Hello Community, I moved out of Japan as part of my work relocation to US couple of years ago. I have the PR (Eijuken) that I obtained before I move. When I moved I also got the 5 year re-entry permit. My Zairyu card has the validity date till 2024 Aug. Do I need to come to Japan to renew Zairyu or can I do this later but before the 5 year re entry permit expires. Please share any experience you may have on this.
by CalmEntertainer48
4 comments
From what I know, permanent residency doesn’t expire. Just you should get a new card every 7 years. With the reentry permit you should still be fine. I’d ask a local Japanese embassy about it. Not sure you can get a new zairyuu card there or not.
In Japan PR can be taken away or lost. I believe one way of losing it is by not renewing your Zairuy card. To renew it you must be a resident of Japan at the time of renewal and you cannot do it earlier.
From my understanding you always have to have a Japanese address while you have eijuken, and if you move (within Japan), you have to report your new address within 2 weeks, otherwise that can be grounds to lose your eijuken.
To answer your question though, you definitely need to renew your card before it expires. You might be able to do this from abroad, but your bigger issue is a lack of a Japanese address. Unless you already registered yourself living at a relative’s or friend’s house?
I have some vague memories from a similar situation, and you should definately double-check, but I think the Re-Entry is the part that really matters. The Zairyu card might be closer to a drivers license card, where the card expiring doesn’t change your status.