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Foreign Resident Registration/ Residence Card

Foreign Resident Registration/ Residence Card

Immigration Bureau of Japan

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/index.html

The new residency control, Resident Card system, will be introduced when the amended Immigration Control Act becomes effective from July 9, 2012, and the current Foreign Resident Registration system will be then discontinued.

Those entering Japan before July 9, 2012

→ Foreign Resident Registration is required at the local ward/city office after you arrive.

Those entering Japan on/after July 9, 2012

→ Residence Card is issued at the port of entry if you intend to enter with Student visa.

【Foreign Resident Registration】

If you enter Japan before July 9, 2012, and intend to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you must register as a resident at the ward/city office (Kuyakusho/Shiyakusho) in the area you reside. Visit your local ward/city office with your passport and two ID photos at your earliest convenience after arriving in Japan.

Upon request, the ward office will issue you Kisai-jiko-shomeisho, the Certificate of proof that your Foreign Resident Registration is being processed, since it takes 4-6 weeks before the Foreign Registration Card is issued: you may be asked to present your Foreign Registration Card (or Kisai-jiko-shomeisho) to open a bank account or purchase a mobile phone. The Kisai-jiko-shomeisho costs 300yen.

When there is any change in your personal status in Japan (e.g., home address, residential (visa) status, period of your visa, marriage status), you must report this information to your local ward/city office immediately.

Since Foreign Resident Registration card acts as your primary identification card, you are required to carry it with you at all times.

【Residence Card (Zairyu card)】

For those who enter Japan after July 9, 2012 and intend to stay in Japan for the medium to long period, the Residence Card will be issued at the passport control when entering Japan. The Residence Card is a plastic card with an IC chip embedded, and it contains your personal information.

Refer to the following website for the detailed information of this new system.
Immigration Bureau of Japan -Start of a new residency management system-

When you do not have the address in Japan at the time of entry, you must report your home address to the local ward/city office within 14 days of entry. Also, you are required to report to the local ward/city office within 14 days when you change your home address.

When there is any change in your name or nationality due to marriage, you must report to the local immigration office within 14 days.

Furthermore, when you are admitted to other university than you originally entered, you are also required to report the change to the immigration office.

Since Residence Card acts as your primary identification card, you are required to carry it with you at all times.

For those who have done Foreign Resident Registration are required to keep the Foreign Registration card until the visa expiration of date: Residence Card will be issued upon renewing the visa.