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Japan changes its immigration policy

By on September 1, 2011
Photo © Elena Derevtsova
 
Effective July 2012, the Ministry of Justice will implement an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act with the following key changes:

1. RESIDENCE CARD (ZAIRYU CARD)
The Ministry of Justice will abolish the issuance of Alien Registration Certificate (ACR) and will put in place a new registry system for  foreign nationals residing legally in Japan. Under the new system, foreigners in Japan for a medium to long term  will be issued the new Residence Card.

These cards will replace the ACR and the status of residence stamped in passports of foreign residents. As a counter measure against forgery and alteration, the cards are equipped with a chip that stores the cardholder’s information such as name, status of residence and term of stay, etc.

WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE?
    Foreign nationals currently holding Permanent Residence status
    Foreign nationals who are married to, or dependents of Japanese citizens having Spouse or Child of Japanese National  or  Long-Term resident status
    Foreign nationals issued with a “College Student” status
    Foreign nationals issued with a working visa in various professional classification like Engineer, Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Research, Business Management, Designated Activities, etc.

WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE CHANGE?
    Foreign nationals whose permission to stay in Japan is for 3 months or less or have been issued Temporary Visitor status
      Foreign nationals having Diplomat or Official status of residence
    Foreign nationals deemed equivalent to above statuses by Japan’s Ministry of Justice
    Special Permanent Residents
    Persons with no status of residence

2. EXTENSION OF RESIDENCE TERM
People holding a Japanese visa having a valid term of 3 years will now be extended to 5 years.  Foreigners married to Japanese nationals with a Spouse or Child or Japanese National status with either 1 year or 3 years term may now extend period to 5 years.

3. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL RE-ENTRY PERMISSION
Foreign nationals affected by the change are no longer required to apply for a re-entry permit if the date of their return to Japan is made within a year.  

However, if one decides or fails to come back to Japan after 1 year,  the special re-entry permission can not be extended abroad resulting in the loss of the status of residence. Under the new system, one has to return to Japan within 1 year.

People whose re-entry permit was issued before the change may still use it and extend validity term from 3 to 5 years.

All foreign residents are required by law to report or notify the authorities of  changes related to their immigration status.  Failure to do so can result in penalties including fines up to ¥200,000, revocation of visa, or deportation.

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