Chapter 2

Residence Card
A residence card is an ID for foreign residents in Japan. It shows your identification information,

Chapter 3

1

Chapter 1

Procedures for
Entry/ Residence

Chapter 1

period of stay, your status of residence, and so on.
		A Person who is 16 years and over need to carry

his / her residence card at all times.
		

It can be used as an ID when you carry out anofficial procedure at local government or enter into
a contract.

called mid-to-long-term resident.)

A person granted permission to stay for three months or lessii.		

A person granted “Temporary Visitor” status of residenceiii.		A persons granted “Diplomat” or “Official” status of residenceiv.		

A staff members of the Japanese office of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (Taipei

Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, etc.), or Permanent General Mission ofv.		

A special permanent residentvi.		

A person with no statuses of residence

Issuance of Residence Cardi		

When a new landing permit is given at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Airport,

Kansai Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hiroshima Airport, and Fukuoka Airport➡		A residence card is issued at the airport.

1

Chapter 12

A residence card is mainly issued at the following time

Chapter 11

1-1

Chapter 10

Palestine in Japan who has “Designated Activities” status of residence, and his / her families

Chapter 9i.		

Chapter 8

Six cases in which residence card is not issued

Chapter 7

A residence cards is issued to a person who stay in Japan over three months. (The person is

Chapter 6

A Person to Whom Residence Card Is Issued

Chapter 5•

Chapter 4•

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residenceii		When a new landing permit is given at an airport or a port not mentioned above
Please submit a moving-in notification to the municipal office where you live. Afterthat your Residence Card will be delivered to your house by mail.
iii		

When you receive permission for extension of the period of stay
Please apply for extension of period of stay (cf. 2-1) at the Regional Immigration

Services Bureau (including district offices and branch offices of the regional immigration
services bureau; the same shall apply hereinafter) before your period of stay expires. A
iv		

When you receive permission for change of the status of residence➡		

If you need to change your status of residence, please apply for change of status ofwill be issued if your application is permitted.
v		

When you receive permission for acquisition of status of residence
If a child is born in Japan without Japanese nationality, and wishes to continue to stayin Japan beyond 60 days after he or she is born, it is necessary to apply for acquisition of
his/her status of residence at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 30 daysis permitted.

Moving In Notification
A person who has had been issued a Residence Card need to register his / her address /determined.
To file the notification, either a Residence Card or passport is needed.

Loss of Residence Card
You need to apply for reissuance of a residence card at the Regional Immigration Services

Bureau within 14 days of the day when the loss is known.

Chapter 11

Necessary Documents		Passport•		

A photograph (4 cm long × 3 cm wide, taken within the last three months. You don’t needto submit a photograph if you are under 16.)
		 Documentation that proves reasons for loss of the Residence Card (Certificate of Lost
Property Report, Report of Theft, Disaster Victim Notification, etc.)•		

An application for reissuance of a Residence Card

See the following URL for details:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00010.html

2

Chapter 12••

Chapter 10

1-3

Chapter 9

See: Chapter 2-1, 1-1

Chapter 8

place of residence (file moving-in notification) within 14 days after his / her residence has been

Chapter 7

1-2

Chapter 6

from the date of birth (cf. 2-4). A new residence card will be issued if his/her application

Chapter 5➡		Chapter 4

residence at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau (cf. 2-2). A new residence card

Chapter 3

new residence card will be issued if your application is permitted.

Chapter 2➡		Chapter 1➡		1Procedures for Entry/ Residence

1-4

Return of Residence Card•		

(leaving Japan after finishing your activities)

Please return your residence card to an Immigration officer at an airport or seaport when

you leave Japan.
		When a family member or someone you live with died•		 If you left Japan with re-entry permit but did not return toChapter 3•

Chapter 2

Departure

Chapter 1

You need to return your residence card in the following circumstances:

Japan within the validity period of the permit		When you were naturalized as a Japanese citizen

In the cases above, please return your residence card•		Bring the residence card to the nearest Regional

Immigration Services Bureau.
		Send the residence card by mailTo:

Odaiba Branch Office, the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Chapter 6•

Chapter 5

within 14 days by one of the following methods.

