While studying in Japan, Japanese student visa renewal is a mandatory procedure if you wish to continue living legally to enter a new semester, extend your program, or complete your course as planned. However, many international students face difficulties due to late preparation, missing documents, or a lack of understanding of the renewal requirements under Japanese regulations.

In this article, you will clearly understand the conditions for Japanese student visa renewal, the renewal procedures, and step-by-step guidance on how to complete the visa renewal application form in Japan in an easy and practical way.

What is Japanese student visa renewal? When is renewal required?

Japanese student visa renewal (extension of period of stay) is the procedure to apply for an extension of your stay in Japan under the “Student” status when your visa or residence card is about to expire, but you continue studying at your school.

What is Japanese student visa renewal? When is renewal required?

How long is a Japanese student visa valid?

Typically, a Japanese student visa is issued for periods such as 6 months, 1 year, 1 year and 3 months, or 2 years, depending on the study program and the immigration screening results.

Cases in which international students need to renew their visa

You are required to apply for Japanese student visa renewal in the following common situations:

• Your visa/residence card is about to expire but you are still enrolled in school

• You advance to a higher level of education (e.g. vocational school or university)

• You repeat a year or extend your study period due to unmet academic requirements

• You transfer schools or change programs (in some cases, renewal is still required under regulations)

Conditions for Japanese student visa renewal

To successfully complete Japanese student visa renewal, students must meet basic requirements related to academic performance, residency status, and compliance with Japanese laws.

Conditions for Japanese student visa renewal

Mandatory requirements for renewal approval

Common conditions considered during the Japanese student visa renewal process include:

• You are legally enrolled in a school (with an enrollment certificate)

• Stable attendance rate and regular class participation

• No violations of Japanese laws or residency regulations

• No illegal part-time work or exceeding allowed working hours

• Sufficient financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses (clear financial proof)

Factors that may lead to visa renewal rejection

Even with a complete application, the following issues may increase the risk of rejection:

• Low attendance or frequent absences

• Outstanding tuition fees or academic warnings from the school

• Working more hours than legally permitted

• Inconsistent information or errors in the application form

• Insufficient financial documents or unclear reasons for renewal

Note: If you were previously asked to submit additional documents, it is highly recommended to prepare more carefully for the next renewal to avoid prolonged processing time.

Detailed step-by-step procedure for Japanese student visa renewal

If you are unsure where to start, the following is a clear and easy-to-follow guide to the Japanese student visa renewal process.

Step 1: Prepare documents before submission

Preparing documents for Japanese student visa renewal is a crucial step.

You should start preparing your renewal documents 1–2 months before your visa expires, depending on your academic situation and the time required for your school to issue necessary certificates.

Tip: Do not wait until the last minute to apply for Japanese student visa renewal. Many documents issued by schools may take several days or even weeks to process, which could delay your application submission.

Step 2: Where to submit the renewal application?

You must submit your Japanese student visa renewal application at the Japanese Immigration Services Bureau (Nyukan) that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

In most cases, international students are required to submit the application in person, take a queue number, and complete the renewal procedure at the designated counter.

Step 3: Processing time and result notification

The processing time for Japanese student visa renewal varies depending on the region and the completeness of your application. Typical timelines include:

• Fast: approximately 2–3 weeks

• Average: approximately 3–6 weeks

• Longer: if additional documents are requested or further verification is required

Once the result is available, you will receive a notification and return to Nyukan to complete the Japanese student visa renewal procedure and receive your new visa or residence card as instructed.

Step 4: Japanese student visa renewal fee

The fee for Japanese student visa renewal may vary depending on regulations at each time.

You will pay the fee according to the instructions at the immigration office (usually via a revenue stamp) when completing the Japanese student visa renewal procedure at Nyukan.

What documents are required for Japanese student visa renewal?

Preparing a complete and accurate application is a key factor in ensuring a smooth Japanese student visa renewal process.

Mandatory documents for international students

A complete set of documents for Japanese student visa renewal will significantly increase the approval rate.

Generally, the required documents include:

• Passport

• Residence card (在留カード)

• ID photo meeting official requirements (background and size)

• Certificate of enrollment (在学証明書)

• Attendance certificate

• Academic transcript / study results

• Visa renewal application form (official format)

• Supporting documents issued by the school

Supporting documents issued by the school

Supporting documents issued by the school

Depending on the school and individual circumstances, applicants for Japanese student visa renewal may also be required to submit additional documents such as:

• Proof of tuition payment

• Study program information

• Expected graduation certificate

• Financial proof documents (if required)

Additional financial documents for Japanese student visa renewal

In certain cases, the Immigration Services Bureau (Nyukan) may request extra financial-related documents during the Japanese student visa renewal process, including:

• Bank statements

• Documents of the financial sponsor

• Proof of legal income (if applicable)

Visa renewal application form for international students in Japan

In the Japanese student visa renewal application process, the most important document is the visa renewal application form. If the form is filled out incorrectly or missing information, you may be asked to revise or submit additional documents, which can significantly delay the processing time.

