You Must Report Your Address in Japan
If you stay in Japan for more than 3 months and have a Residence Card, you are called a mid- to long-term resident. All mid- to long-term residents must report their address to the city or ward office.
If you do not do this:
- You may get a fine up to 200,000 yen
- In the worst case, your residence status may be cancelled
Who must report?
You must report if you:
- Stay in Japan for more than 3 months, and
- Have a Residence Card
But you do not need to report if you are:
- Staying for 3 months or less
- "Temporary Visitor"
- "Diplomat" or "Official"
What is an "address" (residence)?
Your main place of living in Japan. It must look like a real home, and you must plan to stay there for some time.
Examples:
- OK: Apartment, house, hotel with a long-stay plan
- Not OK: Short-stay hotel, park, street
How to report
- Go to your city or ward office (not Immigration).
- Bring your Residence Card.
- Fill in a moving-in form (住民異動届).
After this, your address is put on your Residence Card (back side) and reported to Immigration automatically.
If you do not have your Residence Card yet
Sometimes you do not get your Residence Card at the airport. In this case, your passport says "Residence Card will be issued later." Take your passport to the city office and report your address. Your Residence Card will then be sent by mail to that address. If you do not report, you cannot receive your Residence Card.
If you cannot go yourself
- If you are under 16 or sick, your family who lives with you must go and report for you.
- Another person can also report if you give them an authorization letter and they bring their ID.
Remember
- Report your address at the city or ward office
- Do it as soon as you move in
- Without this, you may lose your Residence Card or residence status
Notes (Law References)
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA)
- Art. 19-7, 19-8, 19-9 (Duty to report address)
- Art. 71-5 (Fine up to 200,000 yen)
- Art. 22-4-8, 22-4-9 (Cancellation of status of residence)
- Art. 19-3 (Definition of mid- to long-term resident)