Obtain the Certificate of Eligibility for Residence and apply for a business visa at the Consulate-General of Japan.
When traveling to Japan for the first time, how do I obtain a residence card?
What procedures do foreigners need to take to obtain a residence card?
If you have any questions above, please consult us.
Table of contents
- Prework of obtaining a residence card↓
- What is a residence card?↓
- What can residence cards do?↓
- How to receive a residence card?↓
- When does the residence card expire?↓
Prework of obtaining a residence card
After obtaining the "Certificate of Eligibility for Residence" issued by the Japan Immigration Agency, you must prepare the following documents and submit a visa application to the Consulate-General of Japan.
After obtaining the visa, you can go to the Japanese airport to apply for the residence card.
1. Original passport (valid for more than 6 months, if you have an old passport, you must submit it together)
2. Visa application form (the applicant must personally sign the same as the signature column in the passport)
3. One color ID photo, 4.5 cm high x 3.5 cm wide, white background (taken within 6 months, front-facing, hat off, no background)
4. Original and 1 photocopy of the front and back of the ID card
5. The original and one photocopy of the front and back of the Certificate of Eligibility for Residence
The visa will be issued within 5 working days after the application is accepted. However, visa issuance may be delayed due to factors such as supplementary documents, so sufficient time must be planned in advance.
What is a residence card?
Residence Card (在留カード）is an identity document issued by the Japanese government to foreigners who are staying in Japan on a medium to long-term basis.
The residence card contains important information such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, region, place of residence, status of residence, period of stay, and availability of employment.
What can a residence card do?
The residence card is an identification document issued to foreigners who have permission to enter the country and who are staying in the country on a medium to long-term basis. With this card, you can open bank accounts, register your household, buy a cell phone SIM card, etc. It's as important as the My Number card.
Cardholders must carry it with them at all times.
How to receive a residence card?
When arriving at the Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hiroshima Airport, and Fukuoka Airport:
When going through security, you must go through the dedicated channel to apply for a residence card. After customs review, a sticker stating "Entry Permit (上陸許可)" will be affixed to your passport, and you will receive your residence card on the spot. The photo on the residence card is the photo submitted when applying for the visa at that time, and no additional preparation is required.
After confirming your place of residence for the duration of your stay, you must go to the municipal or district office (市區町村役所) of your place of residence with your residence card to complete the resident registration procedures within 14 days.
When arriving at other airports:
When going through security, a sticker stating "Entry Permit (上陸許可) will be affixed to your passport, and the words "Residence Card will be delivered at a later date" will be stamped on your passport.
After confirming your place of residence for the duration of your stay, you must go to the municipal or district office (市區町村役所) of your place of residence within 14 days with a stamped passport to complete the resident registration procedures. After completion, the residence card will be mailed to your residential address.
When does the residence card expire?
| Over 16 years old | Under 16 years old | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent resident | 7 years from delivery date | Before 16th birthday |
| Non permanent resident | Expiration date of residence period | The expiration date of the period of residence or before the 16th birthday, whichever is earlier |