2025-09-19

Foreign nationals permitted to stay in Japan for medium to long-term periods are issued a “Residence Card.” Possession of this “Residence Card” serves as proof that the holder has been granted permission to reside in Japan by the Japanese government. So, what about “permanent residents”?

What is a Residence Card?

A “Residence Card” is a card held by foreign nationals residing in Japan for medium to long-term periods (3 months or longer). It is issued to foreign nationals by the Immigration Services Agency after they apply for and are granted a status of residence.

This “Residence Card” contains the foreign national’s name, status of residence, and other details. This constitutes important information held by the Minister of Justice. If any information on the Residence Card changes, the foreign national must promptly submit a notification of change.

Information on the Card and Permanent Residents

The Residence Card displays the following information for the foreign national granted permission to stay: name, date of birth, gender, nationality/region, place of residence, status of residence, employment restrictions (if any), period of stay (expiration date), type of permission, date of permission, and date of issuance. Additionally, the upper right corner of the card’s front side displays the holder’s photograph.

Note that a Residence Card will not be issued to foreign nationals falling under any of the following categories:
・Foreign nationals with a period of stay of “less than 3 months”
・Foreign nationals holding the “Temporary Visitor” status of residence
・Foreign nationals holding the “Diplomatic” or “Official” status of residence
・Staff members or their family members of the Japan offices of the Association of East Asian Relations (such as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan) or the General Delegation of Palestine in Japan, who have been granted the “Designated Activities” status of residence
・Special Permanent Residents
・Foreign nationals without a status of residence

For foreign nationals holding permanent residency, the “Status of Residence” field on their Residence Card will state “Permanent Resident”.

Special Permanent Residents and Cards

In Japan, besides permanent residents, “special permanent residents” are also granted “permanent residency rights.”

These “special permanent residents” are Zainichi Koreans, Koreans, and Taiwanese who resided in Japan before World War II and remained in Japan after the war, along with their descendants.

Permanent residents and special permanent residents are the same in that they can reside permanently in Japan. However, permanent residents are foreign nationals granted permanent residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRA). Special permanent residents, on the other hand, are granted permanent residence under the Act on Special Measures Concerning Immigration Control for Persons Who Renounced Japanese Nationality Based on the Treaty of Peace with Japan. In other words, while both permanent residents and special permanent residents can live permanently in Japan, the legal basis for their permanent residence differs.

Furthermore, the offices where applications for permanent residence are submitted and certificates are received also differ. Permanent residents apply at the Immigration Services Agency office with jurisdiction over their place of residence, while special permanent residents apply at the local government office in their place of residence.

Additionally, the “card” used to prove residence status differs. For special permanent residents, the document proving “permanent residence status” is not a “Residence Card,” but a “Special Permanent Resident Certificate.” This certificate displays the holder’s name, date of birth, gender, nationality/region, and place of residence. A photograph is also affixed in the upper right corner of the certificate’s front side.

Summary

Permanent residents are also issued a Residence Card. However, for Zainichi Koreans, South Koreans, and Taiwanese who meet specific requirements, a “Special Permanent Resident Certificate” card is issued instead of a Residence Card.