Guide to Living in Japan as a Foreigner: Essential Procedures

 # Guide to Living in Japan as a Foreigner: Essential Procedures


## Initial Entry Procedures


### 1. Immigration and Visa

- Obtain an appropriate visa from a Japanese embassy/consulate before entering Japan

- Common visa types:

  - Work visa (for employment)

  - Student visa (for studies)

  - Dependent visa (for family members)

  - Specified Skilled Worker visa

  - Highly Skilled Professional visa

- Visa duration typically ranges from 3 months to 5 years


### 2. Residence Card (在留カード)

- Issued at major airports upon arrival

- For other ports of entry, sent to your registered address

- Contains important information:

  - Residence status

  - Period of stay

  - Personal information

  - Current address

- Must carry at all times

- Valid throughout your stay in Japan


## Post-Arrival Registration


### 1. Address Registration

- Visit local city hall/ward office within 14 days of finding residence

- Required documents:

  - Passport

  - Residence Card

  - Rental contract or proof of address

- Receive:

  - Juminhyo (住民票, Resident Registration)

  - My Number notification (マイナンバー)


### 2. National Health Insurance (国民健康保険)

- Mandatory for stays over 3 months

- Register at local city hall/ward office

- Required documents:

  - Residence Card

  - Passport

  - My Number (if already received)

- Coverage:

  - 70% of medical costs covered

  - 30% paid by the insured

- Monthly premium varies by income and location


### 3. Pension System (年金)

- Required for residents aged 20-59

- Register at local city hall or pension office

- Types:

  - National Pension (国民年金)

  - Employee's Pension (厚生年金) for company workers

- Monthly contributions required

- Possible exemptions for students and low-income individuals


## Banking and Financial Procedures


### 1. Opening a Bank Account

- Recommended banks for foreigners:

  - Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行)

  - MUFG Bank

  - Shinsei Bank

- Required documents:

  - Residence Card

  - Passport

  - Phone number

  - Personal seal (hanko) or signature

- Services typically include:

  - ATM card

  - Online banking

  - Direct deposit

  - Bill payment services


### 2. Mobile Phone Contract

- Major carriers:

  - NTT Docomo

  - SoftBank

  - au (KDDI)

- Required documents:

  - Residence Card

  - Passport

  - Bank account details

  - Credit card (sometimes required)


## Employment-Related Procedures


### 1. Tax Registration

- Obtain Tax Number (My Number)

- Register at workplace for income tax

- Annual tax return (確定申告) if necessary

- Tax obligations:

  - Income tax

  - Resident tax

  - Social insurance premiums


### 2. Social Insurance (社会保険)

- Required for full-time employees

- Includes:

  - Health Insurance

  - Pension Insurance

  - Employment Insurance

  - Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance

- Costs shared between employer and employee


## Daily Life Registration


### 1. Transportation

- Register for transportation IC cards:

  - Suica

  - PASMO

  - ICOCA (regional variants)

- Consider commuter passes if working/studying


### 2. Housing

- Documentation needed for rental:

  - Proof of income

  - Residence Card

  - Passport

  - Guarantor or guarantee company

- Utility registration:

  - Electricity

  - Gas

  - Water

  - Internet


## Important Renewal Procedures


### 1. Residence Status Renewal

- Apply before current status expires

- Required documents:

  - Application forms

  - Photos

  - Passport

  - Residence Card

  - Supporting documents (varies by visa type)

- Processing time: 2-4 weeks typically


### 2. Re-entry Permit

- Special Re-entry Permit (みなし再入国許可):

  - Valid for up to 1 year

  - Free of charge

  - Obtained at airport

- Regular Re-entry Permit:

  - Required for stays abroad over 1 year

  - Apply at Immigration Bureau


## Emergency Preparedness


### 1. Emergency Registration

- Register with your embassy

- Save emergency contact numbers:

  - Police (110)

  - Fire/Ambulance (119)

  - Local embassy

  - Japan Helpline (0570-000-911)


### 2. Natural Disaster Preparation

- Register for disaster alert services

- Know evacuation areas in your neighborhood

- Prepare emergency kit

- Download disaster information apps


## Cultural Integration


### 1. Language Support

- Register for Japanese language classes

- Access local international association services

- Use government multilingual support services


### 2. Community Integration

- Join local community centers

- Participate in cultural exchange events

- Connect with international communities


Remember to keep copies of all important documents and stay informed about any changes in immigration laws or procedures that might affect your status in Japan.

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