Immigration Office issues Residence Card (Zairyu-kaado) to each foreign nationals who obtain mid- to long-term visa status and reside legally in Japan under Immigration Control Act.
After you obtain the Residence Card, you proceed to the registration of your residence address at City Hall or Ward Office. You can register your seal called "Inkan" or "Jitsu In" (Japanese people use "inkan" instead of signing) as well. Then, you finally become a resident in Japan. You can receive Certificate of Residence (Jumin-hyou no Utsushi) and Certificate of Seal/Inkan (Inkan Shomei-sho) as the same as Japanese people do. These certificates are often required for the administrative procedures and other services such as opening bank account.
Residence Card can be used as your ID in Japan. You need to keep your card at any time even when you go outside Japan – you will have to present the card at the airport when you re-enter Japan.
Even though you are obtaining Permanent Resident visa status, you need to renew the card every 7 years.
Residence Card is issued to mid to long-term residents who are NOT come under any of 1 – 6 below:
Information written on the Residence Card is the following:
Residence Card is valid for certain periods as the following:
| Age | Non-Permanent Resident | Permanent Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 16 or older | Date of Expiration of visa status | 7 years from Date of Issue of the card |
| Under 16 | Earlier of Date of Expiration of visa status or 16th Birthday | Until 16th Birthday |
You need to notify to the authorities properly in the event of any change regarding information written on the card.
You need to process "Tenni Todoke (Report for moving in and out within the same city/ward)" or "Tenshutsu/Tennyu Todoke (Report for moving in from or moving out to the different district)" to register your residence address within 14 days after moving in/out.
You cannot process it at the Immigration Office.
Notification form is different depending on your city. Please ask the city/ward office you reside for the details.
In case of changes of name, sex and nationality/region, you need to notify it to the Immigration Office or the branch where you reside. Generally, new card will be issued on the same day after the notification at Immigration Office.
[Necessary Documents]
For further details, please check the website of the Immigration Office below:
>> Notification of Change of Items on the Residence Card (other than the address).
If you lost or were robbed your Residence Card, you have to notify it at the Police Station as soon as possible. Police will issue the Certificate of Lost/Robbery Report, then you have to go to the Immigration Office with the certificate and apply for Re-Issuance of Residence Card. Generally, new card will be issued on the same day after the notification at the Immigration Office.
[Necessary Documents]
For further details, please check the website of the Immigration Office below:
>> Application for reissuance of the residence card due to loss.
Tani-yon Square Bldg. 6F,
1-2-15 Uchihommachi,
Chuo-ku, Osaka 5400026
Inquiry must be sent via webform.
business Hours：9:00-17:00
Holidays: Sat, Sun, National Holidays
