The Residence Card is an identification card issued to mid-to-long term residents, containing basic personal information. It serves as immediate proof that the holder has the legal right to reside in Japan. To reside in Japan, possessing a Residence Card is mandatory, and foreign residents are obligated to carry a valid Residence Card as identification at all times. Conversely, failure to present it leads to suspicion of illegal stay due to lack of proof of legal status. Therefore, care must be taken regarding carrying the card, updating any changes in recorded information, loss, and the validity period.
Penalties
Failure to properly manage the Residence Card can result in actual legal penalties. Please pay special attention to the following three points. Failure to Carry the Card
Not carrying your Residence Card may result in a fine. A fine will negatively affect the “good conduct” requirement for future Permanent Residence applications. Therefore, you must carry it even for short outings like a walk. Failure to Report Address within 14 Days
When you determine a place of residence, change your address, or newly become a mid-to-long term resident, you must report the address within 14 days. Failure to do so may result in a fine, which will negatively affect future Permanent Residence applications. Failure to Report Address within 90 Days
Failure to report your address within 90 days without a justifiable reason will result in the revocation of your status of residence. Revocation of residence status is grounds for deportation, meaning you will no longer be able to stay and must leave Japan.
Place of Issuance
The Residence Card is issued under the name of the Minister of Justice at the airport/port upon granting landing permission, so no separate application is required.
If Not Issued at the Airport/Port
If the card cannot be issued at the airport/port at that time, a statement “Residence Card will be issued later” will be stamped in your passport, and the card will be issued later.
Eligible Persons
The Residence Card is issued to mid-to-long term residents, but not to short-term visitors.
Persons Not Eligible for Issuance
- Persons granted a period of stay of 3 months or less
- Persons granted “Temporary Visitor” status
- Persons granted “Diplomat” or “Official” status, or those treated as equivalent by Ministry of Justice Ordinance
Recorded Information
The Residence Card contains an IC chip and displays basic information necessary for identification in Japan (photo included, except for those under 16).
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Sex
- Nationality/Region
- Place of Residence
- Status of Residence
- Period of Stay
- Date of Permission
- Residence Card Number
- Date of Issue
- Period of Validity
- Work Restrictions
- Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted
No Address on Arrival
Since the place of residence is not recorded upon landing (reason explained below in “Notification of Residence”), you must report your address at the municipal office later.
Period of Validity
The Residence Card has an expiration date. Basically, the period of stay granted by the visa and the card’s validity period are the same. It can be used validly until that expiration date.
Exceptions
Attention is required for those under 16 years old and Permanent Residents.
- Under 16 (excluding Permanent Residents)… The earlier of the expiration date of the period of stay or the day before the 16th birthday.
- Permanent Residents (excluding those under 16)… 7 years from the date of issuance.
- Permanent Residents under 16… Until the day before the 16th birthday.
Renewal of Validity Period
Basically, renewal is not necessary as it matches the visa period. In that case, the card is returned upon leaving Japan after finishing the stay, or a new card is issued when renewing the status of residence.
When Renewal is Required
Permanent Residents, Highly Skilled Professionals (ii), and those turning 16 need to be careful as renewal may be required. The fundamental idea is to avoid a situation where you are legally residing in Japan but holding an expired card because the card’s expiration came before the visa expiration.
Timing and Location
You can apply for renewal at the Regional Immigration Bureau starting 2 months before the expiration date. Be careful not to let it expire. For those whose card expires on the day before their 16th birthday, applications can be made 6 months before the birthday.
Notification of Residence (After Landing, Change of Status, Moving)
Mid-to-long term residents must report their address to the municipal office within 14 days of determining it. Notification is required in the following cases:
- After new landing
- Upon Change of Status (becoming a mid-to-long term resident)
- After moving
The Japanese government wants to grasp the residence of foreign residents. While short-term visitors travel around, mid-to-long term residents are required to have their residence grasped.
Reason for Not Reporting at Airport
Mid-to-long term residents cannot report their address at the airport/port upon landing. Under Japanese law, address registration is managed by municipalities and requires actual residence. Therefore, since a newly landed foreigner does not have an actual residence yet, they must apply at the city hall after actually starting to live in a house in Japan.
Duty to Report to the Minister of Justice
Foreigners have a duty to report their address to the Minister of Justice under the Immigration Control Act. However, by submitting the Residence Card to the city hall when filing a moving-in notification, the notification to the Minister of Justice is also fulfilled. So, submit your Residence Card when filing a moving-in notification.
“When you start residing, take your Residence Card to the city hall and file a moving-in notification.”
Other Notifications
Mid-to-long term residents must report changes in name, date of birth, sex, or nationality/region to the Minister of Justice (actually to the Regional Immigration Bureau) within 14 days of the change. In this case, a new Residence Card will be issued.
Re-issuance due to Loss, etc.
If a Residence Card is lost due to loss, theft, or destruction, the foreigner is obligated to apply for re-issuance at the Regional Immigration Bureau within 14 days of discovering the loss. This obligation exists because the Japanese government wants foreigners to always carry identification, so a state without a Residence Card must be avoided.
Re-issuance due to Damage, etc.
If the Residence Card is significantly soiled, chipped, or damaged, you can apply for re-issuance at the Regional Immigration Bureau. Also, replacement may be mandatory for such inappropriate cards. If ordered, you must replace it within 14 days. A card that cannot be read even partially has lost some of its function and does not substantially fulfill the purpose of carrying it as ID. These regulations exist to avoid that state.
Duty to Present
You must present your Residence Card when requested by a police officer, immigration inspector, immigration control officer, or coast guard officer. For such cases, you are obligated to carry your Residence Card at all times.