leave Japan while my extension application is pending?

You can leave, but there is a deadline. With either a re-entry permit or a deemed re-entry permit, you must return and receive the result by the day 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay. With a re-entry permit, you also cannot go past the expiry of the re-entry permit. With a deemed re-entry permit, return by the earlier of "the day 2 months have passed from the end of your period of stay" and "1 year from the day you leave." After you return, receive the result of the extension before 2 months have passed.

I lost my residence card or passport abroad.

If you lose your passport or residence card while you are away on a re-entry permit (including the deemed re-entry permit), a representative can submit a Request for Certification of Re-entry Permit Expiry (再入国許可期限証明願) to the regional immigration bureau or similar office to get the expiry of the re-entry permit certified. The representative is a relative living with you, or a person with a power of attorney. This is a procedure to certify the expiry of the re-entry permit. It is not a procedure to reissue your passport or residence card. For your passport, check the procedure with the Nepali embassy or similar office. For details, check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan's page.

What to do next

Check the following in order. Write on paper the day you leave, the day you return, your period-of-stay expiry date and your passport expiry date. Ask your school about the class schedule. If you may stay away for more than 1 year, apply for a re-entry permit at the immigration office before you leave. If you are worried about anything, you can also ask the Immigration Information Center for Foreign Residents (the phone number is in the section "Leaving with a deemed re-entry permit" above). You can send questions to this site through Contact. You can contact us, but we do not guarantee admission or a visa. This site is free to use.