【Answers to Your Residence Card Questions!】Can I Renew Online?
Renewing your Residence Card is an essential procedure for foreign nationals continuing to live and work in Japan. Recently, we’ve heard many questions like, “Can I renew online?” This article explains the basics of the Residence Card, how to renew it, and whether online procedures are possible.
What is a Residence Card?
A Residence Card is an identity document issued to foreign nationals staying in Japan as mid- to long-term residents. This card contains details such as name, date of birth, nationality, status of residence, period of stay, and whether work restrictions apply. It plays a vital role in daily life and administrative procedures in Japan.
The Residence Card is required for various purposes, such as resident registration, opening a bank account, signing a mobile phone contract, and identity verification when working. Therefore, it is essential to always carry a valid card.
Furthermore, when the expiration date of the period of stay approaches, or if there are changes to the information on the card (such as name or nationality), specific procedures must be followed. It is particularly important to act promptly, especially when renewing the period of stay, as failure to do so could result in illegal stay.
Renewing Your Residence Card
Residence card renewal is primarily done through an “Application for Extension of Period of Stay.” This procedure is for foreign nationals wishing to continue staying in Japan after their current status period expires.
You can generally apply for renewal starting three months before your current period of stay expires. Prepare the required documents and submit them to the Immigration Bureau (IBC) with jurisdiction over your address. After the application is reviewed and approved, a new period of stay is granted, and the Residence Card is renewed.
During the renewal process, a stamp indicating “Application Pending” is affixed to the back of the Residence Card, allowing legal stay throughout the review period. However, applications submitted after the expiration date are not accepted, so careful schedule management is essential.
Online Renewal Procedures
To be clear, the renewal of the Residence Card itself cannot be completed entirely online. However, for certain residence statuses, you can use the “Online Residence Procedures System” to submit your Application for Extension of Period of Stay online.
Using online application reduces the number of visits to the immigration office and the associated burden, minimizing disruption to work and daily life. However, once the application is approved, you must generally collect the renewed Residence Card in person at an immigration office counter.
Additionally, online application requires prior user registration, a My Number Card, and eligibility based on your specific residence status. Therefore, it is not available to everyone. You must confirm beforehand whether your residence status qualifies for this service.
Summary
The Residence Card is an essential document for foreign nationals residing in Japan for the medium to long term. Renewal procedures must be completed strictly by the deadline. While online renewal applications are possible for some cases, the actual issuance of the Residence Card requires in-person handling at the Immigration Bureau counter. It is crucial to select the procedure best suited to your situation and prepare well in advance.