Chapter 4•

Tokyo Port Joint Government Building 9F, 2-7-11 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00020.html

Chapter 8

see the following URL for details:

Chapter 7(Please write “Return of the Residence Card” on the front of the envelope)

Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 1231Procedures for Entry/ Residence

Extension of period of stay (renewal of period of stay)

period of stay, you need to apply for an extension of period of stay at a
Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

Chapter 4

Necessary Documents		Passport•		

Residence Card (if you have been issued one already)•		

A photograph (4 cm long × 3 cm wide, taken within three months, not required for persons

under the age of 16.)
An application form for extension of period of stayhttps://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3-1.html
		Documentation that specifies your planned activities in Japan etc.

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/shin_zairyu_koshin10_01.html

If you want to change your purpose of residence, you need to apply forchange of status of residence at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

Chapter 10

Necessary Documents		Passport•		

Residence Card (If you have been issued one already)•		

A photograph (4 cm long × 3 cm wide, taken within three months, not required for persons

under the age of 16)
An application form for change of status of residence

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2-1.html•

		Documentation that specifies your planned activities in Japan etc.

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/zairyu_henko10.html

4Chapter 12		Chapter 11••

Chapter 9

Change of status of residence (Change of purpose ofresidence)

Chapter 82-2

Chapter 7•

Chapter 6

		Chapter 5••

Chapter 3

If you wishto continue to stay in Japan beyond your currently authorized

Chapter 2

2-1

Procedures relating to status ofresidence

Chapter 12

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

2-3

Permission for permanent residence

permanent residence is granted, you can engage in any activity in Japan and stay in Japan as
extend your period of stay or change your status of residence.

•		

Chapter 3

Necessary Documents
Passport		

Residence Card•		

A photograph (4 cm long × 3 cm wide, taken within three months, not required for thoseunder 16 years old)		An application form for Permanent Residence•		

Other necessary documents

See the following URL for details:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-4.html

Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Permission to acquire status of residence (If you
gave birth to a child in Japan)

Chapter 5•

Chapter 4•2-4Chapter 2long as you like without any restrictions. Furthermore, you do not have to carry out procedures to

Chapter 1

Those who wish to reside permanently in Japan need to apply for permanent residence. If

If a child is born in Japan without Japanese nationality, and wishes to continue to stay in Japanstatus of residence at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau within 30 days from the date ofbirth.
other documents (see the following for details) are required, please register a birth at an office of municipality before
applying for acquisition of a status of residence at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

Chapter 10

See: Chapter 4 2-1 Registration of a birth.

Necessary Documents		Passport (if one has been issued already)•		

An application form for permission to acquire status of residence

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-10.html
municipality) or other documents that proof birth•		

Documentation that specifies the child’s planned activity in Japan

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/zairyu_henko10.html•

		 A copy of your Certificate of Residence or Certificate of entry items in
Resident Register (You can get it at office of municipality)

5

Chapter 12

		 Certificate of entry items in birth notification (It is available at office ofChapter 11••

Chapter 9*		 As a birth certificate (Shussei todoke kisai jikou shoumeisho, or “Certificate of Entry items in Birth Notification”) and

Chapter 8

beyond 60 days after he or she is born, it is necessary to apply for permission to acquire his/her

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

If you wish to work with a status of residence that does not permit you to work (statuspermitted under the status of residence previously granted, you need to apply for permission to
engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence previously granted
permitted under your status of residence.)

Necessary Documents
		

Chapter 4•

Passport		

Residence Card•		An Application form for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under

the status of residence previously granted		

Documents to certify the activity by which you intend to earn income or receive remuneration

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-8.html

Notification to Regional Immigration Services Bureau
If you have one of the statuses of residence below, and if something changes regarding theof that change.

Professor, Highly-Skilled Professional (i)(c), Highly-Skilled

requiring

Professional(ii) (limited to cases of engaging in the activities listed

notificationsin (ii) (c)), Business Manager, Legal/ Accounting Services, Medical
Services, Instructor, Intra-company Transferee, Technical Intern

Items to be notified

Change of the name of the accepting organization•

Change of the location of the accepting organization•

Extinguishment of the accepting organization•

Left from the accepting organization•

Transfer from the accepting organization

You are required to notify within 14 days.

