Residence / ReturnResidence Cards
Medium to Long-Term Residents should notify the Immigration Bureau (Osaka Immigration Bureau Kobe Branch: TEL 078-391-6377). Special Permanent Residents should notify the Ward of Branch Office Citizen Services Division where they live.
In the event that the individual in question is sick (diagnosis or power of attorney required) and unable to go his/herself, or is under the age of 16, a family member living together with the individual may perform procedures on his/her behalf.
Notifications Not Related to Address
In the event that any information changes related to the name, date of birth, sex, or nationality/locale of an individual who has completed Resident Registration within the City of Kobe, a notification is required within 14 days of the change. Medium to Long-Term Residents should notify the Immigration Bureau (Osaka Immigration Bureau Kobe Branch: TEL 078-391-6377) of the changes. Special Permanent Residents should notify the Ward of Branch Office Citizen Services Division where they live.
〈Necessary Items〉
- Your current Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Card
- Passport (or Status of Residence Certificate)
- Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.
- Document(s) which prove the change to be evidenced on the Card.
※ For details, please contact the location directly.
Card Exchange Issue
Please apply to be issued a new card if your Residence Card, etc. becomes dirty or is damaged/ripped.
〈Necessary Items〉
- The damaged Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Card
- Passport
- Facial photo (Not necessary for those under 16) Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.
Reissuance of Card
If your Residence Card, etc., is lost or stolen, please apply for another card within 14 days of noticing the incident. If overseas, please apply within 14 days of re-entry to Japan.
〈Necessary Items〉
- In the event of loss or theft, a Certificate of Loss Notification or Certificate of Theft Notification. If lost due to fire, etc., a Disaster Certificate issued by the Fire Department.
- Passport
- Facial photo (Not necessary for those under 16) Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.
Card Transition Period
Current Alien Registration Cards will be treated during the period listed below in Chart 1 as equivalent to a Residence Card or Permanent Resident Card.
If an individual has a change in their status of residence during the period listed in Chart 1 below, he/she will switch to a Residence Card when the information is updated. However, others must apply for a Residence Card themselves before the period ends.
〈Necessary Items〉
- An Alien Registration Card that is treated as a valid Residence Card, etc.
- Passport or Status of Residence Certificate
- Facial photo (Not necessary for those under 16) Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.
Chart 1〈Transition Period〉
| Period to be Equivalent to Special Permanent Resident Card | ||
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 Years Old | Until 16th birthday | |
| Over 16 Years Old | Those whose next confirm- ation (change) period comes before July 8th, 2015 | Until July 8th, 2015 |
| Those not listed above | Until your birthday that is the beginning of the application period for the next confirmation (change) | |
| Period to be Equivalent to Residence Card | ||
| Permanent Residents | Under 16 | Until July 8th, 2015 or 16th birthday – whichever comes first |
| Over 16 | Until July 8th, 2015 | |
| Designated Activities ※Limited to those residing in Japan for Designed Research Activities, etc., and their spouses |
Under 16 | Until final day of period of stay, July 8th, 2015, or 16th birthday – whichever comes first. |
| Over 16 | Until final day of period of stay or July 8th, 2015 – whichever comes first. | |
| Those holding any other Status of Residence ※Those who are short-term visitors or who do not have a status of residence, and subsequently were not issued a Residence Card are excluded. |
Under 16 | Until final day of period of stay or 16th birthday, whichever comes first. |
| Over 16 | Until final day of period of stay | |
The translation is based on the data available as of December, 2012. Please note that new systems, system changes etc. may have been introduced after this date. Responsibility for the linked websites lies with their creators. Kobe City accepts no responsibility for their content etc.