Procedures for ALIEN REGISTRATION

All foreigners residing in Japan (except temporary visitors, diplomats and their families, and persons under the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement) are obliged to register as aliens within 90 days of their entry into Japan.

First-time registration:
A foreigner registering for the first time should visit the local ward or municipal office in the district in which he or she is now living with his / her passport along with two recent photographs of 45 mm x 35 mm. Application form can be obtained at the ward or municipal office. When a foreigner applies for alien registration, he or she is designated a scheduled date by which the alien registration card will be issued and the card should be picked up by this date. In case of foreigners aged 15 years or less, the card is issued immediately after application.
The alien registration card gives the foreigner's name, date of birth, sex, nationality, address, status of residence, place of work and other details.
Foreigners aged 16 years or over are obliged to carry this card at all times.

Changes or corrections to the certificate:
When a change occurs in the information in the alien registration card, the foreigner should take the card and documental evidence of the change to the local ward or municipal office in the district in which he or she is now living and apply to have the information changed within two weeks from the date of such changes. In case of change of address the foreigner should apply at the local ward or municipal office in the new district to have the change recorded.

Applying for a new certificate:
If the card is badly damaged, if there is no space left for changes or corrections to be made, the foreigner should apply for a new card. Application for a new card should be made at the local ward or municipal office by submitting a completed application form, the old card, passport and two recent photographs of 45 mm x 35 mm.

Reissuing a certificate:
If the card is stolen or lost, the foreigner should notify to the nearest police station and within 14 days apply at the local ward or municipal office for the card to be reissued. The procedure for reissuing a card is the same as that for issuing a new card.

Renewing a certificate:
Foreigners who have completed alien registration are obliged to renew their alien registration card after a certain period of time. By which date it should be renewed is written on the card. The procedure for renewing a card is the same as that for issuing a new card.

Proxy:
In principal a foreigner applying for alien registration should do in person. When for illness or some other reason this is not possible, a member of the family living at the same address can make the application on behalf of the applicant.

Returning a certificate:
When a foreigner leaves Japan, unless a re-entry permit or a refugee travel document has been obtained, he or she is required to return the card at the port of departure. If a foreigner obtains Japanese nationality or in the event of death, the card must be returned to the local ward or municipal office within 14 days.

Certificate of completion of alien registration:
The certificate of completion of alien registration provides proof of a foreigner's registered details, such as address, status of residence, place of work and other details. The foreigner in person or a proxy, submitting an alien registration certificate or other proof of identity should make applications for the certificate. If the proxy is not a member of family living at the same address, a letter of proxy is also necessary. This certificate can be obtained immediately after applying for the card first time (if necessary).