photo by Lucas
When you move to Japan for any reason, study, business or something else, you will most likely have load of things to sort out. Getting a residency card takes on top priority above anything else. In 2012, previously existed the alien registration system was abolished and residency cards were introduced under the new residency management system. A residency card is a very important ID for foreign nationals residing in Japan. It is to be presented in so many occasions including lease agreements, employment contracts and other.
About a residency card
A residency card is issued to all mid to long-term residents and detailed information of the holder such as name, DOB, nationality, address in Japan, visa status is printed on it. All or part of the information printed on the resident card is recorded in an IC chip embedded in order to protect the resident cards from being forged or altered. A resident card is a photo ID and used in many occasions to verify the holder’s identity in Japan. All residents who are 16 or above are required by law to bring a residency card with them to present it anytime when requested.
Who does NOT need a residency card?
- Persons granted permission to stay for 3 months or less
- Persons granted “Temporary Visitor” status
- Persons granted “Diplomat” or “Official” status
- Persons recognized by Ministry of Justice ordinance as equivalent to the foreign nationals in the aforementioned 1 to 3
- Special permanent residents
- Persons with no resident status
Who needs a residency card?
All foreign nationals who do not fall into any of 1 to 6 stated above.
Expiry date of residency card
Expiry date of the residency card is printed on the front of the card.
- Permanent resident
16 years or older：7 years from the date of issue
Under 16 years old：Up to his/her 16th birthday - Persons other than permanent residents
16 years or older：The expiration date of the period of stay
Under 16 years old：Whichever comes earlier, the expiration date of the period of stay, or his/her 16th birthday
※Permanent resident visa holders and under 16 years olds must renew their residency card before the expiry date.
Details shown on the resident card
Your resident card contains a number of your personal details. If there is any change in your details, you must update or replace your resident card at your nearest immigration office or municipal office as soon as possible. Your address, more than anything, should be registered as soon as you settled down in a new place after your arrival in Japan.
- Name, DOB, gender, nationality or region
- Address
- Visa status, the period of stay and the expiration date of the period of stay
- Type of permission and the date of permission granted
- Card number, date of issue and expiry date
- Work permission status
- Details of a permission to engage in activity other than that permitted, if any (e.g. work permission for students)
How to obtain a resident card
photo by immi-moj
At airport
Passengers arriving at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, and Kansai Airports will be issued a resident card when they get a seal of landing verification at the immigration clearance. All foreign residents are required to bring their resident cards and passports to a municipal office of the area to notify the minister of Justice of their residential address in Japan.
At a municipal office
If passengers are entering Japan from any other airports, a notice will be stamped next to a seal of landing verification as shown in the picture. Your resident card will be posted to you after you resister your residential address at the municipal office. You normally receive the card approximately 10days after the registration of address. Your residential address must be registered within 14days after it is determined.
Keep your resident card updated!
Foreign residents are required to notify the Immigration Bureau when there is any change of your details shown on the resident card. Depending on the category of change, you need to go to either of a local municipal office or a regional immigration office.
At a municipal office
- Change of address
When you moved to a new address, you must notify the change of address at a local municipal office within 14days after the move. Under the new residency management system, all foreign nationals are subject to the Basic Resident Registers Network of Japan. Therefore resident card holders can register all moving-in, moving-out and notice of change of address for the resident card all at once. Make sure you bring your resident card with you.
At a local immigration office
- Notification of a change of name, date of birth, gender, or nationality/region
- Application for updating the validity period of the resident card
- Application for re-issuance of a resident card
- Notification concerning the organization to which the applicant belongs, or the spouse
Any other changes other than residential address can be registered or apply at a local immigration office. When you go there to register or apply for anything, you are required to bring your passport, ID photo, the resident card most of the time. If any of your details have changed, you are required to visit a local immigration office within 14days after the change occurred to update your details.
Summary
For all mid to long-term residents in Japan, resident cards will be important photo ID. It is easy if you are landing either of Narita, Haneda, Kansai of Chubu airports as you will get one at the immigration clearance. Though, there are many more international airports in Japan. If you are entering the country from any other airports, make sure to apply for a resident card at one of municipal offices after your arrival.
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