Address Registration Guide After Arriving in Japan — Quick Answer Ward Office, Residence Card & My Number

⚡ 30-Second Answer: Address registration after arrival is required within 14 days = (1) bring your Residence Card to the ward / municipal office (2) submit a moving-in notification to register on the residence record (3) receive your My Number notification card by mail at home (1-2 weeks) (4) National Health Insurance (optional) + National Pension (mandatory) (5) open a bank account and get a phone contract after the certificate of residence is issued. Late registration risks a ¥50,000 fine. Not required for short-term tourist visas (under 90 days).

Quick Reference	Value
Deadline	Within 14 days of entry
Where	Ward office / municipal office
Residence Card	Required
My Number	Mailed 1-2 weeks later
Tourist visa	Not required
Last verified	June 2026

30-Second Answer

Foreigners staying 3 months or longer must register their address. Complete it at the ward / municipal office within 14 days of entry. Once you receive your My Number, bank, phone and insurance procedures unlock in sequence. Tourist-visa holders cannot (and do not need to) register.

📋 Who Needs To Register

✅ Address registration required

• Long-term visa holders staying 3+ months
  • Student visa
  • Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services etc.)
  • Dependent visa
  • Spouse visa
  • Permanent resident visa
  • Specified Skilled Worker visa

❌ Address registration not required

• Tourist visa (90 days or less)
• Short-term business visa (15 days or less)
• Transit

🏛 Address Registration Flow (Within 14 Days)

Step 1: Confirm your residence

• Choose your housing within 1 week
• Rental contract, dormitory, or long-stay hotel etc.
• Prepare proof of address (rental contract etc.)

Step 2: Visit the ward / municipal office

• Weekdays 8:30-17:00 (varies by municipality)
• "Foreign Residents Registration Counter" or "Residents Affairs Division"
• What to bring:
  • Residence Card
  • Passport
  • Proof of residence (rental contract / utility bill)
  • Photo (some municipalities)

Step 3: Submit the moving-in notification

• Fill out the "moving-in notification" form
• Multilingual forms available (English version included)
• Staff confirm your address, write it on your Residence Card, and stamp it
• Time: 30-60 minutes

Step 4: Receive your certificate of residence

• Issued on the spot in some municipalities
• Fee ¥300 per copy
• Get 2-3 copies for bank and phone contracts

Step 5: Receive My Number (1-2 weeks later)

• The "My Number notification card" is mailed to your home
• Optionally apply to switch to the electronic Individual Number Card

💳 Types of My Number Card

Notification card (paper)

• Issued for free
• Lists your My Number
• Cannot be used as photo ID

My Number Card (with IC chip)

• 1-2 months to receive after applying
• Valid as photo ID
• Includes electronic certificates (issue certificates at convenience stores)
• My Number Points and other benefits available

How to apply

1. Mail the application enclosed with your notification card
2. Apply online (My Number Portal)
3. Apply via photo booth

🏥 National Health Insurance & Pension (Simultaneous Procedures)

National Health Insurance

• Optional but recommended
• Monthly ¥10,000-50,000 (income-linked)
• You pay 30% of medical costs
• Company employees use company-based insurance instead

National Pension

• Mandatory for stays of 3+ months
• Monthly ¥16,520 (FY2026)
• Students can defer with the "Student Payment Exception"
• Use the "Exemption System" if you can't afford it

📍 Notes by Municipality

23 Wards of Tokyo

• Shinjuku, Shibuya and Minato wards have English-speaking staff on duty
• Online appointment booking available at some wards

Osaka City

• Chuo and Kita wards are well set up for foreign residents
• Multilingual brochures available

Kyoto City

• English, Chinese and Korean interpreter services
• Locally accustomed to international visitors

Regional cities

• You may need to bring an interpreter
• International exchange associations offer support services

💼 Procedures Unlocked After Address Registration

1. Bank account opening

• Certificate of residence + Residence Card + My Number
• Cannot open with a tourist visa

2. Mobile phone contract

• Certificate of residence + Residence Card
• SoftBank / docomo / au + Rakuten
• MVNOs (mineo / IIJmio etc.) also fine

3. Home internet contract

• Certificate of residence required
• Not required if your apartment has it built in

4. Credit card application

• Certificate of residence + proof of 1+ year residence
• Issuance takes 1-2 weeks

5. Driver's license (obtain or transfer)

• International driving permit valid for 1 year
• Need to convert to a Japanese license

🌏 Extra Documents by Country

🇺🇸 USA

• Alien Registration Card (ARC)

🇨🇳 China

• Chinese national ID card

🇰🇷 Korea

• Korean registration certificate

🇪🇺 Europe

• EU residence permit

🇹🇭 Thailand / 🇮🇩 Indonesia etc.

• Birth certificate with embassy-certified translation

📅 Late Registration & Extensions

❌ If you can't register within 14 days

• Risk of ¥50,000 fine
• Extensions possible with "legitimate reasons" (illness, disaster etc.)
• You can still register late

⚠️ When changing address

• Submit a moving-out notification + moving-in notification together
• Re-register at the new address

⚠️ Renewing your Residence Card

• Apply from 3 months before expiry
• Visit an immigration office
• Renewal fee ¥4,000-9,500

🏃 When in a Hurry (Same-Day Service)

Want to open a bank account same-day

• Some branches of Prestia / Shinsei Bank offer same-day service
• Get certificate of residence → open account same day at the bank

Same-day My Number Card

• Not possible — at minimum 1-2 months wait
• Many procedures work with the notification card

5 Common Tourist Mistakes

1. Trying to register an address on a tourist visa → application refused
2. Missing the 14-day window → fine risk
3. Trying to open a bank account or phone contract before housing is settled → no proof of address, rejected
4. Losing the My Number notification card → reissue possible but takes 1-2 weeks
5. Unable to visit the ward office during weekday hours → some have Saturday hours, but check in advance

Pre-Departure Checklist

Before entry

• Obtain residence visa
• Shortlist housing (rental contract or dormitory etc.)

Within 1 week of entry

• Confirm housing
• Obtain proof of residence

Within 14 days of entry

• Visit ward office and submit moving-in notification
• Obtain 2-3 copies of certificate of residence
• Consider National Health Insurance

1-2 weeks later

• Receive My Number notification card
• Open bank account
• Sign mobile phone contract

1 month later

• Apply for My Number Card
• Apply for credit card

FAQ

Q: Can I register an address on a tourist visa?

A: Absolutely not. Only long-term visa holders staying 3+ months are eligible.

Q: What happens if I miss the 14-day deadline?

A: You risk a ¥50,000 fine. Waivers possible with "legitimate reasons". Talk to the ward office as soon as possible.

Q: What is My Number used for?

A: Taxes, social insurance, bank accounts, tax filing and more. Required for almost all government procedures.

Q: What do I do when I move?

A: Submit a moving-out notification + a moving-in notification at the new municipality within 14 days. Update your certificate of residence.

Q: What do I need to do before leaving Japan?

A: Submit a moving-out notification at the ward office. Return the Residence Card (at the airport). Return the My Number Card.

Editorial info: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026. The address registration system is subject to legal revisions, so check the Immigration Services Agency website (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa) and the My Number Portal (https://myna.go.jp) for the latest information.