Certificate of Alien Registration

All students who enter Japan on a student visa are legally required to apply for an alien registration card. Please do so within 14 days of your arrival in Japan at the ward office (city hall) in the area in which you reside. The processing time generally takes two to three weeks. Upon application, you will receive a registration number and pick-up date. Your alien registration card will be your official form of identification while in Japan. See the list of ward offices near TUJ housing below:


Important Notes

  • You are legally required to carry your alien registration card at all times. Otherwise, you must carry your passport with you.
  • You must submit a copy of your alien registration card to the Office of Student Services (OSS) within 7 weeks of your arrival in Japan.
  • Any change(s) in your address, visa status/landing permission, passport, school or place of work must be reported to the ward office and OSS within 14 days of said change(s).
  • When you finish your studies at TUJ and leave Japan, you must return your alien registration card to the immigration inspector at your airport of departure.
  • Students need an alien registration card when applying for re-entry permission or applying for work permission.
  • If any changes are made to your alien registration card, including a change of address, you must submit copies of both sides of the revised card to OSS within 14 days.

Please note that a fine for failure to timely submit a copy of your alien registration card to OSS will be assessed as described above in the Visa Holds and Related Sanctions.


Applying for an Alien Registration Card


Bring the following to your ward office/city hall

  • Two passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
  • Passport
  • Address in Japan

Certificate of Registered Matters
You may also request a Certificate of Registered Matters (touroku genpyo kisai jiko syomeisho) for a small fee. You can use this certificate to open a bank account, purchase a cell phone, and conclude other contracts prior to receipt of your official alien registration card. This certificate can also be used to apply for a work permit or for re-entry permission. Be sure to check the information on the certificate for accuracy before leaving the ward office.

For more info...

If you have further questions, please contact TUJ's visa coordinator at visa@tuj.temple.edu.