For foreigners staying in Japan, status of residence and period of stay are determined at the time of entering the country. This determines the length of stay in Japan as well as the area of permitted activities. A landing permission stamp is marked in the passport. The period of residency starts on the day following entry.
（1） Types of Procedure
You have to get permission from an immigration office in the following cases.
1.Changing Status
●Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted by Status of Residence Previously Granted
Permission is required when a foreign national wishes to engage in an activity, such as a part time job for which the person gets financial reward, other than that permitted under his/her status of residence.
●Permission to Change Status of Residence
Permission is required when a foreign national wishes to cease the activity stated in his/her status of residence and engage in an altogether new activity which falls under a different status of residence, for example entering a school or company, or getting married.
2.Extending Stay
●Permission to Extend Period of Stay
Permission is required when a foreign national wishes to remain in Japan, under the same status of residence, beyond the granted period of stay. Applications for extending the period of stay can be made up to one month prior to the expiry date.
※Visa extentions can take much longer in Maizuru than in major cities, as they are often sent to Osaka for processing. Be sure to apply well in advance if you have an overseas trip planned.
3.Re-entering
●Re-entry Permission
If you wish to leave Japan temporarily during your period of stay, such as for a vacation, it is necessary to obtain a Re-entry Permit prior to departure from Japan.
IMPORTANT : If a Re-entry Permit is not obtained prior to departure, it will invalidate the remaining period of your visa and you will have to apply for a new visa before returning to Japan. Re-entry Permits are valid until the expiry date of the visa, up to a maximum of 3 years (or 4 years for special permanent residence). Re-entry Permit applications can be made at any time during the period of stay.
4.Other Procedures
●Permission to Acquire Status of Residence
Permission is required when a foreign national who was born in Japan or who has renounced Japanese nationality wishes to continue to stay in Japan.
●Permission for Permanent Residence
This permission is required when a foreign national wishes to change his/her status of residence from temporary to permanent or to acquire permanent resident status. Certain conditions have to be met in order to apply for Permanent Residence.
（2） Status of Residence Categories 1.Categories of Foreign Nationals Who are Permitted to Work in Japan
Diplomats, government officials, professors, artists, journalists, investors/business administrators, researchers, educators, engineers, specialists in the humanities and international services, company transferees, entertainers, skilled labourers and people engaging in legal/accounting services, religious activities, and medical services.
2.Categories of Foreign Nationals Who are Not Permitted to Work in Japan (some working may be permitted by acquiring Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted)
Cultural activists, temporary visitors, students, trainees, dependents.
3.Categories of Foreign Nationals Whose Eligibility to Work is Determined by the Type of Visa
Designated activities (For example Working Holiday Visa)
4.Status of Foreign Nationals who are Eligible for All Activities
Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese, spouses of permanent residents, children of residents under Law no. 126 of 1952, long term residents.
◆ Immigration Information
・Maizuru Branch, Osaka Immigration Office
2F the Joint Government Port Office (Maizuru Kowan Godo Chosha), 901 Shimo-Fukui, Maizuru
TEL 75-1149
・Osaka Immigration Information Center
TEL 06-6774-3409 (or 3410) 9:00~12:00 13:00~16:00
Under the Alien Registration Act, the following foreign nationals must register at the local government office.
●Newly entered foreign nationals who intend to stay in Japan for 90 days or longer
●Foreign nationals who were born in Japan
●Foreign nationals who have lost Japanese nationality
（1） Initial Registration 1.Foreign Nationals Who are 16 Years or Older
You must register within 90 days of the day your entrance to Japan was permitted, or within 60 days of the day you lost your Japanese nationality.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Application Form for Certificate of Alien Registration
(to be found at the City Office)
・Passport (if available)
・Two passport photos (4.5×3.5cm), taken within 6 months of the date of application.
※ For foreign nationals who are less than 16 years old, his/her parent or guardian must complete the application procedure on their behalf. They get their own card after their parents apply. When he/she turns 16, the person himself/herself must apply with all the necessary documents within 30 days of his/her birthday.
2.New-born Infants
New-born infants must be registered within 60 days of his/her birth.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Birth certificate
・Passport (if available)
※ The Certificate of Alien Registration is issued after application. It is issued on the same day, except in the case of application for the special permanent residence status.
Foreign nationals who are 16 years or older must carry their Alien Registration Card at all times.
