What to do when you lose your residence card in Japan? Quick and easy solutions you should know!

Living and working in Japan, the residence card is like an extremely important "identification card" for foreigners. However, if unfortunately lost alien card in japan, how do you need to handle it so that it does not affect your residence status, work and daily life? Let's find out the details through the article below to have the correct and fastest handling direction!

What is a foreigner card and is it important?

The alien registration card, also known as the residence card (在留カード), is an extremely important legal document for foreigners living in Japan. This card is not simply a regular identification document but also proves your legal residence status in the land of the rising sun.

The residence card contains important personal information such as name, nationality, date of birth, gender, current address in Japan, residence status, and period of stay. In addition, the residence card also has a unique residence number (My Number) and an electronic chip that stores the owner's biometric information.

The importance of alien card is shown in:

• It is a mandatory document to carry with you when living in Japan.
• Used to prove legal residence status
• Necessary when doing administrative procedures, opening bank accounts, signing phone contracts
• Use when going to the doctor or hospital
• Necessary when applying for a job or renting a house

Under Japanese law, foreigners must carry their residence card with them at all times. Failure to present it when requested by authorities can result in a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

Consequences of losing your alien card

When you lose your foreign resident card in Japan, you will face many serious consequences if you do not handle it promptly and properly:

• Violation of the law: Japanese law requires foreigners to carry their residence card at all times. Not having one means you are not complying with this regulation.
• Difficulties in daily life: Without a foreigner card, you will have problems making financial transactions, renting a house, signing a phone contract, or even traveling within the country.
• Personal security risks: Your alien registration card contains important personal information. If it falls into the wrong hands, your information could be used to commit illegal activities.
• Fine: If you do not report the loss of your card within 14 days of discovery (or from when you could have reported it), you may be fined up to 200,000 yen.
• Procedural hassles: Re-issuing a foreign resident card requires a lot of paperwork, time and money.

Because of the serious consequences mentioned above, timely handling of lost alien registration cards in Japan is extremely important. Fortunately, the Japanese government has a clear process to resolve this issue.

Steps to take when losing your alien registration card in Japan

When you discover that you have lost your foreign resident card in Japan, you need to immediately take the following steps to minimize risks and handle the situation legally:

Report lost card to the police station

The first and most important thing you need to do when you lose your residence card in Japan is to go to the nearest police station (交番 – Koban) to make a report. You need to explain the situation and provide personal information as well as details about the loss of the card. 

You need to report the loss within 14 days of discovering the loss. However, it is best to do this as soon as possible to ensure the safety of your personal information. After completing the report, you will receive a lost card report certificate (遺失届証明書 – Ishitsu Todoke Shomeisho). This is an important document that should be kept carefully for use in the next step.

Re-issuance of alien registration card: What documents are required?

After reporting to the police, you need to go to the local Immigration Bureau (出入国在留管理局 – Shutsunyukoku Zairyu Kanrikyoku) to apply for a reissue of your alien registration card. You need to prepare the following documents:

• Application for re-issuance of residence card (Zairyu Card Saikofu Shinseisho – Zairyu Card Saikofu Shinseisho): This form is available at the Immigration Bureau or can be downloaded from their official website.
• Certificate of reported lost card from the police (遺失届証明書 – Ishitsu Todoke Shomeisho)
• Passport still validated
• Ảnh thẻ (4cm x 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
• Additional documents depending on the case:
  • Health insurance card
  • Japanese driver's license (if applicable)
  • My Number Card (if applicable)
  • Proof of current address

Fees and related costs

When applying for a re-issue of a lost alien card, you need to prepare the following expenses:

• Fee for reissuing alien card: 1,600 yen. This is the official fee as regulated by the Immigration Bureau of Japan.
• ID photo cost: About 600-1,000 yen if you take pictures at the popular automatic photo machines (証明写真機 – Shomei Shashinki) in Japan.
• Travel expenses: Depends on the distance from where you live to the police station and Immigration Department.

Important Note: The fee for reissuing a residence card can only be paid in cash or by tax stamps (収入印紙 – Shunyu Inshi) purchased at convenience stores or post offices. Payment by credit card or bank transfer is not accepted.

Time to reissue alien card

Normally, it takes about 1-2 weeks for the Immigration Department to process the application and reissue a new alien registration card. However, the exact time may vary depending on the situation at each local office.

During the waiting period, you will be issued a Certificate of In-Process Alien Registration Card (申請受理証明書 – Shinsei Juri Shomeisho). This serves as a temporary identification document and proves that you are in the process of legally reissuing your card.

When your new alien card is ready, you will receive notification via:

• Postcard sent to registered address
• SMS messages (if you have registered a phone number)
• Email (if you have registered an email address)

Important notes when losing your alien registration card in Japan

When faced with a situation of losing your alien registration card in Japan, in addition to carrying out the necessary procedures, you need to pay attention to the following important points:

• Application deadline: You must apply for a replacement card within 14 days of losing your card. Delay may result in a fine or affect your residency status.
• Keep a copy of the card: Before losing your card, if you have a copy or photo of the card, it will be easier to re-apply.
• Do not use the old card if found.: Once you have applied for a new card, the old card will no longer be valid, even if you find it again.
• Always carry identification: While waiting for the card to be reissued, always carry your passport and the certificate of lost card to avoid being fined when checked.

Q&A about lost residence card in Japan

I lost my alien card while abroad, what should I do?

If you lose your residence card while abroad, you need to contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country to report it. After entering the country, you need to report the loss and apply for a new card within 14 days.

Can someone else do the procedures to re-issue a foreigner card?

In principle, you must go directly to the Immigration Department to complete the procedures. However, in some special cases such as serious illness or pregnancy, you can authorize a relative (spouse, children, parents) to do it for you. The authorized person must bring a power of attorney and documents proving their relationship with you.

What should I do if I am being checked while waiting for a new card?
While waiting for your card to be reissued, you should always carry the police report of loss and the appointment letter from the Immigration Department. These documents are temporary and serve as proof that you are in the process.

What if I lose both my alien registration card and passport?
In case of loss of both documents, you need to report to the police to get a certificate of loss, then contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Japan to re-issue your passport first, then re-issue your alien registration card.

Losing your residence card in Japan is an undesirable situation, but if it happens, you should not panic. Taking the initiative to handle it will not only help you avoid legal troubles but also ensure that you maintain your legal residence status in Japan. In addition, you should also be more careful in keeping important documents to avoid similar losses in the future.