I will explain in detail! Who issues the residence card?
Residence cards are issued to foreigners staying in Japan. However, few people know where it is issued from, do they? Here, we will explain the issuing authority and rules of the resident card.
What is a residence card?
A resident card is issued to foreign nationals who will stay in Japan for a medium- to long-term period (3 months or longer). It is issued when an application for a new landing permission, permission for change of status of residence, permission for extension of period of stay, or other status of residence is received and approved.
The “resident card” also serves as a “certificate” to prove that the status of residence and period of stay are legal. Therefore, the resident card contains important information such as the foreigner’s name, date of birth, gender, nationality/region, place of residence, status of residence, period of stay, and whether or not the foreigner can work.
Who is the issuing authority?
Residence cards are. It is issued by the Director General of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency (Immigration Bureau) as proof of approval for an application by a foreigner to stay in Japan. Therefore, the issuing authority is the Immigration Bureau.
When a foreigner enters Japan, a resident card is issued at the airport or seaport if the foreigner has a status of residence applicable to mid- to long-term residents. If, after entering Japan, the foreign national applies for a change of status of residence at a regional immigration office and is approved for medium- to long-term resident status, a resident card will be issued at that regional immigration office.
After the resident card is issued, you must complete the “notification of moving-in” procedure at the local government office where you have your resident card within 14 days of starting to live there. The procedure requires the resident card, passport, and an original (not required for one-person households) and translation of a document issued by the government or other public institution in the applicant’s home country that certifies the relationship between the head of household and the applicant.
Rules concerning Residence Cards
Foreign nationals with a resident card must observe the following rules.
(1) Always have your resident card with you.
(2) Present your resident card when asked to do so by a police officer.
(3) Do not lend your resident card to others or borrow another person’s resident card.
(4) Do not create or alter your resident card without permission.
(5) Return to your own country and return it to the immigration office if you do not return to Japan.
(6) If you lose your resident card, report it to the police as soon as possible and go through the procedure for reissuing it at the immigration office within 14 days.
(7) When you change your name, you must report it to the Immigration Bureau within 14 days.
(8) When there is a change of address, notify the municipal office within 14 days.
(9) If you continue to stay in Japan, you must renew your visa within the period of validity.
Summary
The Immigration Bureau of Japan is the issuer of the resident card. The Immigration Bureau is a government office under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. There are some rules for those who have a residence card, so please be very careful.
