The Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) is the most important document you’ll carry as a foreign resident in Japan. Without it, you can’t open a bank account, sign a lease, or get a SIM card.
What Is the Residence Card?
The Residence Card is a credit-card-sized ID issued by the Japanese government to all mid-to-long-term foreign residents. It proves your legal right to live in Japan and contains:
- Your photo
- Name, date of birth, nationality
- Address
- Visa status (在留資格) and period of stay
- Residence card number
- Work permission (if applicable)
Who Gets One?
You receive a Residence Card if you are:
- Staying in Japan for more than 3 months on a qualifying visa
- Holding a status other than Tourist/Short-term visitor
Types of visa that receive one: Work visa, Spouse visa, Student visa, Dependent visa, Permanent Resident, and others.
Tourist visas do NOT get a Residence Card.
How to Get Your Residence Card
If Arriving Through a Major Airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Hiroshima, Naha)
You receive the Residence Card at the airport immigration counter when you first enter Japan. Carry your visa approval letter with you.
If Arriving Through Other Ports of Entry
You receive a stamp in your passport. You then register at your local municipal office within 14 days to get the Residence Card issued by mail.
Registering Your Address
After receiving your Residence Card, you must register your address at your local city/ward/town office (市区町村役所) within 14 days of moving in.
This is a legal requirement. Failure to register or update your address is a violation of the Immigration Control Act.
What you’ll need:
- Residence Card
- Passport
- Your new address details (landlord can usually provide)
Your Residence Card will be updated with your address on the back.
Changing Your Address
Every time you move, you must:
- Report your departure from your old address at the old municipality
- Register your new address at the new municipality
Both steps must be done within 14 days of each move.
If you’re moving within the same municipality: update at the local office.
Renewing Your Residence Card
Your card expires when your visa period ends. Renew your visa before expiry — your Residence Card is renewed at the same time at an immigration bureau.
Carry-always rule: You are legally required to carry your Residence Card at all times when outside your home. Japanese police can and do request to see it.
If You Lose Your Residence Card
Report to the nearest immigration bureau (入国管理局) or regional immigration services bureau within 14 days. Bring your passport.
A replacement fee of ¥1,600 applies.
What the Residence Card Is Used For
| Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|
| Opening a Japanese bank account | Yes |
| Renting an apartment | Yes |
| Getting a SIM card / phone plan | Yes |
| Getting a driver’s license | Yes |
| Enrolling children in school | Yes |
| Applying for National Health Insurance | Yes |
| Getting My Number Card | Yes |
Work Permission on the Residence Card
If you are on a status that permits work (Engineer, Humanities, Skilled Worker, etc.), the back of your Residence Card will show:
就労制限の有無: 就労不可 (no work permitted) or 在留資格に基づく就労活動のみ可 (work permitted within visa scope) or 指定書による (based on attached designated activities)
Part-time workers on Student visas: look for the stamp or notation showing permission for 28 hours/week maximum.