Residence Card/Procedures to do at the municipal office after entering Japan
- HOME
- Residence Card/Procedures to do at the municipal office after entering Japan
Residence Card/Procedures to do at the municipal office after entering Japan
1. Residence Card
(1) Residence Card
Foreign residents will go through the process of obtaining their residence card once they arrive at the airport.
It is an ID card for foreign residents who will be living in Japan for more than 3 months.
This card is just as important as your passport.
You need your residence card when doing procedures at the municipal office, the bank, etc.
For those who are 16 years and older, you must have your residence card with you at all times.
(2) Changing the details on your residence card (status of residence, extension of period of stay, name, nationality, address, etc.)
You can make the changes at the Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau or at Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau Koriyama Branch Office.
-
Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/soshiki/kikou/sendai.html -
Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau Koriyama Branch Office (Japanese)
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/soshiki/kikou/pdf/20120214_iten-koriyama.pdf
You need various documents when changing the details on your residence card.
You can phone and ask the Immigration Information Center beforehand.
-
Immigration Information Center
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/info/index.html
2. Procedures to do at the municipal office after entering Japan
Foreigners who are planning to stay in Japan for more than 3 months must register their residence at their local municipal office.
(1) Resident Registration
In order to complete the resident registration, you must register your address and submit "The moving-in notification" to your municipality office within 14 days of moving in.
(2) My Number
Each person who register their residence in Japan will be given a My Number (Individual Number).
Your My Number will be created when you have completed registering your residence at the municipal office.
A few days later, an application notice for the My Number card will be sent to your address.
Please follow the notice and apply for the My Number card.
-
Cabinet Office "About Individual Number"
https://www.cao.go.jp/bangouseido/foreigners/english.html
(3) Public Health Insurance
Those who have registered their residence in Japan must enroll in public health insurance.
Once you enroll in public health insurance, you will then receive an insurance card.
You will be paying insurance premiums every month. When you visit a hospital or a medical clinic, your medical expenses will be reduced.
There are roughly 3 kinds of public health insurances in Japan. You must be enrolled in one of them.
Health Insurance | Those who work for a company are able to enroll in this type of insurance. Your employer will handle the insurance process for you. Your employer will pay the health insurance by deducting it from your monthly salary. Please ask your employer if you are able to enroll in the health insurance. |
---|---|
National Health Insurance | Residents who are not a part of their company's health insurance will be enrolled in the National Health Insurance. You can apply for this health insurance when you are registering your residence at the municipal office. |
Medical Care System for the Latter-stage Elderly People | Those who are 75 years old and older can enroll in this insurance. You can apply for this health insurance when you are registering your residence at the municipal office. |
-
Japan Pension Service (Available in 14 languages)
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/pamphlet/index.html
(4) Public Pension
Those who reside in Japan must be enrolled in a Japanese public pension.
When you enroll in the public pension system, you will receive a pension handbook.
You will pay monthly contributions and receive benefits when you reach retirement or when you can no longer work due to sickness and injuries.
If you have been paying a public pension and decide to leave Japan, a portion of your pension payments will be refunded. (Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments)
National Pension System (Basic Pension) | Those who are aged 20 to 60 years old and reside in Japan will be enrolled in the National Pension system. You can enroll in the pension system when you are registering your residence at the municipal office. |
---|---|
Employees' Pension Insurance System | In addition to the national pension, people who are working in companies can be enrolled in Employees' Pension Insurance. Your employer will handle the pension process for you. Your employer will pay the pension contributions by deducting it from your monthly salary. Please ask your employer if you are able to enroll in the Employees' Pension Insurance. |
(5) Schools for children
Education is compulsory in elementary schools and junior high schools.
For foreign children, they can enroll in the school of their choice.
Please inquire about this matter when you are registering your residence at the municipal office.
-
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Guide for foreign students to start school
https://www.mext.go.jp/component/a_menu/education/micro_detail/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2015/06/01/1358329_01.pdf
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to ask us.
Fukushima International Association's Help Desk for Foreign Residents
https://www.worldvillage.org/life/en/consultation/consultation.htmlPlease take a look here as well.
Ministry of Justice「A DAILY LIFE SUPPORT PORTAL FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS」