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AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject: Identity Card Expiring....

Another bizarre question, thats just occured before my return to Japan.

I note that my ID card is going to expire on Apr 28th

Now...assuming I don't get back before 28th:

Q1) Would I really need to show this at customs?(I cant remember doing it before)
Q) What if I said something like "Ahem...my ID card is still in my house in Tokyo" ?

Smile

thanks again.

One day I will do things properly and avoid all these minefields. Honest. Wink

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I presume you mean your alien registration card?

Ask the ward office if they can renew it before you leave. Isn't there an expiration date on it anyway, like one month before your birthday?

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Identity Card Expiring....

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You do have to put your gaijin card number on the embarkation card- if you left on a re-entry permit though, you should have half of this card in your passport right now- is there nothing stapled in there?

I usually hand over my card at Immigration coming back in as a matter of course but I can remember being asked for it when I have forgotten to do so.

Are you sure April 28th is the final date for you to renew your card? Mine says to "renew within 30 days of" my birthday, and they actually mean up to 30 days after- was your birthday at the end of March or is it April 28th? If it's the 28th then you have almost until the end of May.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject:

Aspara, spot on!

It does say renew within 30 days of 2008/04/28, the 28th of April indeed being my birthday.

Thank you so much for posting. I know it sounds stupid but you have taken a hell of a lot of pressure off me.

I owe you a drink or 2 or 10.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glad to help! Cool

stevenbhow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 58

I renewed mine about three weeks ago. I'm not sure if it was because my visa status changed, but the ward office confinscated my card. They said they needed to verify some things with immigration before they could issue me a new one. They gave me a peice of paper stating that my alien card was being renewed. This might be something you want to think about if you renew your card. Make sure you have that peice of paper with you just in case someone does ask you for your card.