This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
The employee can give up the status of residence and leave Japan; that part is done at the airport. However, it is risky for the company to leave the application as it is. Submit a 「申請取下書」 (written withdrawal of the application) to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and make the notification concerning the accepting organisation within 14 days of the resignation. If this is left undone, there is a risk that it will affect screening when your company applies for another foreign national in future.
An enquiry from an HR manager whose employee has decided to resign and return home while the extension application is still being screened.
Yes. The procedure is complete once the 在留カード is handed in at the airport.
Within the 特例期間 (grace period), leaving Japan without waiting for the result of the extension application is legally possible.
Never leave it. Risks remain on the company's side.
It is easy to think that "the person has left Japan and the status of residence has ceased, so the Regional Immigration Services Bureau will know". But there is a time lag in the sharing of data between the screening section and the immigration control section at the airport.
A notice arrives from the Regional Immigration Services Bureau saying "permission for the extension has been given; please come and collect the new card". If this is ignored and left, it is treated as "permission was given but nobody came to collect it" and as raising the question "is there a problem with how this company manages the foreign nationals it accepts?" There is a risk that, when your company hires another foreign national and applies in future, screening becomes stricter or the result takes longer to come through.
If the employee later wants to work in Japan again, a past application left unresolved may be treated as showing a lack of good faith in how he conducted his residence, and can become a factor leading to denial.
2 things: submit the 申請取下書, and make the notification within 14 days of the resignation.
If the only question is whether the employee can leave Japan, handing in the 在留カード at the airport is enough. But from the point of view of protecting the company's future applications, we recommend not begrudging the effort of tidying up afterwards. This article is based on information as at May 2026 (2026年5月). Practice on leaving Japan during a pending extension application, and on withdrawal, may differ in points of detail between Regional Immigration Services Bureaux.
Up to 2 months from the expiration date of the period of stay. In the case described here, the period of stay expired on 12 May and the 特例期間 runs until 12 July.
He tells the inspector that he does not plan to re-enter Japan, and does not tick the box for 「みなし再入国許可による出国」 (departure under a Special Re-entry Permit) on the EDカード. The 在留カード is invalidated on the spot and returned to him.
Yes. It is accepted at the counter and also by post.
It is a legal duty under the 入管法, so please make it within 14 days of the date of resignation. Leaving it undone affects future applications.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.