Procedures › Foreign residents
My wardsHow foreign residents are registered
Overview
Explains the change in how foreign residents are registered, which took effect in 2012. Foreign residents are now on the basic resident register, like Japanese nationals. Mid- to long-term residents receive a residence card, and special permanent residents a special permanent resident certificate. Address and household changes, resident records and the certificates they need are handled at the ward office. Questions on residence status go to the immigration bureau, and questions on the register go to the Residents Register and Family Register Section.
What changed on 9 July 2012
Since 9 July 2012, foreign residents are registered under the basic resident register system instead of the former foreign registration system. Mid- to long-term residents, including permanent residents, receive a residence card. Special permanent residents receive a special permanent resident certificate. These cards replaced the foreign registration certificate.
The cards
| Card | Who receives it | Where it is issued | Information recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence card | Mid- to long-term residents, including permanent residents | Immigration Services Agency | Name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, address, residence status, period of stay (expiry date), type of permission, date of permission |
| Special permanent resident certificate | Special permanent residents | Ward office | Name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, address |
The cards have an IC chip, a face photo and an expiry date. They are issued by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.
Resident register
Foreign residents are covered by the basic resident register, and are recorded there like Japanese residents. The entries are generally based on the residence card or the special permanent resident certificate. The ward office no longer issues copies or certificates of the former foreign registration records. For records from before 8 July 2012, request disclosure from the Immigration Services Agency.
Who is on the resident register
- Mid- to long-term residents: a residence status other than short-term stay, diplomat or official, for more than 3 months, with a residence card
- Special permanent residents with a special permanent resident certificate
- Holders of a temporary refuge permit or temporary stay (people who may be refugees)
- People with a transitional stay after birth or loss of Japanese nationality: up to 60 days from the event, without a residence status
Who is not on the resident register
- Those granted a residence status for 3 months or less
- Those with a short-term stay, diplomat or official residence status
- Others set by Ministry of Justice ordinance
People who are not staying lawfully (for example, overstaying), and people who did not notify foreign registration correctly by the date of the system change, may not be on the resident register.
Procedures at the ward office
- Notice of a change of address (including residence) or household: moving in, moving out, household change
- Copies of the resident record and other certificates
- Seal registration and seal registration certificates
- Procedures for the special permanent resident certificate (special permanent permission, renewal application)
Procedures at the immigration bureau
- Renewal or change of the period of stay; change of name, date of birth or nationality; change in the requirements of the residence status
- Procedures for the residence card (permanent residence permission, renewal application)
- Entry and exit procedures (re-entry permit)
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Other guides in this topic
Foreign residentsSwitching foreign registration certificates to the new cardsGuide Foreign residentsResidence card proceduresGuide Foreign residentsSpecial permanent resident proceduresGuideHow to apply
Where
Ward office for address and household changes and certificates; immigration bureau for residence status matters
Contact
Residents Register and Family Register Section, 03-5432-2236; Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, 0570-03-4259; Immigration Information Center, 0570-013904
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