Do You Have to Carry Your Residence Card at All Times in Japan? Carrying Duty and What to Do If You Lose It
Written by：SUMIMOTO Inc.Editorial Policy
The residence card issued to foreign nationals staying in Japan mid- to long-term is often used as ID, and many people wonder: do I have to carry it all the time, and what happens if I lose it?
This article explains the carrying and showing duties, the usual steps after loss or theft, and how to read the expiry date. Procedures can change, so check the latest guidance from the Immigration Services Agency.
Who has to carry the card, and when must it be shown?
Mid- to long-term residents who are issued a residence card are generally required to carry it at all times. Persons under 16 are not subject to the carrying duty.
You must show the card when immigration inspectors, immigration guards, police officers, and similar officials ask for it, for example during a police check on the street or at an airport or port. A copy or a phone photo is generally not enough, so carry the original.
Numbers to keep in mind
- Age for the carrying duty
- 16years
- Fine for not carrying the card
- 200,000yen or less
- Guide for applying for reissue after loss or theft
- 14days
- Card validity for permanent residents
- 7years
Under 16 is outside the duty
Penalty under the Immigration Control Act
From the day you notice; confirm the latest guidance
The card still needs renewal
What should you do if the card is lost or stolen?
If you notice it is lost or stolen, first report it to the police (lost-property or theft report) and keep the receipt number. Then apply for reissue at the regional immigration office covering your area. As a guide, apply within 14 days of noticing.
The reissued card generally has a new card number. If your number is registered with banks, mobile carriers, your employer, or your property manager, notify them of the new number to keep procedures smooth.
Basic steps after loss or theft
| Step | What to do | Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | File a lost or stolen report with the police | Note the receipt number and date |
| 2 | Apply for reissue at the immigration office | Within about 14 days of noticing |
| 3 | Prepare documents | Application form, photo, passport, report copy |
| 4 | Receive the new card | Notify others if the number changed |
Legal basis
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Art. 23
- Mid- to long-term residents must carry the residence card and show it when asked by immigration inspectors, police officers, and others (persons under 16 are outside the carrying duty).
- Same Act, Art. 75-3
- A person who violates Article 23, paragraph 1 by not carrying the card is subject to a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (e-Gov Law Search)
How do you read the expiry date, and what if you forget to renew?
The back of the card shows the date your period of stay ends (expiry date). For most statuses, the card's validity and the period of stay end on the same date. Permanent residents are an exception: the period of stay has no limit, but the card itself must be renewed every 7 years.
Passing the date may be treated as overstaying, with serious effects on future stays and permanent residence applications. Renewal can generally be applied for from three months before the expiry date, so add it to your calendar early.
Common slips and fixes
✕Left the card at home and could not show it in a police check.
→Make it a habit to put it in your wallet or card case before going out.
✕Noticed the loss but waited weeks.
→Report to the police on the day and apply for reissue within about 14 days.
✕Forgot to tell banks or employers the card number changed.
→List where the number is registered and notify them after reissue.
✕A permanent resident who ignored the card's expiry.
→Check the expiry date and plan renewal before it ends.
Residence card checklist
- I carry the original card when I go out
- I checked the address notes on the back
- I added the expiry date to my calendar
- I noted the police and immigration contacts for loss
- I keep a photo of the card elsewhere (not a substitute for the original)
- I checked the carrying duty for family members turning 16
FAQ
- Q. Do children under 16 need to carry it?
- A. No, persons under 16 are outside the carrying duty. Families still often keep it safe because it is needed for procedures.
- Q. Can I carry my passport instead?
- A. Generally the passport cannot substitute for the residence card's carrying duty.
- Q. Does reissue cost money?
- A. Fees and documents can change, so check the latest Immigration Services Agency guidance before applying.
- Q. What if I find the lost card?
- A. An old card found after reissue generally must be returned to the immigration office. Confirm the procedure with the office.
In the SUMIMOTO Hub app, the 24-hour AI advisor explains life in Japan and property procedures in multiple languages. For individual residence-status questions, consult a qualified professional such as an administrative scrivener, or the immigration office.
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References & Sources
This article provides general information as of its publication date and is not individual legal, tax or investment advice. It was written with the help of generative AI.Editorial Policy
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