Do you know what to do if you lose your residence (Zairyu) card?
This article explains the reporting procedure, required documents, and the deadline for notifying the authorities after losing your residence card — in plain English.
📌 This article is for people who:
- Lost their residence card
- Had their residence card stolen
- Whose residence card was damaged or smudged
- Want to know the procedure just in case
If you lose your residence card, you must notify the authorities within 14 days. Failing to do so may result in a fine of up to ¥200,000.
Act immediately!
What To Do If You Lose Your Residence Card
Report to the police【IMMEDIATELY!】
Go to the nearest police box (koban) or police station and file a lost property report (ishitsu-todoke).
If it was stolen, file a theft report (tonan-todoke) instead.
You will receive a “receipt number (juri-bango)”. You will need this number when you apply for a replacement card.
Prepare the required documents
- ✅ Application form for re-issuance of residence card (available at immigration office or downloadable online)
- ✅ Passport
- ✅ Photo (4cm tall × 3cm wide, taken within the last 3 months)
- ✅ Police report receipt (the receipt number from your lost property report)
- ✅ Documents proving the reason (if any)
Go to the Regional Immigration Bureau【Within 14 days】
Visit the Regional Immigration Services Bureau that covers your area of residence and submit your re-issuance application.
Fee: FREE (¥0)
Receive your new residence card
Your new residence card will usually arrive in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Until then, carry the “Notification receipt certificate (todokede-juri-shomeisho)” you received at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Help Desks When You Need Advice
| Service | Phone | Languages |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Residents Comprehensive Info Center | 0570-013904 | Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and more |
| Yorisoi Hotline | 0120-279-338 | Multiple languages (free) |
| Police (emergency) | 110 | Japanese (interpreter service available) |
Summary
📝 Key Points of This Article
- If you lose your residence card, report it to the police immediately (lost-property or theft report)
- Apply for a replacement at Immigration within 14 days
- Replacement is FREE (¥0)
- Failure to report may result in a fine of up to ¥200,000
- Until the new card arrives, carry the notification receipt certificate
※ Information in this article is as of April 2026. Please check the Immigration Services Agency official website for the latest information.
※ Information about residence status is a general guide. For individual situations, please consult your local Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
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