Your residence card (在留カード)

What it shows. Your name, your period of stay, your status of residence, and more.

Where you get it. At Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima, or Fukuoka airport: when you arrive. At other airports or ports: file your moving-in notice first. Then the card comes by mail.

If you lose it. Go to a Regional Immigration Services Office (地方出入国在留管理局) within 14 days. Bring your passport, a photo (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within 6 months; not needed under age 1), and a paper about the loss, such as a police report.

Return your card within 14 days in some cases, for example after you become a Japanese citizen. When you leave Japan for good, give it to the officer at the airport.

Specified Residence Card (特定在留カード). Since June 14, 2026, you can choose a residence card that also works as a My Number Card. It is optional. You can apply at the immigration office when you do other procedures, such as extending your period of stay. Your current card stays valid until it expires.

Questions about your status: call the Immigration Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター), 0570-013904. Weekdays 8:30 to 17:15. It answers general questions.

This page gives general information only. For your own case, ask the Immigration Information Center or a licensed professional (行政書士 or 弁護士).