photo by Javier Micora
So, your stay in Japan is about to end. You must be excited about finally going home and a little saddened about leaving Japan at the same time. Also, you have all packing, sending, and notifications to a local office to sort out, including notifications relating to social security system in Japan that shouldn’t be overlooked. So, this column will revise things you should do before you leave Japan for good.
Moving-out notification
A mid-to-long term resident who are permanently leaving Japan is required to file a moving-out notification at a municipal office. If you are filing your notification by yourself, you just need to bring your resident card (or special permanent resident certificate) and other ID such as passport. Submission period may vary by each municipality but generally you can submit it from 2 weeks before you move out. Remember moving-out notification must be submitted first of all as other applications like withdrawal from National Pension System and National Health Insurance cannot be done before it. If you leave japan without filing a moving-out notification, you may be required to pay National Health Insurance contribution after you return your county or your application for Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment for National Pension may be declined.
Moving to other city or leaving Japan: Moving-out notification
Procedures relating to pension (If you have enrolled in pension system)
Procedures vary depending on if you are covered by the international social security agreement or not.
If you are covered by international social security agreement
If you are covered by the international social security agreement and exempt from Japanese social security system, you don’t need to do anything. If you have solely enrolled in Japanese pension system under the social security agreement, you need to decide between totalizing your coverage period in the future and receiving a lump-sum withdrawal payment. One thing you have to remember is, you cannot totalize your coverage period once you quit Japanese pension system and receive a lump-sum withdrawal payment. Also, lump-sum withdrawal payment is worth only a part of total sum of contributions you have paid. Accordingly, you may end up receiving more money in the future if you don’t choose lump-sum withdrawal payment. So, choose carefully.
If you are NOT covered by international social security agreement
If you are a mid-to-long term resident who are not covered by the international social security agreement and have been paid pension contribution for 6-months or more, you are entitled to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment. You must meet a few conditions to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment, but most importantly, you must reside outside of Japan. For instance, you must file a moving-out notification (overseas) to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment. Also, you cannot claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment until you return to your country. So, make sure to take your pension book home with you.
Accessing pension earlier: Lump-sum withdrawal payments of the EPI system
Returning home? The Lump-sum withdrawal payments of the NP system
Withdraw from National Health Insurance
Every mid-to-long term resident residing in Japan is obligated to enroll in some kind of public health insurance. When leaving Japan, you need to withdraw from the public health insurance you have been joined. If you are an employee, your employer will arrange your withdrawal from Employee’s Health Insurance System on behalf of you. If you are covered by National Health Insurance on the other hand, you will need to visit your local office by yourself to file a withdrawal notification. You will need to bring your passport, resident card (or special permanent resident certificate), insurance card and a proof of planned departure date such as a flight itinerary. Once you submit a withdrawal notification with other required documents, the expiry date on your insurance card will be updated to your planned departure date. Also, your account will be balanced at the same time. You will be required to settle unpaid premium on the day and any overpayment will be refunded on later date.
To Do List when Leaving Japan – How to Quit National Health Insurance
Submit notification concerning the accepting organization or the spouse
If you are a student, employee or other type of mid-to-long term resident whose status of residence is based on his/her social relationship, you have to submit either of notification concerning an organization for the activity, notification concerning a contracting organization or notification concerning a spouse if there is any change in such social relationship. In majority of cases, such status holders return home due to termination of employment or contract, or extinguishment of the organization, however, you need to submit a right notification most suitable to your situation. You can submit a notification concerning the accepting organization or the spouse by visiting a regional immigration office in your area or sending it to Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau by post. In both cases, a notification must be submitted within 14days from the day such a change occurred.
Students and employees, learn about Notification concerning the accepting organization or the spouse
Return resident card
When a foreign nationals staying in Japan depart from Japan without obtaining a re-entry permit, they must return their resident card to a customs officer at the port of departure. If you wish to take your resident card home with you, the customs officer will punch a hole on your card to invalidate it and return it to you.
Return Individual Number Notification Card or Individual Number Card
Since the Individual Number System came into effect in January 2016, Individual Number is allocated to every resident who has registered the residential address in Japan. Accordingly, all the registered residents in Japan must have an Individual Number Notification Card or Individual Number Card. If a mid-to-long-term resident are leaving Japan without a re-entry permit, he/she must return his/her Individual Notification Card or Individual Number Card to a municipal office. Residents use the same number throughout a lifetime unless there is a suspicion of unauthorized use caused by information leak. Therefore other card that shows Individual Number will be issued upon return of Individual Number Notification Card or Individual Number Card, so that the person can use the same number when he/she returns to Japan to reside next time. Most of the time, a void Individual Number Notification Card or Individual Number Card will be returned to the holders.
Attention registered residents, the Individual Number system has been newly introduced
Au revoir!
So, it seems there are lots of paper works you have to submit before you leave Japan. Of course you have to deal with many other things such as sorting your belongings or terminating tenancy agreement of your apartment. But don’t forget these important applications. Remember, moving-out notification is the first thing you should complete. By the way, these paper works are for residents who are leaving Japan for good. All these applications are irrelevant if you are re-entering Japan after temporary departure from the country.
