Procedures at the City Office
Table of Contents
Resident registration
Procedures after entering Japan
Foreign nationals who intend to stay in Japan for 3 months longer must register their residence in Japan at the city/ward office of your residence within 14 days after their address is fixed.
If you have already obtained a resident card at the airport upon entering Japan, bring your passport and resident card to the city/ward office and submit a moving-in notification.
If you have not yet had a resident card issued, bring your passport and submit a moving-in notification. Your resident card will be mailed to the registered address within 2 to 3 weeks of its submission.
[Note] Failure to register as a resident within 14 days of fixing your place of residence may result in a fine of up to 200,000 yen. In addition, failure to register your new address in Japan within 90 days of your entry into Japan without a valid reason may result in revocation of your resident status. (Reference: Immigration Services Agency Website)
Procedures when Moving-in/out
When moving within the same city
Submit a “change of address notification” at the city office and have your new address added to your residence card.
- What to bring with you: residence card
- Where to go: the municipal office or branch office of your city of residence
When moving to a different city
- Before moving out, go to the city office, submit a "moving-out notification," and have a "moving-out certificate" issued.
- Bring your "residence card" and "moving-out certificate" to the city office of your new residence within 14 days of moving in and submit a "moving-in notification." Have your new address added to your residence card.
- What to bring with you: residence card, “moving-out certificate”
- Where to go: the municipal office or branch office of your city of residence
Guide to Living in Japan for Foreigners
*Videos on the University of Osaka Co-op "My Room" website:
Languages available:
・ English subtitle
・ Chinese subtitle
・ Korean subtitle
・ Vietnamese subtitle
National Health Insurance
This is a nationwide medical insurance system designed to reduce the burden of medical expenses on individuals.
Foreign nationals staying in Japan for more than 3 months who are not covered by social insurance or other insurance at their workplace (including accompanying family members) must enroll in the National Health Insurance.
If you enroll in this insurance, the amount you pay for medical expenses incurred when receiving treatment at a hospital will be 30% of the total medical expenses.
When you go to the hospital, make sure to carry with you your Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate or My Number Card as your health insurance certificate. Also, keep your health insurance certificate in a safe place so as not to lose it.
Enrollment Procedures
You can apply for the insurance at the National Health Insurance section of the city hall of your residence.
Please show your residence card when applying.
Please make sure to enroll in the National Health Insurance at the same time as registering as a resident.
Insurance premiums
The insurance premium is calculated annually based on your income in Japan for the previous year. The annual premium is spread over 10 monthly payments from June to March of the following year. You can pay by direct debit from a bank account or a Japan Post Bank account (application required) or by taking the payment slip to a bank, post office, municipal office, convenience store, etc. You can also apply for a reduction in your insurance premium if your income for the previous year was below the standard amount. For details, please inquire at the counter.
Change of Address
When moving to a different city, town, or village, you must notify the National Health Insurance counter at the city office of your new address before moving out. After moving in, be sure to notify the municipal office of your new address within two weeks.
Settlement before leaving Japan
When you leave Japan for your country of origin, you must withdraw from the National Health Insurance. Once you have decided on your return date, bring your insurance card, airline ticket, and other documents indicating your scheduled departure date to the municipal office in your area of residence to settle any excess or deficiency in insurance premiums. The expiration date of your insurance card will then be corrected to the scheduled date of your departure.
*Please note that the information contained here is subject to change without notice.
My Number System
My Number is a 12-digit number assigned to all individuals with a resident registration in Japan. It is used to efficiently manage information in the fields of social security, taxation, and disaster prevention, and to verify that personal information held by multiple institutions pertains to the same individual. International students who have completed resident registration are eligible to receive My Number.
After completing resident registration, an Individual Number Notification Letter containing your My Number will be mailed to your registered address. Please keep this document safe so as not to lose it.
As this is personal information, please handle it with care and take sufficient precautions not to lose it or inadvertently disclose it to others. This number is required for administrative procedures and inquiries, etc.
For instance, you will need it when starting a part-time job or completing various procedures at government offices.
Please keep it safe even after returning to your home country.
<My Number (Individual Number) System | Digital Agency>
https://www.digital.go.jp/en/policies/mynumber
How to Apply for My Number Card
If you wish to apply for a My Number Card, please follow the instructions in the notification letter and apply online or by mail.
<My Number Card Official Webpage>
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en/
Using My Number Card as Health Insurance Certificate
To use your My Number Card as your health insurance certificate, you must register it in advance via MynaPortal, Seven Bank ATMs, etc.
Upon registration, you will receive a “Notice of Eligibility Information.”
＜Information on My Number Health Insurance Cards for Foreign Residents in Japan (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)＞
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_51604.html
National Pension System
All persons residing in Japan aged 20 to 59, including foreign nationals, are required by law to enroll in the National Pension and pay insurance premiums.
For students, exemption systems and the “Special Payment System for Students,” which allows for a deferral of premium payments while enrolled in education, are available upon application.
Students aged 20 or older with low income who find it difficult to pay insurance premiums should consult with their local city hall.
< National Pension Contribution Special Payment System for Students | Japan Pension Service>
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/faq/kokunen/nonjapanesepeople/student.html