See the following URL for details:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00014.html

6Chapter 12

Notification period•

Chapter 11

Training, Student or Trainee

Chapter 10

Status of Residence

Chapter 9(1) Notification of the accepting organization

Chapter 8organization you are affiliated with, you need to notify the Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Chapter 7

2-6

Chapter 6

See the following URL for details:

Chapter 5••

Chapter 3

at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau. (See Chapter 3-1 1-1 to confirm which activities are

Chapter 2of residence of “Student”, “Dependent” and so on), or to engage in activities other than those

Chapter 1

Permission to engage in activities other than thosepermitted under the status of residence previously granted

2-5

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residence(2) Notification of the organization of affiliation

requiringHighly Skilled Professional (ii) (limited to cases of engaging in the

notifications

activities listed in (ii)(a) or (b)), Researcher, Engineer/Specialist in
Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, Entertainer (limited
to cases of engaging in activities based on a contract with a public or

Chapter 2

Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a), Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b),

Chapter 1

Status of residence

private organization in Japan), Skilled Labour, Specified Skilled Worker
Change of the name of the organization of affiliation•

Change of the location of the organization of affiliation•

Extinguishment of the organization of affiliation•

Termination of the contract with the organization of affiliation•

Conclusion of a contract with a new organization of affiliation

See the following URL for details:(3) Notification of relationship with spouse
Dependent, Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent

requiring

Resident

Chapter 7

Status of residence

Chapter 6https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00015.html

Chapter 5

You are required to notify within 14 days.

Chapter 4

Notification Period•

Chapter 3

Items to be notified

notifications
Divorce your spouse•

Bereavement of your spouse

You are required to notify within 14 days.

See the following URL for details:

Electronic notification by internet is possible for these notifications.

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/i-ens_index.html

Chapter 11

See the following URL for details:

Chapter 10

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00016.html

Chapter 9

Notification Period•

Chapter 8

Items to be notified

Chapter 1271Procedures for Entry/ Residence

Foreign nationals who are expected to contribute to the economic growth of Japan due to being highly
skilled or talented are preferentially treated with regard to their activities and period of stay.
background,” “business career”, “age” and so on. Foreign nationals who apply for this system at Regional
Immigration Services Bureaus, and if they get 70 points or more in total, are admitted as “Highly-Skilled•		Permission for multiple activities•

		

Grant of the longest period of stay of 5 years•

		

Relaxation of requirements for grant of the permission for permanent residence concerning theChapter 4

period of stay in Japan and so on
See the following URL for details:

period, he/she can re-enter Japan with his/her currently authorized status of residence and periodof stay unchanged by using a re-entry permit.

Chapter 9(1) Special re-entry permission (returning to Japan within 1 year)

Chapter 8

If a foreign national in Japan wishes to temporarily leave and return to Japan within authorized

Chapter 7

currently admitted status of residence)

Chapter 6

Re-entry Permission (re-enter Japan with

Chapter 5

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/newimmiact_3_index.html

3

Chapter 3

Professional”. They are given following preferential treatment.

Chapter 2

This is a points-based system where foreign nationals are evaluated based on their “educational

Chapter 1

Points-based preferential immigration control and residency management
treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals

If the foreign nationals return to Japan within 1 year (or until the date of expiration of period
permission procedure at Regional Immigration Services Bureau will be exempted as long as they
have Residence Card and valid Passport.

nearby, they can re-enter into Japan with their currently admitted status of residence and periodof stay (up to a maximum of 5 years. Or up to the date of expiration when the date of expiration
comes earlier than 5 years).
See the following URL for details:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-5.html

8Chapter 12

If the foreign nationals apply for a re-entry permit at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Chapter 11(2) Re-entry permission (returning to Japan after more than 1 year)

Chapter 10of stay when the date of expiration comes earlier than 1 year from the date of departure), re-entry

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

Procedures for Recognition of Refugee
StatusRelating to the Status of Refugees, we recognize refugee status and take various protective
measures for refugees defined by the Convention, etc.

