WE all know by now that non-natives are referred to as Aliens upon entering the country. As a form of identification while residing in Japan, all foreign residents are required to register their residence in addition to an Alien Registration Card (ARC) at their local municipal office aka ward / city office (区役所 / 市役所 / 町村役場).
It is in your best interest to get this first step settled within the first week (or within 90 days) of your arrival as this card is needed when you apply for a landline / mobile line, Internet service, open a bank account etc.You will need the follow items* to apply:
- Passport with your current visa stamp
- Two passport sized photos
- Home address (Hotels/hostels/office addresses will NOT be accepted.)
*These are basic requirements for registration; information may differ from office to office. Please check with your specified municipal office prior to your visit.
There should be a counter that says 'Alien/Foreign Registration' in English. The staff at that counter should be able to help you apply for your card. It usually takes a week to two weeks for your card to be created.
You will be given receipt for your application with a date after which you can return to collect your card, also known as the Notification of (NEW) Designated Period for Delivery of Alien Registration Certificate.
The cost of making an ARC is free, but it may cost to replace a lost card, usually ¥2,000.
When applying for your ARC, please make sure to check the box to receive your Certificate(receipt) as proof that you have applied.
When renewing any information such as updating your address or visa status, you will need to update your ARC as well. Please keep in mind the expiration dates for all of your official/foreign registration documents and make sure everything is up to date.
Related Post:
Alien Registration Card ( 外国人登録証明書) & National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) : A follow-up
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