Procedures › Foreign residents
My wardsResidence card procedures
Overview
Explains where residence card procedures are done. Mid- to long-term residents and permanent residents do them at the regional immigration bureau, not at the ward office. Examples are a change of name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, a change in the requirements of the residence status, and renewal, which can be filed from three months before expiry. Notice of a change of address is still given at the ward office. Since 2026, an optional specific residence card combines the My Number card and the residence card.
Where to go
For mid- to long-term residents and permanent residents, the residence card procedures are done at the regional immigration bureau. No filing at the ward office is needed for them. The exception is the notification of your residence address, which is made at the ward office.
Examples of notifications to the regional bureau
- A change of name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region
- A change in the requirements of the residence status
- Renewal of the period of stay, which can be filed from three months before the expiry date
Specific residence card
From 14 June 2026, the revised immigration law allows a specific residence card that combines the My Number card and the residence card. Applying for it is optional. You can apply at the immigration bureau at the same time as other residence card procedures. The Immigration Services Agency website gives the details.
At the ward office, a specific residence card can be applied for only at the same time as an address notification, such as a move into the ward or a move within it.
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Other guides in this topic
Foreign residentsHow foreign residents are registeredGuide Foreign residentsSwitching foreign registration certificates to the new cardsGuide Foreign residentsSpecial permanent resident proceduresGuideHow to apply
Do the residence card procedures at the immigration bureau. Address notifications are still made at the ward office.
Where
- Immigration Information Center: weekdays 8:30–17:15
Contact
Residents Register and Family Register Section, 03-5432-2236; Immigration Information Center, 0570-013904 (from IP phones, PHS and overseas, 03-5796-7112; weekdays 8:30 to 17:15)
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