Life in Japan and Beyond

I went to renew my residence card at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau Saitama Branch Office today. Despite repeatedly checking the official website to ensure I had all the necessary documents, one of them turned out to be incorrect. They required a different document instead.

My husband, who has been living here for quite some time, still finds it challenging to differentiate between similar documents, which is a common source of anxiety for many foreigners dealing with immigration matters. The official website does not clearly specify the exact documents needed. Providing clear examples on their website would likely save everyone’s time and reduce the stress associated with the process.

Fortunately, my husband and I were able to obtain the correct document from a nearby convenience store (conbini). If you’re also due to renew your zairyu card soon, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

Let’s go through the immigration procedure so you’ll know what to expect on the day of your application. Here’s the process at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau Saitama Branch Office:

1. The office officially opens at 9 am, but they allow people to enter a few minutes before 8:30 am.
2. At 8:30 am, they begin distributing numbers and checking documents simultaneously.
3. Their official work starts at 9 am. If there are no issues with your application form and documents, you’ll be ready to go home.

I was pleasantly surprised when we finished before 9:30 am this time, which was a much quicker experience compared to my previous visits. Was it luck this time? I’m not sure, but I hope it will be the same next time. I also hope to get my extension of stay approved and receive my new residence card very soon.

This time, I’ll provide the complete list of requirements I was asked to submit at the receiving counter. Please note that I’m a housewife married to a Korean national.

1. Current residence card
2. Valid passport
3. Application for Extension of Period of Stay form (available for download on their website)
4. Recent photograph (I took mine at a Kirei photo booth)
5. Taxation Certificate (課税証明書)
6. Residence Certificate (住民票)
7. Guarantee Letter by your permanent resident spouse (form available for download on their website)

Here are a few tips to help you have a smooth experience:

1. Arrive early: Aim to be there before 8 am if you want to finish early. We arrived around 8 am, and there were already about 20 people in line.
2. Double-check your application forms: Ensure all forms are completely filled out and accurate.
3. Attach your photograph: Don’t forget to paste your picture onto the application form.

That’s about it! Despite the many negative reviews I’ve read recently, the process was surprisingly quick, and the two staff members who assisted us were courteous and professional. I hope this information helps you. Feel free to ask me anything about this process.