Provisional Landing Permission

When Provisional Landing Permission is Granted

Provisional Landing Permission is issued during the landing examination. This applies to both new entries and those entering under re-entry permits.

Generally, the landing examination consists of up to the following three stages:

1. Examination by an Immigration Inspector
2. Oral Hearing by a Special Inquiry Officer
3. Objection to the Minister of Justice

Usually, the process concludes at the first stage. However, if the application is not approved at that stage, it may proceed to the second or third stages of re-examination. Since these stages:

• Oral Hearing by a Special Inquiry Officer
• Objection to the Minister of Justice

can take a significant amount of time, foreign nationals who wish to land temporarily may be granted Provisional Landing Permission to stay in Japan until the final result is determined, as staying at the airport examination area for multiple days is not feasible.

When Provisional Landing Permission is Denied

Requesting this permission does not guarantee its approval. It may be denied if:

• There is a risk that the foreign national may abscond during the provisional landing period.
• There is a risk that they may violate the conditions of the provisional landing (listed below).

Outcome of Provisional Landing Permission

Provisional landing is merely a status while awaiting the result of the landing examination. If the examination result is favorable, standard landing permission is granted. If permission is denied, the individual must depart Japan promptly.

Prompt Departure Upon Denial

If the result is negative during the provisional landing, departing promptly as instructed constitutes a lawful departure. However, if the stay is unlawfully prolonged, it falls under grounds for deportation, and the deportation process will begin.

Conditions and Restrictions of Provisional Landing

Even if Provisional Landing Permission is granted, it is subject to more restrictions than standard permission. It is not equivalent to a full residence status. The following conditions apply:

• Restrictions on activities other than those necessary for landing procedures (prohibition of work or activities related to the original purpose of landing).
• Restrictions on residence (limited to the municipality where the airport or seaport is located).
• Restrictions on range of movement (limited to the area of the restricted residence).
• Obligation to appear when summoned.
• Other conditions deemed necessary.

Payment of Deposit

Payment of a deposit of up to 2 million yen (1 million yen for minors) may be ordered. As this is a deposit, it will be refunded once the final result of the procedures is determined.

Forfeiture of Deposit

If the above conditions or restrictions are violated, an amount up to half of the deposit may be forfeited depending on the circumstances.

However, the deposit will be **forfeited in full** if:

• The foreign national absconds during the provisional landing period.
• The foreign national violates the conditions of provisional landing.

Form of Permission

Provisional Landing Permission is granted through the issuance of a “Provisional Landing Permit.” This document justifies your stay in Japan; therefore, you must carry it at all times. Passports must be surrendered at the airport or seaport during the examination process.

Detention of Persons under Provisional Landing

If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person with Provisional Landing Permission may abscond, a written detention order may be issued by a supervising inspector and executed by an immigration control officer.

The detention period may last until the result of the landing examination is determined.