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Why was my period of stay shortened when I renewed my 定住者 visa?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 18 April 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026　／　Supervised by 佐藤拓行政書士

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）

Who this article is forAn enquiry from a 定住者 whose period of stay was cut from 3 years to 1 year at renewal.

Answer

A period of stay can be shortened for several reasons: whether you live with your spouse, your financial position and your conduct. Living apart from a spouse in particular can raise doubts about whether you still need to be in Japan. The first step is to find out the reason, from the renewal notice or from the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from a 定住者 whose period of stay was cut from 3 years to 1 year at renewal.

Subject: 在留期間更新許可申請 (Application for Extension of Period of Stay) for a 定住者 visa
Situation: the enquirer filed a 在留期間更新許可申請 as a 定住者 and it was granted, but the period of stay was cut from 3 years to 1 year. Her spouse is a 3rd-generation descendant of Japanese emigrants and also a 定住者. He has now moved his address abroad and mostly lives outside Japan.
Question: what reasons can lie behind a shortened period of stay? What should be done from here?

What can cause a period of stay to be shortened?

Whether you live with your spouse, your financial position and your conduct.

The 定住者 visa is a status of residence that allows you to live in Japan long term, but the period of stay is decided by the Regional Immigration Services Bureau according to your circumstances. Where the period is shortened at renewal, the following reasons can lie behind it.

Whether you live with your spouse: where permission rests on the relationship with a spouse, not living together is an important factor that can cast doubt on the need for you to stay. Whether the marriage is real is examined strictly.
Financial position: if your income or assets are judged to be unstable, the period of stay may be shortened.
Conduct: past breaches of the law or traffic offences can also affect the period of stay.
Other matters: if the Regional Immigration Services Bureau has any concern about how you are living in Japan, the period of stay may be shortened.

Your spouse is a 3rd-generation descendant of Japanese emigrants and you are not living together at present. That is likely to be the main reason why the period of stay was shortened this time.

What should I do from here?

Find out the reason, either resume living together or explain why you live apart, and evidence your base of life.

Find out the reason: check whether a reason is given on the renewal notice you received. If not, ask the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your area directly.
Resume living together: if living apart is temporary and you plan to live together again, explain when and how. If you have resumed living together, prepare documents proving it, such as a residence record at the new address.
Explain why you live apart: if living apart will last a long time or there is no prospect of it ending, explain the reason clearly and in detail. If the circumstances are beyond your control, submit documents proving them, such as a certificate showing that a relative needs 介護 (nursing care).
Evidence a stable base of life: prepare documents showing that your income and assets are stable, such as a certificate of income or a copy of your bank passbook.
Consult a specialist: if you are worried, speak to a specialist such as a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi) or a lawyer.

For the 定住者 visa, weight is placed on the facts on which permission was granted, and on whether they continue. Whether you live with your spouse is one especially important factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does living apart from my spouse affect the period of stay?

Yes. Where the 定住者 visa rests on the relationship with a spouse, not living together is an important factor that can cast doubt on the need for you to stay.

Where can I find out why my period of stay was shortened?

Check whether a reason is given on the renewal notice you received. If not, it is best to ask the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your area directly.

What if there is a good reason for living apart?

Explain that reason clearly and in detail, and submit documents proving it, such as a certificate showing that a relative needs nursing care.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.