【Your Official ID in Japan】A Guide to the Residence Card (Zairyu Card)

If you are planning to stay in Japan for the medium to long term, you will need a Residence Card (Zairyu Card).

This card is issued to foreign nationals who will reside in Japan for more than three months, for purposes other than short-term tourism.

This guide will explain how to get your Residence Card and what you need to do afterward.

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The way you receive your card depends on how you enter Japan.

This is the most common case.

Major airports include Narita, Haneda, Kansai (Osaka), and others.

At immigration, you will receive your Residence Card on the spot, along with the landing permission stamp in your passport.

If you arrive at a smaller port, a landing permission stamp will be placed in your passport.

After you register your address at your local municipal office, your Residence Card will be mailed to you.

Congratulations on receiving your Residence Card!

Your life in Japan has officially begun.

Your first challenge is getting from the airport to the city with all your luggage.

An airport limousine bus is a comfortable and stress-free option, taking you directly to major hotels and train stations.

Once you have decided on a place to live, you must register your address at the local municipal office (city hall or ward office).

This must be done within 14 days of moving in.

Failure to complete this procedure can result in penalties, so please do not forget.

In Japan, you are legally required to carry your Residence Card with you at all times (except for those under 16).

You must present it if requested by a police officer or an immigration official.

Getting your Residence Card is the first step.

The next crucial procedure is registering your address.

Our guide explains how.

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