If you are an international graduate starting a new job in Japan in 2026, completing your official registrations on time is crucial for a smooth transition. You must register your residential address at your local municipal office within 14 days of moving in to ensure your residence card and My Number card are properly updated. Planning your housing timeline in advance will help you manage these mandatory administrative steps without stress.
What is the Residence Card and who needs one?
According to JETRO, a residence card (known as a *zairyu* card) is an official identification document issued to mid- to long-term foreign residents who legally stay in Japan. This card is not given to short-term tourists, those with a temporary visitor status, or individuals staying for three months or less. It contains essential details such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, residence status, and the expiration date of your stay.
It is vital to keep this card valid. For non-permanent residents aged 16 or older, the card remains valid until the expiration date of their authorized period of stay. If you fail to renew your card's validity within the required timeframe, you could face severe legal penalties, including a fine of up to 200,000 JPY or imprisonment for up to one year.
Additionally, a major update is coming soon. Beginning in June 2026, Japan will start introducing the "Specified Residence Card." This new card will integrate the standard residence card with the My Number Card, streamlining your identification documents into a single card.
How and when do I register my address in Japan?
When you arrive in Japan or move to a new home, you must register your residential address. By law, you are required to visit the municipal office (city hall or ward office) in the area where you live within 14 days of establishing your residence. You must bring your residence card with you. If your card was not issued at the airport upon entry, you must bring your passport containing the official note indicating that your card will be issued later.
If you move to a different municipality in the future, you must submit a move-out notification to your old municipal office and a move-in notification to your new municipal office within 14 days of the move. If you decide to leave Japan to move overseas, a move-out notification is also required.
The Japanese government has simplified this process by linking the Ministry of Justice and local municipalities. When you register your address at your local municipal office, the information is automatically shared with the Ministry of Justice to update their records. This system prevents you from having to make multiple, overlapping notifications to different government bodies.
If you have questions about the Basic Resident Registration System, you can contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Call Center. They offer a multilingual consultation desk at 0570-066-630 (or 03-6436-3605 for certain VoIP devices). Their service is available in 11 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, and Nepali. Please note that their operating hours are from 8:30 to 17:30, excluding weekends, public holidays, and the New Year period from December 29 to January 3.
How do I get my My Number Card?
The My Number is a unique 12-digit personal identification number used in Japan for administrative procedures related to social security, taxation, and disaster response. Any foreign resident staying in Japan for more than three months is eligible to apply for a My Number Card.
Approximately two to three weeks after you register your address and create your resident certificate at the municipal office, you will receive a notification of your personal number and an application form in the mail. This will be sent via simplified registered mail to your registered address. Once you complete the application, you must bring the required personal items to the designated issuance location to collect your physical My Number Card.
Your physical My Number Card is generally valid until the expiration date of your period of stay. If you are currently applying to extend your stay, you should wait until your extension is officially approved before applying for your My Number Card to ensure the dates match correctly.
What should I do if I change my employer?
If you hold a working status such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" or a learning status like "Student," you must notify the authorities of any changes to your host organization. If you leave your employer, start a contract with a new company, or if your company changes its name or location, you must notify the Ministry of Justice within 14 days.
You can complete this notification in three ways:
- Submitting the notification online through the Immigration Services Agency's e-Notification System.
- Mailing a physical copy of the notification along with a photocopy of your residence card to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
- Visiting your nearest Regional Immigration Services Bureau in person with your residence card.
Finding a place to stay
When moving to Japan for a new job, arranging your housing timeline is a critical first step. Many newcomers choose to stay in a furnished monthly apartment first to give themselves time to settle in and complete their initial administrative tasks. It is best to secure this temporary accommodation before you arrive in Japan, once your Certificate of Eligibility or visa is issued. For a smooth start in Tokyo, OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo. Most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing), which provides the perfect duration to register your address and search for long-term housing. There is no guarantor, no key money and no agency fee; booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card, making it incredibly easy for international graduates to secure a home from abroad.
FAQ
What is the deadline for registering my address after moving into my new home?
You must visit your local municipal office to register your address within 14 days of establishing your place of residence in Japan.
What major change is happening to residence cards in June 2026?
Starting in June 2026, Japan will begin introducing the "Specified Residence Card," which integrates the standard Residence Card and the My Number Card into a single card.
What is the penalty for failing to renew a residence card's validity?
If you fail to renew your residence card within the required period, you may face legal penalties, including imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 200,000 JPY.
Sources
- www.jetro.go.jp「2.7 Residence card and residence management system | Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence - Setting Up Business - In」(checked 2026-10-09)
- www.soumu.go.jp「総務省｜Basic Resident Registration System for Foreign Residents」(checked 2026-10-09)
Facts are summarized in our own words; see the linked pages for the official details.
Rules and dates can change. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.