Japan - Obtain a Residence Card

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Procedure

1. Gather all documents you will need to present or submit in order to obtain a residence card.
2. Complete an application form.
3. Submit form along with all other required documents.
4. You may obtain your residence card on the same day you have submitted your application.

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Required Documents

• Completed Application form
• A photograph (submit a photograph meeting specifications mentioned below along with an application form, after writing your name on the back of the photograph):
  • The photograph shall be one in which only the applicant appears.
  • The size of the photograph (excluding the margins) shall match the dimensions specified in this link. (The size of the face shall be from the top of the head(including hair) to the tip of the chin.)
  • The person in the photograph shall face the front, wearing no hat.
  • No object (including a shadow) shall exist in the background.
  • The photograph must be clear.
  • The photograph was taken no earlier than three months before submission.
• Applicants under the age of 16 need not submit a photograph.
• Applicants must present their alien registration certificate that can be regarded as a valid residence card. Note: The applicant must be carrying a copy of the alien registration certificate that can be regarded as a valid residence card in cases where another person other than the one whom the residence card is for is applying for the procedure.
• Present a permit to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence (only if you are given the permit).
• Your passport or certificate of status of residence.
• The statement of reasons, if you cannot present your passport or certificate of status of residence.
• Please submit some documents certifying your identity (for those submitting the application in behalf of the applicant).

Present the following documents when you are picking up your residence card (when the card was issued on a later date):

• Proof that your application was received by the immigration officer.
• Passport or certificate of status of residence
• Alien registration certificate
• Valid identification

Office Locations & Contacts

Foreign Residents Information Center: Information and advice service for foreign nationals. These centers are located at Regional Immigration bureaus and District Offices of Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

Information concerning procedures for entry and stay for foreign nationals is given over the phone or by direct visit in various languages including English, Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

Immigration Offices

Email address: [email protected]

Immigration Bureau Website

Eligibility

• A foreign national who has stayed in Japan for a mid- to long term as a result of having obtained permits relating to the status of residence, such as a new landing permit, a permit for a change of the status of residence, and a permit for the extension of the period of stay (a mid- to long term resident).
• A medium to long-term resident having an alien registration certificate that can be regarded as a valid residence card
• A medium to long-term resident who does not possess an alien registration certificate at the time of the enforcement of the Revised Act (Article 16, paragraph 1 of the Supplementary Provisions of the law for partial amendment to the Immigration Control and the Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan)

Fees

No fees are required.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Residence Card Application - PDF
Residence Card Application - Excel

Notes:

• You can print this form on a A4 sized paper (Japanese Industrial Standard)
• The form may be printed out in a scaled-down version, uncheck the box Scale down the page according to the size of paper (K)in the print dialogue box before printing out.

Sample Documents

Sample Residence Card

Processing Time

You may obtain your residence card on the same day you have submitted your application.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

Submit your application at a Regional Immigration Office (or the Immigration Information Center).

You may apply for a residence card from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on business days, (Some Regional Immigration Offices or Immigration Information Center may have a set a specific day and time when such applications are processed, so make sure to inquire first before going to an immigration office.)

Who may submit the application:

1. The applicant (except for those under the age of 16 years)
2. A representative:
   1. A relative aged 16 or above living together with the applicant in cases where the applicant is under the age of 16 years (Note 1) suffers from an illness or is unable to apply for the residence card owing to other grounds
   2. A relative aged 16 or above living together with the applicant, pursuant to a request of the applicant (Note 2)
3. An agent:
   1. Individuals who have obtained the approval for activities as an agent for application from the director of the regional immigration bureau (pursuant to a request from the applicant)
      1. A member of the staff of the institution that is operated by, or employs, the applicant
      2. A member of the staff of the institution in which the applicant is being trained or educated
      3. A member of the staff of the institution that supervises activities for assisting foreigners in acquiring skills, technique, or knowledge
      4. A member of the staff of the public interest corporation designed to provide for the smooth acceptance of foreign nationals
   2. An attorney or administrative scrivener who has given notification to the director of the regional immigration bureau (pursuant to a request from the applicant)
   3. The legal representative of the applicant (except for the relatives living together as mentioned in paragraph 2 (1) above)
   4. A relative of the applicant, a person living together with the applicant or an equivalent person, whom the director of the regional bureau deems to be appropriate (in cases where the applicant is under the age of 16 years, suffers from an illness, or owing to other grounds (Note 1))

Notes:

1. In the event of illness, please bring the medical certificate, etc. as additional requirement.
2. In the event of proxy by request, please bring a letter of proxy as additional requirement.

Required Information

• Name
• Birth date
• Gender
• Nationality/region of origin
• Address

Need for the Document

A residence card is a certificate with which the Minister of Justice proves that the individual indicated in the certificate is a foreign national legally staying in Japan with the status of a resident, allowing him/her to stay in Japan for a mid- to long term, up to the permitted period of stay.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a residence card in Japan.

Information which might help

A residence card contains the important part of the personal information held by the Minister of Justice, such as the holder's name, birth date, gender, nationality/region of origin, address, status of residence, period of stay, and whether or not he/she can work.

If there is any change in relation to those mentioned information, the relevant person is obliged to notify authorities of those changes. Therefore, the latest information shall always be reflected in a residence card. A residence card for a person aged 16 or over also contains a photograph of his/her face.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Japan Immigration Bureau:

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/11.html

• New Residency Management System:

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/en/index.html

Others

More information which might help people.