Job Discussion Forums

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

hi,

soon I have to renew my card. I know I need to bring a couple photos and my passport, but is there anything else?
I have moved and changed my job over the last four years, but that information is written on the back of the card.

thanks.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I just renewed mine a couple months ago. You are right. You need your passport, and a couple of ID sized pics you can get from the photo machines all over the place for about 600 yen. (not the best quality but acceptable) And of course you will need your old registraton card. When you are there you will just fill out a form, show your passport and registration card.

They put a stamp on the back of my old one and returned it to me with a letter in English telling me when I have to pick up my new card. Usually it is in about two weeks.

You have to pick it up within the time period they tell you in the letter.

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

My city office sent me a letter in English and Japanese telling me what I needed to bring. I can't find the letter but it was 2 photos 45cmx35cm, old gaijin card, passport and my hanko. Had to come back two weeks later to pick up the card. This time they kept the old card, whereas when I renewed before I could keep the old card. This time it is valid for 7 years, before only 5.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

hanko. Yeah, that is the sort of thing I could have forgetten to bring.

I have read lately that the cards will be changed to prevent forgeries,
and that the changes have been in effect for cards issued since June 1st.

I read that many forged alien cards and driver`s licenses were seized in Aichi.

I wonder how the new cards will be different.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

read this:

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=2&id=339632&display=all

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

well I didn`t need my hanko.
The guy wanted to see my old passport as well,　but the fact that I only had my passport which I got a couple months ago was ok.
I changed my visa status from a work visa to a spouse one last fall, and he talked to my wife about that for a bit.
I think on the new card it will read in Japanese that I have a Japanese spouse.

Cool thing is, my wife can go to city hall and pick up the new alien card for me, since I work every day except Sunday.