All non-Japanese staying in Japan must register within 90 days of arrival in Japan without fail. Alien registration verifies your identity and residence, and is needed for the administration of public programs such as for education, welfare, medical fees, as well as immigration control.
(1) Initial Registration
As a rule, you must register in person at the municipal office of the city, ward or town where you reside. For this registration, you need to fill in an “Application Form for Alien Registration” available at the municipal office counter. You also need to show your passport and submit two photographs(4.5 cm×3.5 cm in size, taken within 6 months) along with the application.
The Alien Registration Card will take about two weeks to process.
(2) Application for Changes
After you receive the Alien Registration Card, if there are any changes in the registered items as follows(e.g., because you move house, your visa is extended, etc.), you should go in person and notify the city/ward office and make an application to update the change within 14 days. For changes other than your address, you will need to bring a document identifying the change(such as your passport).
- Address in Japan
- Name
- Occupation
- Status of Residence
- Authorized period of stay
(3) Renewal of Alien Registration Card
The Alien Registration Card is valid for 5 years. If you are going to stay in Japan for more than five years, you must renew the card within 30 days of the renewal date indicated on your Alien Registration Card. Please go to the city/ward office where you live and bring your passport and two copies of your identical photographs (4.5 cm×3.5 cm in size, taken within 6 months).
(4) Carrying/ Returning Your Alien Registration Card
When you register yourself at local government office as a foreign resident, you will be given a date when your Alien Registration Card will be issued. Please pick up the card within the specified period.
Foreigners who have been issued a Alien Registration Card are required to carry this card at all times to present it to immigration officers, immigration security officers, police and other officials when requested.
Furthermore, this card should be returned to the immigration inspector at your port of departure when you leave Japan without a re-entry permit.