Visa renewal application form for international students in Japan

Which application form should international students use?

When applying for Japanese student visa renewal, international students must use the application form under the category “Extension of Period of Stay” for the “Student” status, officially known as:

Application for Extension of Period of Stay (在留期間更新許可申請書)

You can download the official form here:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930004106.pdf

In addition, the form can also be obtained from:

• Your school

• Visa support agencies or application support services

• The Immigration Services Bureau (Nyukan), depending on the region

How to fill in key sections of the application form

When completing the visa renewal application form for Japanese student visa renewal, pay close attention to the following sections:

• Personal information: Full name, date of birth, and nationality must exactly match your passport

• Residential address in Japan: Must match your registered address

• School information: School name, address, and course details

• Requested period of extension: Based on your upcoming study period

• Reason for renewal: Clearly and logically state your purpose (continuing studies, completing the program, etc.)

Common mistakes when filling out the application form

Many students experience delays in Japanese student visa renewal due to small but common mistakes, such as:

• Incorrect phone number, address, or postal code

• School name written incorrectly or not matching official documents

• Renewal reason written too briefly or lacking essential details

• Missing signature or failure to include the date on the form

High-approval tips for Japanese student visa renewal

If you want to increase your approval rate on the first attempt, refer to the following practical tips for Japanese student visa renewal:

High-approval tips for Japanese student visa renewal

• Submit your application early: It is recommended to apply for Japanese student visa renewal at least 4–8 weeks before the expiration date. This allows enough time in case the Immigration Office (Nyukan) requests additional documents.

• Maintain good attendance and stable academic performance: Attendance is a critical factor in Japanese student visa renewal screening. Frequent absences may lead to the assumption that you are not focused on your studies, reducing your chances of approval.

• Avoid exceeding the permitted working hours: Working beyond the legal limit is one of the most common reasons applications are considered high-risk. If you have violated the rules before, prepare a clear explanation and ensure it does not happen again.

• Prepare a neat, accurate, and complete application: Organize documents according to a checklist, prepare necessary copies in advance, ensure consistency across all documents, and ask your school or a support agency to review your forms before submitting your Japanese student visa renewal application.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japanese student visa renewal (FAQ)

1) How long does Japanese student visa renewal take?
Usually 2–6 weeks, depending on the region and the completeness of the application.

2) What if my visa is about to expire but the result is not out yet?
As long as you submitted your application on time and received the acceptance slip, you are considered under legal review according to regulations.

3) Can Japanese student visa renewal be done online?
In most cases, applications must still be submitted in person at Nyukan, depending on current regulations.

4) Can I renew my visa if I transfer to another school?
Yes, but the application requires more detailed documentation and supporting documents from the new school.

Reliable Japanese student visa renewal support service at ANKOI

If you are worried about complicated documents, low attendance, or are unsure how to complete the application form correctly, choosing a reliable support service can help you save time and reduce the risk of application rejection.

Reliable Japanese student visa renewal support service at ANKOI

Why should international students choose ANKOI for Japanese student visa renewal?

ANKOI provides professional and structured support for Japanese student visa renewal, following the correct procedures:

• Personalized consultation on Japanese student visa renewal conditions based on each individual case

• Guidance on preparing complete and accurate documents to avoid missing paperwork

• Support in correctly completing the visa renewal application form for international students in Japan

• Assistance throughout the process when additional documents are requested by Immigration

ANKOI supports challenging Japanese student visa renewal cases

ANKOI offers in-depth support for difficult situations, including:

• Applications previously requested for additional documents by Nyukan

• Low attendance rates or unsatisfactory academic performance

• School transfers or program changes

• Consultation and assistance in clearly explaining the reason for visa renewal

If you want to complete your Japanese student visa renewal smoothly while minimizing risks, you can contact ANKOI for detailed guidance tailored to your actual situation.

In summary, Japanese student visa renewal is a crucial procedure that allows you to continue studying and living legally in Japan. By meeting the renewal conditions, understanding the renewal procedures, and correctly completing the visa renewal application form, you can significantly reduce the risk of delays or additional document requests.

If you need step-by-step guidance, document review before submission, or support with complex cases (low attendance, school transfer, missing documents, etc.), contact ANKOI today for fast and accurate consultation.
Message ANKOI now to receive free initial document checking and guidance for your Japanese student visa renewal.