# Address change and the 14-day rule for residence card holders

URL: https://japanhow.com/visa/residency/address-change-residence-card-japan/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 27, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, a foreign resident in Japan who moves must report the new address at the city or ward office within 14 days, showing the residence card (在留カード). That counts as the immigration notice, with no fee. Changes to your name, date of birth, sex or nationality go to the regional immigration bureau instead, also within 14 days. Missing the address deadline can bring a fine of up to ¥200,000, and no report within 90 days can lead to revocation of status.

## Key facts

- Address deadline: 14 days after moving
- Where: City or ward office
- Fee: Free
- Maximum fine: ¥200,000

If you move house in Japan, the address change on your residence card (在留カード) must be reported **within 14 days of moving**, at the city or ward office for your new address. As of October 2026 it is **free**, and showing your card there counts as the notice to immigration, so you don't visit an immigration office. This is a duty for every mid- to long-term resident (中長期在留者).

This page covers the immigration side. For the full moving checklist (moving-out notice, My Number card, health insurance, mail), see [moving within Japan](/life/admin/moving-within-japan-address-change/).

## How do I change the address on my residence card?

The Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) says you notify the municipal office for your new residence within 14 days of moving there (Immigration Control Act (入管法), Article 19-9). If you bring the card and make your resident registration notice at the same counter, that counts as the immigration notice. You don't need the separate residence notification form (住居地届出書).

If someone files for you, ISA says you should carry a copy of your residence card.

**Who can file for you:** you file yourself if you are 16 or older. A relative aged 16 or over who lives with you can file if you are under 16 or can't come (for illness, a medical certificate), or at your request with a power of attorney (委任状). Koto City says that if you have no card with you on the day, you must come back later with it.

## Where is the new address written on the card?

On an ordinary residence card, the registered address is written on the **back**, according to Koto City. On the specific residence card (特定在留カード), which has My Number card functions and has been issued since 14 June 2026, Koto City says the address is on the **front**. ISA confirms this card format started on 14 June 2026.

Ota City lists two cases where the back-side entry can't be made as usual:

- **Period of stay or card expired.** The address generally can't be written on the back. The exception is a card with an "application pending" stamp, up to just under two months past the expiry of the period of stay (在留期間).
- **Back is full.** The city attaches a supplementary sticker (補助用紙), but earlier entries can then no longer be read. To keep them visible, you ask the immigration bureau to exchange the card first; Ota lists a ¥1,600 fee. These rules are one city's; others may differ.

If your period of stay is near its end, see the [visa renewal guide](/visa/visas/visa-renewal-japan/).

## Which other changes must I report, and where?

The 14-day deadline applies to several different notices. The address goes to the city office. The others go to immigration.

| What changed | Deadline | Where | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| New address after a move | 14 days from moving | City or ward office | None |
| First address after landing | 14 days from setting it | City or ward office | None |
| Name, date of birth, sex or nationality | 14 days from the change | Immigration bureau for your address | None |
| Employer or contract organization (listed work statuses) | 14 days from the event | Online, bureau counter or by mail | None mentioned |

**Name, date of birth, sex, nationality.** After a name change (for example through marriage) or a nationality change, you apply at the regional immigration bureau (地方出入国在留管理官署) with the form, one photo, proof of the change, your passport and your current card. Proof is a marriage certificate (a family register copy if you married a Japanese national), documents showing the old nationality was given up plus your new passport, or a birth certificate or court judgment. ISA says a new card is normally issued the same day, though not if your passport hasn't yet been corrected. Weekday hours are 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. If you are late, add a written statement of the reasons. Being busy with work or school is not accepted as a reason you can't come.

**Employer or contract organization.** If you hold one of these statuses, you must notify immigration within 14 days when your employer changes its name or address or closes, your contract ends, or you start a new one: Highly Skilled Professional, Researcher, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, Skilled Labor, Entertainer (contract-based) and Specified Skilled Worker. You can file online (register first), at a bureau counter with your card, or by mail with a copy of it. ISA's page doesn't say whether a fee applies.

Article 19-16 of the Act has more 14-day duties. Holders of statuses such as Student, Business Manager, Medical or Intra-company Transferee must report when their school or organization changes name or location, or when they leave it. Holders of Dependent (as a spouse), Spouse of Japanese National (as a spouse) or Spouse of Permanent Resident (as a spouse) must report a divorce or the spouse's death within 14 days. We did not confirm how to file these, so ask the Immigration Services Information Center (外国人在留総合インフォメーションセンター) on 0570-013904.

## What happens if I miss the deadline?

The Act sets these penalties (as of October 2026):

| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Not reporting a new address, or not reporting a name or similar change | Fine of up to ¥200,000 (Art. 71-5) |
| Reporting something false | Up to 1 year in prison (拘禁刑) or a fine of up to ¥200,000 (Art. 71-2) |
| No new address within 90 days of leaving the old one, without a justifiable reason | Status of residence (在留資格) can be revoked (Art. 22-4) |

These are maximums, not what happens in every case. "Can be revoked" means the minister has the power, not that it is automatic.

**Already late?:** Report as soon as you can, and explain why at the counter. If you plan a visa renewal, permanent residency or naturalization application, ask the immigration bureau or a licensed immigration and administrative specialist (行政書士) how a late report affects your case. This page is general information, not individual advice. We found no ISA page confirming a rule change on 1 April 2027 for these notices.

## What if I lose the card while moving?

Losing the card has its own 14-day deadline and a different office. See [what to do if you lose your residence card](/visa/visas/lost-residence-card-japan/).

**More guides:** [moving within Japan](/life/admin/moving-within-japan-address-change/) · [lost residence card](/visa/visas/lost-residence-card-japan/) · [visa renewal](/visa/visas/visa-renewal-japan/) · [My Number card for foreigners](/life/admin/my-number-card-foreigners/)

## Questions people ask

### How do I change the address on my residence card in Japan?

Go to the city or ward office for your new address within 14 days of moving and bring your residence card. Filing the move notice there counts as the notice to immigration, and the new address is written on the card.

### Do I need to go to immigration after I move?

No. For an address change, the city office is the right place and no separate immigration form is needed if you show the card. You go to the immigration bureau only for changes such as name, date of birth, sex or nationality.

### What is the penalty for missing the 14-day address deadline?

The Immigration Control Act sets a fine of up to ¥200,000 for not reporting a new address. Giving a false address can mean up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to ¥200,000.

### Can my status be revoked if I don't report my new address?

It can be. The law allows revocation if you leave your notified address and report no new one within 90 days, without a justifiable reason. Ask a 行政書士 or the immigration bureau about your own case.

### Where is the address written on a residence card?

On an ordinary card it is written on the back by the city office. On the new specific residence card (特定在留カード) introduced on 14 June 2026, one city office says the address appears on the front.

## Sources

- [住居地の変更届出（中長期在留者）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00023.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [住居地の届出（新規上陸後）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00021.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [在留カードの記載事項変更届出（氏名・生年月日・性別・国籍）](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00009.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [所属（契約）機関に関する届出](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri10_00015.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [出入国管理及び難民認定法 (Articles 19-9, 19-10, 19-16, 22-4, 71-2, 71-5)](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319), e-Gov (Digital Agency) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [在留カードとは](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/whatzairyu_00001.html), Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [外国人住民の住民票・届出](https://www.city.koto.lg.jp/060301/kurashi/jumin/gaikoku/gaikokujin.html), Koto City (江東区) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [外国人住民の住居地届出](https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/seikatsu/koseki_j/gaikoku/jusho_tetsuduki/gaikokujinjyuukyochi.html), Ota City (大田区) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)