（2） Re-application (confirmation) for Certificate of Alien Registration
Foreign nationals who are 16 years or older must reapply or confirm the facts mentioned on the certificate within 30 days after the fifth birthday following the date of issue or the last verification. Permanent residents or special permanent residents must do so after the seventh birthday following the date of issue or the last verification.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Application Form for Confirmation of Registration
・Certificate of Alien Registration
・Passport
・Two photos
（3） Re-issuance of Damaged Certificates
If the Certificate of Alien Registration becomes damaged, apply for a new Certificate at the City Office.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Same as above
（4） Re- issuance of Lost or Stolen Certificates
If the Certificate is lost or stolen, the incident must be reported to the police. This registration must be conducted within 14 days of the day of loss or theft.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Application Form for Issuance of the Certificate of Alien Registration
・Passport
・Two photos
・letter of reason
・letter attesting to the loss or theft (if it is necessary for the City Office)
（5） Report of Change in Registered Matters
A change in your name, nationality, occupation, address, or period of stay must be reported within 14 days of the day the change occurred.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Application Form
・Certificate of Alien Registration
・At least one authorized item as a proof of the change
◆ Information
・The City Office, Residential Affairs Division (Shimin-ka)
TEL 66-1002
・West Branch Office, Residential-annuitant Section (Nishi-shisho Shimin-Nenkin-kakari)
TEL 77-2252
・Kasa Branch Office (Kasa-bunshitsu)
TEL 83-0014
（1） Notice of Birth
When an infant is born, you must submit a Report of Birth to the City Office within 14 days of the birth. This Registration may be necessary for the child to acquire the nationality from its country of nationality.
If the parent(s) intend to stay in Japan for 60 days or longer after the birth of the child, they must acquire Status of Residence for the child within 30 days of its birth, and register it as an alien within 60days of the birth.
If the mother and father have different nationalities, the birth must be reported to both countries
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Certificate of birth issued by the hospital
・Mother and Child Health Handbook (boshi kenko techo)
・Your personal seal (inkan), if you have one.
（2） Notice of Death
Death must be reported to the City Office by the deceased's family within 7 days of the death. It must be accompanied with a death certificate made by the attending doctor.
The Certificate of Alien Registration of the deceased has to be returned to the City Office within 14 days of the death.
If cremation or burial is to be conducted in his/her country of nationality or other country, ask the embassy or consulate. If cremation or burial is to be conducted within Japan, ask the City Office for permission.
（3） Notice of Marriage
Conditions under which marriage status is established vary according to nations. In case of international marriage, the husband and wife must meet the conditions laid by both his/her countries.
To acquire marriage status within Japan, you must submit a Notice of Marriage to the City Office in the place of your residence, and have it screened and accepted.
◆ Information
・The City Office, Residential Affairs Division (Shimin-ka)
TEL 66-1002
・West Branch Office, Residential-annuitant Section (Nishi-shisho Shimin-Nenkin-kakari)
TEL 77-2252
・Kasa Branch Office (Kasa-bunshitsu)
TEL 83-0014
Personal seals are used in Japan in much the same way as signatures are used in other countries. There are two types of seals. The first type is called the "official seal" (jitsuin), which is actually registered at the local municipal office and is usually only used for very important legal procedures like registering real estate property with the government. The second type of seal is the "private seal" (mitomein). This type of seal is for daily matters and is commonly used for things such as opening savings accounts, recording monetary transactions, registering a marriage notice, and acknowledging the receipt of special mail or deliveries.
（1） Buying Seals
Seals are made of various materials and can be purchased at a seal shop (hankoya). An official seal made of an inexpensive material will cost you approximately ￥3,000.
（2） Seal Registration
When you make a large purchase such as a car or real estate, or when you transfer the ownership rights to a telephone line, you are required to use the "official seal" (jitsuin) which is actually registered at the City Office.
1.Registrable seal
A registerable seal must have a diameter of more than 8 mm and less than 25 mm. The real name or the registered popular name is to be carved.
※ Rubber stamps, misshapen or damaged seal are not registrable.
2.Eligibility for seal registration
Persons over 15 years who have filed his/her Alien Registration in Maizuru may register a seal.
3.Application Procedure
● Application by the owner
If the owner of the seal makes the application in person, he/she can receive the seal registration card and the seal registration certificate on the day of application.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Certificate of Alien Registration or driver's licence
・Registrable seal
● Application by the representative
If the representative of the owner makes the application in person, the owner can receive the seal registration card and the seal registration certificate later.
＜Necessary Documents＞
・Registrable seal
・Representative's personal seal
※ When you apply to register a seal, there is a ￥200 charge.
（3） If You Have Lost Your Seal or Seal Registration Card or When You No Longer Need the Card
If you have lost your seal or seal registration card or when you no longer need the card, you must fill out and submit an application to invalidate a registered seal at the City Office.
The card is only valid while you are living in Maizuru. Please return your seal registration card to the City Office or dispose of it yourself. It is not necessary to apply to invalidate a registered seal.
（4） Certificate of Seal Registration
If your seal has already been registered, bring the seal registration card to the City Office, and a certificate will be issued to you. There is a ￥200 charge per copy.
◆ Information
・The City Office, Residential Affairs Division (Shimin-ka)
TEL 66-1001
・West Branch Office, Residential-annuitant Section (Nishi-shisho Shimin-Nenkin-kakari)
TEL 77-2252
・Kasa Branch Office (Kasa-bunshitsu)
TEL 83-0014
