Introduction

Foreign nationals working in Japan under the “Skilled Labor” status of residence sometimes put off renewal procedures because of their busy work schedule.
For the “Skilled Labor” status, the period of stay shown on the residence card and the card’s validity period are, in principle, identical, unlike certain cases such as Permanent Resident.

This means that once the date on the card has passed, your period of stay has also expired and you may already be in an overstaying situation.
This article explains the risks of missing your period of stay as a Skilled Labor holder and what you can do to minimize the damage, as well as how to prevent the same mistake in the future.

Risks when your period of stay has expired

If you remain in Japan after your period of stay has expired, you are considered to be illegally overstaying and may face various risks.

• Risk of criminal penalties
  Depending on the circumstances, you may be subject to imprisonment or fines.
• Possibility of deportation
  You may be placed in deportation procedures and be forced to leave Japan, and you may be barred from re-entering Japan for a certain period.
• Negative impact on future applications
  A record of overstay can seriously affect future applications for extension, change of status, or permanent residence.

For those who wish to build their careers in Japan under the Skilled Labor status, even a short overstay may have a long-lasting impact, so it should never be taken lightly.

Practical steps after noticing an overstay as a Skilled Labor holder

Doing nothing after realizing that your period of stay has expired is the worst option.
Below is a general flow of what a Skilled Labor holder should do after noticing an overstay.

1. Accurately understand your current situation
   Check your residence card carefully to see when your period of stay expired and how long you have been overstaying.
   How long you have overstayed can significantly affect the immigration authority’s assessment.
2. Contact and appear at the Immigration Services Bureau as soon as possible
   Once you realize you are overstaying, you should promptly contact and visit the Regional Immigration Services Bureau and explain the situation honestly.
   You will be assessed comprehensively based on your explanation, your work record, tax payment, conduct, and other factors.
3. Inform your employer and obtain cooperation
   Since Skilled Labor is a work-related status, employers are also responsible for preventing illegal employment.
   Ask your employer to provide documents such as a certificate of employment, employment contract, and payslips so you can show that you have been working legitimately.
4. Check what procedures are available in your case
   At the Immigration Services Bureau, ask whether there is any possibility for extension of your period of stay or change of status in your particular situation.
   In some cases of short-term overstay with otherwise good conditions, the authority may exceptionally allow continued residence, but this always depends on individual circumstances and is never guaranteed.

Imaginary sample case

The following is an imaginary scenario to help you visualize what may happen.
It does not represent any particular office’s actual case.

Example: Mr. B, a man in his thirties, is working at a restaurant under the Skilled Labor status. His period of stay is valid until 31 March 2026. Because of his heavy work schedule, he puts off the renewal procedure and only notices in mid-April that his card has expired.

At that point, he has already been overstaying for about two weeks.
Reasonable steps for Mr. B would include:

• Immediately contacting the Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over his area and appearing there as instructed.
• Preparing documents such as a certificate of employment, his employment contract, payslips and tax payment records to show that he has been working properly.
• Organizing, possibly with advice from a professional, the reasons why he wishes to continue living in Japan and his ties to Japan, such as work, residence and family.

In such a case, if the overstay is short and his overall situation is good, there may still be a possibility of continued residence, but the outcome differs from case to case and cannot be predicted in advance.
If he has a history of previous violations, the assessment may become much stricter.

Preventing recurrence: practical tips for managing your period of stay

To avoid repeating the same mistake, it is helpful to create a system that makes it hard to forget your period of stay.

• Use your smartphone calendar or reminder function to set multiple alerts, such as three months, two months and one month before the expiry date.
• Keep a copy of your passport and residence card in a place you see often at home or at work so you remain aware of your expiry date.
• Share your period of stay information with your employer so the HR or general affairs department can help you check the renewal timing.
• If you feel unsure about the procedures, consult an administrative scrivener or other professional early and plan together when and what to prepare.

These small steps can significantly reduce the risk of realizing the expiry only after the date has already passed.

Conclusion

For holders of the “Skilled Labor” status, the period of stay and the residence card validity are essentially the same, and once the date has passed you will generally be considered an overstayer.
Overstay may result in deportation and have a serious negative impact on your future applications, including permanent residence.

Even so, if you notice the overstay and act quickly, explain the situation sincerely and prepare appropriate documents, there may still be some room for continued residence depending on the circumstances.
What matters most is not to leave the situation unchecked, to manage your period of stay with a clear system, and to seek professional advice early if you have any concerns.

By treating the management of your period of stay as an integral part of your life and work in Japan, you can protect both your current status and your future plans under the Skilled Labor status of residence.