Resident Card (Zairyu Card)
It is called "Nyukoku" when a foreigner enters Japan.
It is called "Zairyu" when a foreigner resides in Japan.
A “Zairyu Card” (Resident Card) is an identification card (ID) that is issued to foreigners who will stay in Japan for three months or more when they enter Japan.
Information such as name, date of birth, nationality and region are described on it.
A resident card is also a certificate that permits you to stay in Japan.
“Residency Status (purpose of staying in Japan)”, “work restrictions (whether you can work in Japan)”, “period of stay (how long you can stay in Japan)”, etc. are also described on it.
Those foreigners who are 16 of age or older must carry this card all the time.
How to obtain a resident card
Your resident card will be issued when entering Japan at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, New Chitose Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, Hiroshima Airport, or Fukuoka Airport.
You will receive your resident card later If you enter Japan from another airport or port.
Once you have decided where to live and have completed the resident registration procedures at the local municipal office, your residence card will be sent to you by postal mail.
If there are any changes in information on the resident card
You need to notify changes in information described on your resident card to the authority.
[If you change your name, nationality, or region]
Submit documents to the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) within 14 days from the date of change and receive a new resident card.
[If you change employer or school]
Notify the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) within 14 days from the date of change.
[If you divorce Japanese spouse or Japanese spouse dies]
Notify the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) within 14 days from the date of divorce or the death of spouse.
[If you change address]
Submit a “notification of moving” to the local municipal office within 14 days after moving.
At this time, the municipal office person will write your new address on your resident card (zairyu card).
There is no need to notify the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan).
[If you want to change your period of stay or residency status]
If you want to extend your “period of stay (how long you can stay in Japan)” or change your “residency status (purpose of coming to Japan)”, submit documents to the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) to obtain a new resident card.
[If you lose your resident card]
Go to the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) and obtain a new resident card within 14 days from the day you are aware that you lost it.
When you no longer need your resident card
You need to return your resident card within 14 days from the day it is no longer needed.
Return your resident card at the airport or port if you will not come back to Japan.
If a family member or someone you live with has passed away, bring the person's resident card to the Immigration Bureau (Nyukan) or send it by mail.
If you want to consult about the process for residency
You can consult about the process for residency in Japan at the following help desks:
Immigration Information Centers
Tel: 0570-013904
Time: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Language: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer (Cambodia), Myanmar Language, Mongolian, French, Sinhala, and Urdu
Email: Info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp (Japanese and English)
Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents
Tel: 03-3202-5535 / 03-5155-4039
Time: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm（excluding the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month）
Language: Japanese, Chinese, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Tagalog
（※Days and times vary depending on the language. ）
