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Guide for Living in Japan > Registrations / Permissions / Extensions / Reporting
Alien registration and related procedures

Alien registration
Foreign persons that must complete alien registration procedures:
1) Persons residing in Japan for 90 days or more Registration must be carried out within 90 days of entry into Japan.
2) Persons born in Japan Registration must be carried out within 60 days.

*Please carry out all the procedures related to obtaining your alien registration card yourself.
In the case of children 16 years of age or younger, please be sure that they are accompanied by their mother or some other adult person that is residing with them.
  • Registering for the first time:

    • Items that are necessary to register for the first time
      1) Passport
      2) Two copies of a suitable picture (For persons 16 years of age or under, pictures are not required).

    • Items necessary to report a birth
      A copy of the registration of birth issued in Japan.

  • Procedures for renewal/extension
    For persons more than 16 years of age, please apply for renewal of your alien registration within the period of validation indicated on you alien registration card. For persons 16 years of age or less, it is necessary to complete the alien registration card renewal procedures within 30 days of the child's birthday.

    • Items necessary to complete procedures to renew your alien registration
      1) Two copies of a suitable picture (For persons 16 years of age or under, no pictures are required.)
      2) Alien registration card
      3) Passport (For persons who have a passport)

  • Application procedures for changing information contained on your alien registration card
    When any of the items of information contained on your alien registration card change (address, name, nationality, status of residence, period of stay, occupation, place of employment), it is necessary to complete the procedures to make the necessary changes on your alien registration card within 14 days of such changes.

    • Items necessary to carry out the necessary procedures for reporting changes in items on your alien registration card
      1) Alien registration card
      2) Written proof/record of change in the item
      3) Two pictures (Only necessary for those who have changed their name or have changed their citizenship)

      For persons applying for permission for permanent residence, or for persons applying for special permanent residence, the necessary procedures for application must be carried within 14 days.

    • Items necessary to carry out the necessary procedures for application for permanent residence:
      1) Passport
      2) Proof of permission for permanent or permanent residence.
      3) Two copies of a suitable picture. (For persons 16 years of age or under, no pictures are required.)
      4) Alien registration card
The "alien registration card"
Citizens of foreign countries residing in Japan are required to register with the government office of the area where they reside (city, town, ward). In addition, if any matters that are part of the alien registration content change, such changes must be reported immediately to the proper authorities. (Persons with dual nationality, i.e., Japanese nationality and the nationality of another country, are not required to carry out legal registration procedures to complete alien registration) The galien registration cardh is used to establish the identity of foreign residents in Japan. Foreign residents 16 years of age or older are required to carry their alien registration cards with them at all times.

Points to note concerning the picture:
  • The picture should have been taken within the previous six months.
  • The picture must not contain anything in the background (i.e., must be taken against a neutral background).
  • The subject of the picture must not wear a hat.
  • The picture should of the type normally used for passports.
Size of the picture required for alien registration

  • Re-issuance of alien registration card
    If your alien registration card is lost or stolen, prepare the following items that are necessary to carry out procedures to have it re-issued and apply as rapidly as possible.
    • Items necessary to apply for re-issuance:
      1) Two copies of a suitable picture (For persons 16 years of age or under, no pictures are required).
      2) Copy of report to police station or local police box.
      3) Passport (For persons having passports).

  • Obtaining a new alien registration card in exchange for the one you presently have
    In the event that your alien registration card becomes damaged or soiled, prepare the following items and carry out the procedures as rapidly as possible for exchanging your damaged alien registration for a new one.
    • Items required for exchange:
      1) Two copies of a suitable picture (For persons 16 years of age or under, no pictures are required).
      2) Alien registration card
      3) Passport (For persons having passports).

  • Turning in your alien registration card
    When you leave the country without carrying out the procedures necessary for re-entry, please turn in your alien registration card to the immigration officials at the airport or port from which you depart. In the case of persons who take Japanese citizenship or receive citizenship from another country, the person involved is required to turn in his alien registration. In a case where a death has occurred, either a member the family living with the deceased or the party submitting the notice of death is required to turn in the deceased person's alien registration to the government office with jurisdiction in the area of residence (city, town, ward).

  • Re-entry permission
    If you have received formal permission to re-enter Japan, it is possible to leave your alien registration card in Japan when you leave the country.
    • Items necessary to carry out procedures to obtain permission for re-entry into Japan
      1) One application form for permission for re-entry.
      2) Alien registration card.
      3) Passport.

    The proper place to make applications of the type described above:
    (1) Application for alien registration (card).
    The local government office of the area where you live (ward, city, town)
    (2) Re-entry permits/applications for extending/renewing the period of stay (visa).
    Such applications should be made at the Regional Immigration Office of the area where you reside. Consult the Yellow Pages of this publication for the address and telephone number of the Office in your area. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 - 5:00 (Applications accepted until 4:00)
    (3) When your alien registration has been lost or stolen:
    Please report this matter as rapidly as possible to the nearest police box or police station.
    (4) When you wish to obtain Japanese citizenship:
    Please complete the necessary procedures for application at the nearest Regional Legal Affairs Bureau (Family Register Section).

    Please note the following carefully:
    Persons wishing to apply for alien registration must apply themselves in person.
    Husbands may not apply in behalf of wives and vice versa. However, in the case of sickness or other physical problem, there are cases where another person living with the applicant may be permitted to apply in behalf of that person.

    In the case of applications being made for persons 16 years of age or under, the following persons may apply in behalf of such children, in the following order of suitability:
    1) Father or mother living with the child.
    2) Other relative.
    3) Other person living with the child.
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