To all foreign nationals residing in Japan and to all foreign nationals visiting Japan

Starting April 1, 2016, changes will be made to the format of theDisembarkation Card for Foreign Nationals andEmbarkation and Disembarkation Card for Re-entrants!
Moreover, the Embarkation Card for Foreign Nationals will no longer be used!
Outline of the Amendment
The new format will no longer have some of the boxes such as "nationality/region", "sex" and "passport number", and in order to preventthe omission of necessary information, the sections for "answers to required questions" and "signature", which used to be on the back,will now be on the front of the Disembarkation Card for Foreign Nationals.
Moreover, you will no longer be required to select either "Re-entry Permission" or "Special Re-entry Permission" in the Embarkation Cardfor Re-entrants, but instead will have to fill in whether or not you intend to re-enter Japan.

For further details, please refer to the Immigration Bureau website ➡ http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/

New format of the Disembarkation Card for Foreign Nationals

The section for "answers
to required questions",
which used to be on theback, will be moved tothe front. Please check□ one of the boxes foreach question without
fail.
The "signature" box whichused to be on the back will
be moved to the front.

New format of the Embarkation and Disembarkation Card for Re-entrants
Please check□ one of theintended
periods out ofJapan withoutfail.

Please check □ either one of the boxes below without fail●You wish to re-enter Japan.
●You have been granted "re-entry permission” , which still has some timeremaining on it, and do not plan to re-enter Japan within the valid period.

Immigration Bureau, Ministry of JusticePoints of the Amendment
The main changes from the old format are as follows:

Disembarkation Card for
Foreign Nationals
Deletion of "nationality/region" and "sex"
The year of the "date of birth" to be given as four digits instead oftwo digits● Deletion of the question "How much money in cash do you
presently have in your possession?
● Deletion of “occupation” and “passport number”, and “transit” as thepurpose of visit● Deletion of the date box for the section on “intended length of stayin Japan”● Required questions and signature sections, which were previouslyon the back of the card, to be moved to the front●●Disembarkation Card for Re-entrants
Deletion of "nationality/region" and "sex"
The year of the "date of birth" to be given as four digits instead of two digits● Deletion of the question "How much money in cash do you presently
have in your possession?"●●Embarkation Card for Re-entrants
Deletion of "nationality/region" and "sex"
The year of the "date of birth" to be given as four digits instead of two digits● Additional required information of “intended period out of Japan”● Changes in the section on intention to re-enter Japan (please refer toQ3 given below for further details)●●

Q&A on Format Changes
Q1: Does this mean I’ll no longer be able to use the old format?
➡A: You will be able to continue using both the Disembarkation Card for Foreign Nationals and Embarkation andDisembarkation Card for Re-entrants for the time being.
Q2: If I use the old Embarkation Card for Re-entrants, which box should I check □ to indicate I intend to re-enter Japan?
➡A: If you are using the old format, please check □ as given below.

Old Embarkation Card for Re-entrants【3 types】

Please check here □.

On the backQ3: If I plan to re-enter Japan, will I have to select whether I am departing with re-entry permission
or special re-entry permission at the time of my departure as before?
➡A: You will not be required to make this selection since the immigration inspector will carry out the procedures
making a decision based on the intended period out of Japan which you will have given in your ED card.
Q4: Why is it that foreign nationals who possess "re-entry permission", which still has time remaining on it,
have to hand in an Embarkation Card for Re-entrants even if they do not plan to re-enter Japan?
➡A: Mid to long-term residents are subject to the Residential Basic Book system, which is why we need toconfirm whether or not the foreign national intends to re-enter Japan.
Q5: Will I be able to use the new card before April 1?
➡A: Please note you will not be able to use the new card before April 1.
【Contact Information】
For further information, please contact:The Immigration Information Center(Weekdays:8:30-17:15)
0570-013904 (when calling using an IP phone, PHS or calling from abroad please call 03-5796-7112)
or your nearest regional immigration bureau.