Guide

Residence Card in Japan: Everything Foreigners Need to Know

Last updated: March 2026 · Based on Immigration Services Agency (ISA) official sources

Your Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyū Card) is the single most important document you have as a foreign resident in Japan. It's your primary ID, proof of legal residence, and required for virtually everything — from opening a bank account to signing an apartment lease.

This guide covers everything you need to know about your Residence Card: what information is on it, when you need to update it, what to do if you lose it, and the upcoming integrated card system.

You must carry it at all times

Under the Immigration Control Act, all foreign residents aged 16 and over must carry their Residence Card at all times. Police can ask to see it. Failure to carry it can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000. A My Number Card or driver's license is not a substitute.

What's on Your Residence Card

Front Side

  • Full name — in the same format as your passport
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Nationality / Region
  • Address — printed on the back after ward office registration
  • Status of Residence (visa type) — e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities
  • Period of Stay — your visa expiration date
  • Work permission — whether you're permitted to work
  • Card expiration date
  • Photo (for those 16 and over)
  • Residence Card number

Back Side

  • Registered address — updated at ward office when you move
  • Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted — work permission stamp for students, etc.
  • IC chip — contains the above information digitally

When You Receive Your Card

You receive your Residence Card at one of two points:

When You Need to Update Your Card

You moved to a new address

Visit your new ward office within 14 days. They update the address on the back of your card. No visit to Immigration needed.

Ward Office

Your visa was renewed or changed

When your visa is renewed, you receive a new Residence Card at the Immigration Bureau. Your old card is returned to you (hole-punched).

Immigration

Your name changed (e.g., marriage)

Notify Immigration within 14 days. Bring your new passport and proof of name change. A new card is issued.

Immigration

Your nationality changed

Notify Immigration within 14 days.

Immigration

Your card is expiring (7-year validity)

The card itself expires independently of your visa (max 7 years). Apply for renewal at Immigration 2 months before expiry.

Immigration

You changed employer (work visa holders)

File a Notification of Change of Organization (所属機関変更届出) with Immigration within 14 days of starting at your new company. This can be done online or by mail. The card itself doesn't change, but the record is updated.

Immigration

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Card

You must apply for reissuance within 14 days

If your Residence Card is lost, stolen, significantly damaged, or becomes unreadable, you must apply for a replacement at the Immigration Bureau within 14 days of discovering the issue.

Steps to Replace Your Card

1

File a police report (for loss or theft)

Go to your nearest police box (交番) or police station. Get a certificate of loss/theft report (遺失届出証明書 or 盗難届出証明書). You'll need this for Immigration.

2

Visit the Immigration Bureau

Bring your passport, police report certificate, a photo (4cm × 3cm), and the application form (在留カード再交付申請書).

3

Pay the fee and receive your new card

The reissuance fee is free for loss/theft but may require a revenue stamp for other cases. Processing is usually same-day or within a few days.

Lost your card abroad?

If you lose your Residence Card while traveling outside Japan, contact the nearest Japanese embassy/consulate. You'll need to apply for a Letter of Confirmation of Permission to Land to re-enter Japan, then apply for card reissuance at Immigration within 14 days of arrival.

Traveling Abroad: Re-entry Permits

When you leave Japan temporarily and plan to return, you need re-entry permission to keep your visa status. There are two types:

Deemed Re-entry

みなし再入国許可

  • Duration: Trips under 1 year
  • Cost: Free
  • How: Automatic — just check the box on the departure card at the airport
  • Requirement: Valid Residence Card and valid visa
  • Note: Cannot be extended from abroad

Regular Re-entry Permit

再入国許可

  • Duration: Up to 5 years (or until visa expiry)
  • Cost: ¥3,000 (single) or ¥6,000 (multiple)
  • How: Apply at Immigration before departure
  • When needed: Trips over 1 year, or if you want the flexibility
  • Note: Permanent residents should always get this

If you leave without re-entry permission, you lose your visa

If you depart Japan without either a deemed re-entry or a regular re-entry permit, your status of residence is revoked. You would need to apply for a new visa from scratch to return. This applies even to permanent residents.

New Integrated Card (2026)

Starting June 2026, Japan is introducing the Tokutei Zairyū Card (特定在留カード) — a new card that combines:

This means one card instead of two. The integrated card will serve as your ID, work permission proof, health insurance card, and enable online government services.

Adoption is optional initially

The new integrated card will be optional when it launches. Your existing Residence Card and My Number Card will continue to work. However, the integrated card is expected to become the standard over time. You can apply for it at Immigration when renewing your visa.

Common Situations

I got a new passport. Do I need to update my Residence Card?
Yes. If your passport number changes (e.g., you renewed your passport), notify Immigration within 14 days. Bring your new passport and Residence Card. This is a simple update — usually processed the same day.
My card photo doesn't look like me anymore. Can I update it?
The photo on your Residence Card is updated when you renew your visa or request a card reissuance. There is no standalone photo update process. If your appearance has changed significantly (e.g., after major surgery), you can request a reissuance at Immigration.
Can I use a copy/photo of my Residence Card instead of the original?
No. The law requires you to carry the original physical card. A photocopy or photo on your phone does not satisfy the legal requirement. However, it's wise to keep a photo/copy at home as a backup in case of loss — it will help with the reissuance process.
I'm leaving Japan permanently. What do I do with my card?
When you leave Japan permanently, return your Residence Card to the immigration officer at the airport departure gate. They will hole-punch it and return it to you as a souvenir if you wish. Before leaving, file a moving-out notification (転出届) at your ward office, settle your tax obligations, and claim your pension lump-sum withdrawal if eligible.
Can my employer keep my Residence Card?
No. It is illegal for anyone — including your employer — to confiscate or hold your Residence Card. Your card must remain in your possession at all times. If an employer demands to keep your card, this is a serious red flag and potentially a violation of labor laws. Contact the Labor Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署) or the Immigration Helpline (0570-013-904).

Useful Resources

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Residence Cards in Japan. Immigration rules are subject to change. For specific situations, consult the Immigration Services Agency or an immigration lawyer (行政書士). This is not legal advice.

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