Know before you go

• Avoid the immigration office on Mondays and Fridays, during holiday seasons and right before/after lunch, as the office is very crowded.
• Download the necessary application forms (extension of visa, re-entry permit application, etc.) and fill them out ahead of time.
• Make sure you have all the necessary documents and don’t forget your passport and alien registration card.
• The office closes for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. If you go too late in the morning, you may have to wait until after lunch to receive your visa and/or re-entry permit.
• Re-entry permits (both single and multiple) are valid for a maximum of three years, even with a five-year visa. Always confirm you have a valid re-entry permit for any overseas trip.

At the immigration office

• You do not have to submit payment until your passport is handed back to you with the new visa/re-entry permit. Submit documents first, then use the waiting time to purchase revenue stamps (the officers cannot accept cash) and fill out a brief payment form. The stamps are available on-site at the immigration office.
• You cannot get a re-entry permit until your visa (renewal) is approved. Most people find it convenient to submit a Re-Entry Permit Application when picking up their new visa, as both can be processed at the same time.