Definition of Refugeeof Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees applies. A refugee is defined asfollows:
		A person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion,

nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the countryof his/her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of•		Application for Recognition of Refugee Status
Application for recognition of refugee status is a system for those who have fled their homecountries (See: 4-1) and seek protection from Japan. A foreign national residing in Japan can
Certificate of Refugee Status, and is granted a residence status of “Long Term Resident” etc.
•		

A foreign national who has been recognized as a refugee, based on his/her application, will•		

A foreign national recognized as a refugee and his/ her family can benefit from the Settlement

Support System, which includes Japanese language education, guidance for living in Japan andRequest for Administrative Review
A foreign national who has an objection to a disposition denying recognition of refugee status

may submit a request to the Minister of Justice for an administrative review.
the opinions of the refugee examination counselors who have an academic background in law orinternational affairs.
See the following URL for details:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/guide/nanmin_tetuduki.html

9Chapter 12

When the Minister of Justice makes a determination on the request, the Minister must hear

Chapter 11

4-3

Chapter 10

job placement.

Chapter 9receive a refugee travel document in place of a passport.

Chapter 8

apply for this status. A foreign national, when he / she is recognized as a refugee, is issued a

Chapter 7

4-2

Chapter 6

the protection of that country.

Chapter 5•

Chapter 4

The term “Refugee” refers to those to whom Article 1 of the Convention Relating to the Status

Chapter 3

4-1

Chapter 2

As Japan is a member of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol

Chapter 1

41

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

5-1

Major Grounds for Deportation•

		Remaining in Japan after the period of stay (Please note that even a stay for just one day•

		 Engaging activity that is not permitted under your status of residence, and receiving
remuneration without permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted under

Chapter 3

beyond your authorized period constitutes overstaying and subjects you to deportation.)

Chapter 2

Deportation Order etc.

Chapter 1

5

the status of residence previously granted		

If You Are Deported
If you are deported, basically you will not be allowed to enter Japan for five or 10 years. If you

Chapter 55-2

Receiving a certain criminal punishment

Chapter 4•

are deported due to receiving a certain criminal punishment or some other particular grounds,

Departure Order System
If all of the following requirements are met, an overstayer will be allowed to leave Japanthrough simple procedures without being detained.
enter Japan for one year.

Those subject to the departure order system need to fulfill the following requirements.
•

		He/she must voluntarily appear at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau with intention to•		 He/she is not subject to deportation for any cause other than overstaying his or her
authorized period of stay.
		He/she has not been punished by imprisonment with or without workfor certain crimes such as theft.
		He/she has never been deported in the past.

•		He/she has never left Japan due to a departure order in the past.

•		It seems certain that he/she will leave Japan immediately.

5-4

Special Permission to Stay in Japan
Even when deportation procedures are taken, special permission to stay in Japan may be

granted by the Minister of Justice in consideration of the situation for which the foreign national
has settled down in Japan, his/her family situation, etc.

10Chapter 12•

Chapter 11•

Chapter 10

leave Japan.

Chapter 9

Requirements for the Departure Order System

Chapter 8

When you leave Japan due to the departure order system, you basically will not be allowed to

Chapter 7

5-3

Chapter 6

you will not be allowed to enter Japan anymore.

1

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

Contact for information about Proceduresfor Immigration and Residence

5-5-30 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo 1088255

Tokyo Regional Immigration
Services Bureau
Yotsuya Branch Government
Building

Yotsuya Tower 14F, 1-6-1, Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 1600004

3-5-25 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 8100073

TEL 092-717-5420

1-15-15 Higawa, Naha-shi, Okinawa 9000022
1766-1 Kuno-cho, Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki 3001288

TEL 098-832-4185
TEL 029-875-1291

644-3 Kogashima-machi, Omura-shi, Nagasaki 8560817

TEL 0957-52-2121

TEL 072-455-1453
TEL 078-391-6377
TEL 082-221-4411
TEL 087-822-5852

Foreign Residents Support
CenterYotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1, Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 1600004

