Foreigner registration in Japan

Foreigner registration in Japan is a system used to record information regarding aliens resident in Japan. Under Japanese law, foreign residents who work, study, or stay in Japan for more than 90 days (with exception to diplomats and military personnel under the status of forces agreement,) are issued a Residence Card zairyū kādo (在留カード) at a point of entry by Japanese immigration officers. Their immigration information is then submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

Foreign residents in Japan are required by law to carry their resident card with them at all time, or face a fine up to ¥200,000. Foreign residents are also required to disclose their place of residence to the appropriate municipal office, a process that Japanese citizens are also required to do. Foreign residents are provided with an Individual Number and are eligible to apply for a My Number Card and a proof of residency document, once registered an applicable municipal office. Both foreign residents and Japanese citizens are registered on the Basic Resident Registry Network jūmin kihon daichō nettowāku (住民基本台帳ネットワーク).

If a foreign resident leaves Japan and relinquishes residence, they must return their Resident Card before their departure at an airport, seaport, or the nearest Ministry of Justice office. Foreign residents temporarily leaving Japan who wish to keep their Status of Residence must apply for a Re-Entry Permit or Special Re-Entry permit and retain their Residence Cards on departure. In principle, Special Re-Entry permits are created ad-hoc at airports and seaports, whereas Re-Entry permits require advanced application.

Some Korean residents of Japan have a Special Permanent Resident Certificate instead of a Residence Card.