Leaving Japan temporarily

Procedures required when you temporarily leave Japan for purposes such as homecoming, travel, and research

If you plan to temporarily leave Japan during your permitted period of stay for such reasons as homecoming or traveling abroad and to re-enter Japan, be sure to check your period of stay before your departure. Caution should be exercised because if your period of stay expires before you re-enter Japan, you will have to obtain a new residence status according to your purpose of entry.

1． Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit System 
2． Providing notification to our university (submission of a temporary departure notification)
3． Others

1. Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit System

If you plan to re-enter Japan within one year, as a general rule, you do not have to obtain a normal re-entry permit if you have a valid passport and a Residence Card with you. (This is called the Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit System.)
If you plan to leave Japan and stay out of the country for one year or more, you must apply for “re-entry permission” before your departure at the regional immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Pay attention to the following points when leaving Japan with a Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit.

- When departing Japan, write in the designated section of your re-entry/departure record (re-entry ED card) that you are departing with a Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit, and be sure to show your Residence Card along with your passport and the re-entry/departure record at immigration.
- If you have left Japan with a Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit and do not re-enter Japan on or before the date when one year has elapsed after your departure or when your period of stay expires, whichever comes first, you will lose your residence status.
- Those who have left Japan with a Special (minashi) Re-Entry Permit cannot extend the validity of their permit outside Japan. Therefore, if there is a possibility that you will be away from Japan for more than one year, you should obtain “re-entry permission” in advance from the regional immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Immigration Services Agency (external site)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/immigration/procedures/minashisainyukoku_00001.html

2. Providing notification to the university (submission of Temporary Departure Notification)

Before leaving Japan, submit a temporary departure notification to the university.
Temporary Departure Notification (university website)

3. Others

- If you are residing in a dormitory under the management of the university, submit a “Notification of Temporary Leave” to its superintendent.
- You should also inform your supervisor in advance.
- If you are on a scholarship, some foundations may require you to submit a notification or may limit the number of days for which you can return to your home country. Make sure to check those points. If you are required to notify a foundation, be sure to contact the foundation or the university in advance.