TEL 0570-011000
IP/from overseas
03-5363-3013

Regional Immigration Services Bureaus in Sendai, Tokyo,
Yokohama(branch), Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe(branch), Hiroshima,and Fukuoka
Sapporo, Takamatsu, and Naha(branch)

TEL 0570-013904(IP, PHS, fromoverseas03-5796-7112)

Information Center
Foreign Resident General
Information Center
Counselors are in:

11

Chapter 12

Foreign Residents Support Center

Chapter 11

TEL 0569-38-7410
TEL 06-4703-2100

Chapter 10

1-1 CIQ bldg. CENTRAIR Tokoname-shi, Aichi 4790881
1-29-53 Minami-kohoku, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
559-0034
Senshukukonaka 1, Tajiri-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 5490011
29 Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 6500024
2-31 Kamihatchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima
730-0012
1-1 Marunouchi, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa 7600033

TEL 0476-34-2222
Management andInspection
Division
0476-34-2211
2-6-4 CIQ bldg. Haneda Airport Ota-ku Tokyo 1440041
TEL 03-5708-3202
10-7 Torihama-cho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 236- TEL0570-045259
0002
IP/from overseas
045-769-1729
5-18 Shoho-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 2360002
TEL 052-559-2150

Chapter 9

TEL 03-5363-3039

Chapter 8

Information
Processing
Department
1-1 Narita International Airport Second Terminal bldg.6th
floor Aza-Furugome, Furugome Narita-shi Chiba 282-0004

Chapter 7

Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services Bureau
Chubu Airport Branch
Osaka Regional Immigration
Services Bureau
Kansai Airport Branch
Kobe Branch
Hiroshima Regional
Immigration Services Bureau
Takamatsu Reginal Office of
Immigration and ResidenceControlFukuoka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau
Naha Branch
Higashi Nihon Immigration
CenterOmura Immigration Center

TEL 03-5363-3030

Chapter 6

Haneda Airport Branch
Yokohama Branch

Notification of change in activity, contract, or
marital status;
notification from the organization ofaffiliation:
Online residence application procedures:Management of inspection records:

Chapter 5

Narita Airport Branch

Registration
Department

TEL 022-256-6076
IP/ from overseas
03-5796-7234
TEL 0570-034259
IP/from overseas
03-5796-7234
TEL 0570-011000(select number 8)
IP/from overseas
03-5363-3013
TEL 03-5363-3032

Chapter 4

Tokyo Regional Immigration
Services Bureau

TEL 011-261-7502

Chapter 3

Sapporo Regional
12-chome Odori-nishi Chuo-ku Sapporo shi 060-0042
Immigration Services Bureau
Sendai Regional Immigration 1-3-21 Gorin Miyagino-ku Sendai-shi 983-0842
Services Bureau

Chapter 2

Regional offices of Immigration and Residence Control

Chapter 1

61

Procedures for Entry/ Residence

7-1

Immigration Services Agency Website

immigration and residence, etc. The information is given in 14 languages in addition to Japanese.

Chapter 4

Immigration Services Agency website:

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/index.html

Immigration Services Agency SNS, etc.

new systems and transmit information that would be useful for everyday life of foreign residents.

Chapter 6

The Immigrations Services Agency opened various types of SNS, etc. to provide guidance on

Chapter 5

7-2

Chapter 3

The Immigration Services Agency website provides guidance on the procedures for

Chapter 2

Information Transmission from
Immigration Services Agency

Chapter 1

7

Twitter account of Immigration Services Agency:
Chapter 7

https://twitter.com/MOJ_IMMI

https://www.facebook.com/ImmigrationServicesAgency.MOJ/

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/pr/mail-service.html

through their Twitter accounts.

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/pr/index.html

Chapter 11

List of Twitter accounts of Regional Immigration Services Bureau:

Chapter 10

Regional Immigration Services Bureau also provide information on their congestion status

Chapter 9

Email distribution service:

Chapter 8

Facebook account of Immigration Services Agency:

Chapter 1212