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 If you're not a Japanese citizen and you wish to stay in Japan for 90 days or more, you will need to obtain an alien registration card (gaikokujin touroku shomeisho). All foreigners living in Japan that are 16 years of age and older must carry their alien registration cards with them at all times. You may register for these cards at your local ward office or its branch office at the Residents' Affairs Division (shi-min-kai). Nagoya ward and branch offices are open Monday to Friday 8:45 - 17:15 and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays.
Applying for a New Alien Registration Card
Application for an Alien Registration Card must be made within 90 days of immigration or within 60 days of birth of a foreign baby born in Japan. Adults may apply on behalf of their children or other relatives living with them who are under the age of 16 years old.
Bring your passport, two passport photos (3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm long) taken within the last 6 months and complete the application for Alien Registration at your ward or branch office. Note that photos are not required for those under 16 years of age.
After processing your information, your Alien Registration Card will be issued in about two weeks. Cards will be issued on the spot for persons under 16 years of age.
Updating an Alien Registration Card
You must update the information on your Alien Registration card in a timely fashion when it is no longer accurate. To not do so can result in potential problems with immigration and the police and certainly frowns from the civil servants the next time you visit the ward office.
The following changes must be reported within 14 days of the event happening: change in address, name, nationality, occupation, visa category, period of stay in Japan or place of work.
Bring your card to your ward office to make any changes necessary.
Renewing an Alien Registration Card
Your Alien Registration Card will need to be renewed periodically during your stay in Japan provided you will stay longer than five years. The usual application deadline is within 30 days of your birthday on the fifth anniversary of your initial registration or most recent date of renewal.
As with your initial application, bring your passport, two identical photos (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) and fill out the application form at your ward or branch office. Renewal unnecessary for those under 16 years of age however once a foreign resident reaches 16 years of age, an application for renewal must be made no later than 30 days after the 16th birthday.
Replacing your Alien Registration Card
If you lose your Alien Registration Card or it is stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement card. You must apply to replace your card within 14 days of the loss or theft and you must submit relevant documentation to prove the loss or theft, such as a fire certificate or police report of the theft.
To replace the card, bring your passport, two identical photos (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) and fill out the application form for re-issuance of your Alien Registration Card at your ward or branch office.
Leaving Japan
If you are leaving Japan for good, then return your alien registration card to the immigration officer at your point of departure from Japan. If you plan to return to Japan because your departure is not permanent, ensure that you have obtained a re-entry permit that will allow you to re-enter Japan after your trip. Without a proper re-entry permit you will be denied entry upon your return.
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