Do the extension and the work permit expire together?

Not necessarily. Track both expiry dates separately and plan the renewals ahead.

What if I change employer?

Both the work permit side and the immigration side must be handled under the applicable rules; take advice before resigning so the status does not lapse.

Must reporting always be done in person?

Several channels are announced by the Immigration Bureau and the available channels change; check with the office covering your area.

How do I ask for help preparing the file?

Contact our staff by phone, LINE or e-mail with the office where you will file and your current stay expiry date.

Consultant helping a foreign client prepare visa and work-permit documents

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow

Quick answer

An extension of stay for employment is filed at the Immigration office covering the workplace or residence and is a separate application from the work permit. It must generally be filed before the permitted stay stamped in the passport expires, with documents from both the employer and the applicant. Conditions, documents and timeframes vary by office, so check with the office where you will file each time.

Key facts and the responsible authority

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow
Deciding authority	The Immigration Bureau office covering the workplace or the place of residence
Relationship to the work permit	A separate application, but the files are cross-checked: employer, job title and workplace must match across all documents
When to file	Before the permitted stay expires; many offices advise filing in advance — confirm the window with your office
Duties after approval	Periodic reporting as required by law, and notification of a foreigner’s accommodation, which is a duty of the house owner or occupier
Travelling while holding an extension	Leaving without the document permitting re-entry can end the extension; check the condition with Immigration before travelling

Document checklist and the certification involved

Passport with the stamp pages and arrival card
Copies signed by the applicant as the office requires
A valid work permit
Employer and job title must match the documents filed with Immigration
Employer corporate documents and evidence of operations
Usually registrar-certified and issued within the window the office sets
Tax and social security evidence as the office requires
The items requested differ by office; ask for the current list before filing
A map of the workplace and photographs where required
Some offices prescribe a specific format; follow that office’s sample

Step by step

Get the current document list from the office where you will file: Lists differ between offices, so use that office’s own list rather than one from another source.
Reconcile the data across every document: Name, job title, workplace address and work permit number must be identical throughout the set.
File before the permitted stay expires: Queue or book under that office’s system and allow time for additional documents to be requested.
Comply with the duties after approval: Report on the required cycle and ensure the accommodation notification is filed when you move or re-enter the country.

What to do

Set calendar alerts for the end of the permitted stay, the reporting cycle and the work permit expiry.
Keep every filing receipt and appointment slip as evidence.
If you move, ensure the accommodation notification is filed immediately under the house owner’s duty.

What to avoid

Do not file after the permitted stay ends — overstaying has legal consequences and affects later applications.
Mismatches between the work permit and the extension file are a frequent cause of rejection.
Do not substitute another office’s document list for the one used by your filing office.

Frequently asked questions

Do the extension and the work permit expire together?: Not necessarily. Track both expiry dates separately and plan the renewals ahead.
What if I change employer?: Both the work permit side and the immigration side must be handled under the applicable rules; take advice before resigning so the status does not lapse.
Must reporting always be done in person?: Several channels are announced by the Immigration Bureau and the available channels change; check with the office covering your area.
How do I ask for help preparing the file?: Contact our staff by phone, LINE or e-mail with the office where you will file and your current stay expiry date.

Official sources

Checked on 2026-08-04; requirements change, so confirm with the authority before filing.

Ask our team

The required documents and timing depend on the receiving office in each case. Contact our team to confirm the checklist before you file.

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow

Quick answer

Key facts and the responsible authority

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow
Deciding authority	The Immigration Bureau office covering the workplace or the place of residence
Relationship to the work permit	A separate application, but the files are cross-checked: employer, job title and workplace must match across all documents
When to file	Before the permitted stay expires; many offices advise filing in advance — confirm the window with your office
Duties after approval	Periodic reporting as required by law, and notification of a foreigner’s accommodation, which is a duty of the house owner or occupier
Travelling while holding an extension	Leaving without the document permitting re-entry can end the extension; check the condition with Immigration before travelling

Document checklist and the certification involved

Passport with the stamp pages and arrival card
Copies signed by the applicant as the office requires
A valid work permit
Employer and job title must match the documents filed with Immigration
Employer corporate documents and evidence of operations
Usually registrar-certified and issued within the window the office sets
Tax and social security evidence as the office requires
The items requested differ by office; ask for the current list before filing
A map of the workplace and photographs where required
Some offices prescribe a specific format; follow that office’s sample

Step by step

Get the current document list from the office where you will file: Lists differ between offices, so use that office’s own list rather than one from another source.
Reconcile the data across every document: Name, job title, workplace address and work permit number must be identical throughout the set.
File before the permitted stay expires: Queue or book under that office’s system and allow time for additional documents to be requested.
Comply with the duties after approval: Report on the required cycle and ensure the accommodation notification is filed when you move or re-enter the country.

What to do

Set calendar alerts for the end of the permitted stay, the reporting cycle and the work permit expiry.
Keep every filing receipt and appointment slip as evidence.
If you move, ensure the accommodation notification is filed immediately under the house owner’s duty.

What to avoid

Do not file after the permitted stay ends — overstaying has legal consequences and affects later applications.
Mismatches between the work permit and the extension file are a frequent cause of rejection.
Do not substitute another office’s document list for the one used by your filing office.

Frequently asked questions

Do the extension and the work permit expire together?: Not necessarily. Track both expiry dates separately and plan the renewals ahead.
What if I change employer?: Both the work permit side and the immigration side must be handled under the applicable rules; take advice before resigning so the status does not lapse.
Must reporting always be done in person?: Several channels are announced by the Immigration Bureau and the available channels change; check with the office covering your area.
How do I ask for help preparing the file?: Contact our staff by phone, LINE or e-mail with the office where you will file and your current stay expiry date.

Ask our team

The required documents and timing depend on the receiving office in each case. Contact our team to confirm the checklist before you file.

ใบอนุญาตทนายผู้ทำคำรับรองลายมือชื่อและเอกสาร

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow

Quick answer

Key facts and the responsible authority

Document checklist and the certification involved

Step by step

What to do

What to avoid

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Related pages

Ask our team

Applying to Immigration for an extension of stay to work — what to prepare, when to file, and the duties that follow

Quick answer

Key facts and the responsible authority

Document checklist and the certification involved

Step by step

What to do

What to avoid

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Related pages

Ask our team