Japanese Residence Cards and How to Update Them

Foreign nationals who have obtained a status of residence and live in Japan medium or long term are issued a residence card. The residence card is, essentially, a certificate that certifies that the person has a status of residence that entitles them to stay in Japan for a medium or long term.

Residence cards contain their owner’s name, date of birth, sex, nationality/region, address, status, period of stay, whether or not they are allowed to work, and other information. Foreign nationals must keep their residence cards updated with the most current information at all times. If there are any changes to the information indicated on a residence card due to the owner of the card moving, getting married, etc., the owner must submit a change notice. However, it is important to note that the process differs between making changes due to moving and making other changes.

If a foreign national moves to a new address within Japan, causing the address that must be indicated on the residence card to change, the following procedure is used to change the residence card information.

Applicants

1. The applicant (unless the applicant is under 16 years of age)
2. A representative

Submit Application to ...

The person in charge in the municipality where the applicant resides

Application timing

The applicant must apply to change the information on their residence card within 14 days of moving to their new address. The change of address can be done by entering the new address on the back of the residence card.

If there are changes to a foreign national’s information other than their address, such as if their name changes due to marriage, their nationality changes, or they move to another organization within Japan, the following procedure is used to change the residence card information.

Application Submitter

1. The applicant (the foreign national wishing to remain in Japan)
2. A representative - The legal representative of the applicant
3. A proxy

Submit Application to ...

The Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence

Application submission timing and standard processing time

The notice of changes to information on residence card other than address information must be submitted within 14 days of the changes to the information. As a general rule, changes are processed on the same day that the notice is submitted.

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Applying for a Re-entry Permit