Moving to Japan involves a dense sequence of administrative tasks — many of which must be completed in a specific order. Missing a step or doing them out of sequence (registering a phone before you have a residence card, applying for a bank account before My Number arrives) leads to delays and repeated trips. This checklist follows the correct order for most foreign residents arriving on a work, spouse, or general visa. Visa-specific steps are noted where they differ.
Contents
Before Leaving Your Home Country
- Obtain your visa — apply at the Japanese consulate or embassy in your country with your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) provided by your sponsor/employer. Processing takes 5–10 business days once documents are complete. (R3 note: visa and COE procedures depend on visa category — confirm with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an immigration lawyer for your specific situation.)
- Arrange housing before arrival — many landlords require a Japanese guarantor and a Japanese bank account (a Catch-22 for new arrivals). Use your employer’s housing, a serviced apartment, a monthly mansion (マンスリーマンション), or a share house for the first 1–3 months while you establish documentation.
- Sort health coverage gap — Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) starts from city hall registration. If you arrive mid-month, there may be a brief gap. Travel insurance or short-term coverage from your home country can fill this.
- Prepare documents — bring: passport, residence card (issued at airport), original certificates (marriage, birth if relevant), employment contract or admission letter, 2–4 passport photos, and a small amount of Japanese yen cash for immediate expenses.
- Unlock your phone — if your current phone is carrier-locked, unlock it before leaving. Japan’s SIM cards will not work in locked phones.
Day 1: Airport Arrival
- Collect your Residence Card (在留カード) — issued at immigration on arrival at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Nagoya, and New Chitose airports. Keep this card safe — it is your primary ID in Japan. Report loss immediately to immigration.
- Get a tourist SIM or pocket WiFi — available at the airport arrivals hall. You need internet immediately for navigation. This is a temporary solution until you have a residence card for a resident SIM.
- Withdraw cash — 7-Eleven and Japan Post Bank ATMs at airports accept international cards and have English interfaces. Have ¥30,000–50,000 for the first week (transport, deposits, meals).
- Travel to your accommodation — know your address before you land. If using a share house or serviced apartment, confirm check-in procedures in advance.
Week 1: City Hall and Registration
You must complete address registration within 14 days of arrival. These steps unlock almost everything else — your My Number, your bank account, your phone plan, and your health insurance all depend on having a registered address.
- Register your address (転入届) — at your local city or ward hall (shiyakusho / kuyakusho). Bring your passport and residence card. You receive a juminhyo (resident registration certificate). This usually takes 30–60 minutes.
- Apply for My Number (マイナンバー) — automatically assigned and mailed to your registered address within 2–3 weeks. You cannot speed up delivery, but you can apply for a My Number Card (optional physical card) at the same time.
- Enroll in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) — done at city hall at the same time as address registration. Required unless your employer provides shakai hoken (social insurance). Premiums are income-based; new arrivals pay a nominal minimum until the first assessment.
- Register for National Pension (国民年金) — if not covered by employer’s social insurance, register at city hall. Students on scholarship or certain visa types may be exempt — ask at city hall.
- Get your hanko (inkan) — a personal seal used in some administrative documents. A basic one costs ¥100–300 at a 100-yen store or convenience store. Required at some banks and for some contracts.
Month 1: Essential Services
- Open a bank account — Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank accept new residents immediately. Major banks (Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui) typically require 6 months of residence and are harder for new arrivals. See our bank account guide for full comparison. Bring: residence card, passport, My Number (or notification letter), and hanko if required.
- Get a resident SIM card — once you have your residence card and a Japanese address. Rakuten Mobile and MVNO plans (IIJmio, HIS Mobile) are the most foreign-resident-friendly. See our SIM card guide for full comparison.
- Set up utilities — electricity, gas, and water. Instructions are typically included with your lease. Most have online or phone registration in Japanese; some providers have English support lines. NHK subscription notice will arrive — payment is legally required if you have a TV.
- Get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) — for train and bus travel, and for paying at convenience stores and many restaurants. Available at any major train station.
- Sort health insurance card — the NHI card (hoken-sho) is mailed 2–4 weeks after enrollment. Until it arrives, you pay full cost at clinics but can apply for reimbursement later.
Month 3: Financial Setup
- Apply for a credit card — most foreign residents cannot get a Japanese credit card in the first 3–6 months due to lack of credit history. Rakuten Card and AEON Card are among the most accessible for newer residents. A debit card from your bank works for online shopping in the interim.
- File income tax if needed — if you started work mid-year or have multiple income sources, you may need to file a kakutei shinkoku (tax return) in February–March the following year. Salaried employees at regular companies typically have tax withheld automatically.
- Register your vehicle if applicable — if bringing or buying a car, register within 15 days at the local transport office. International driving permits (from most countries) are valid for one year; after that you need a Japanese license.
- Consider NISA account — Japan’s tax-exempt investment account. Available after you have a Japanese bank account and established residency. Foreign nationals on most visa types are eligible.
Ongoing Obligations
- Renew your residence card before expiry — check the expiry date on your card. Apply at the nearest immigration office 3 months before expiry. Overstaying is a serious legal issue.
- Notify city hall of any address change — within 14 days of moving. Also update your residence card address at the immigration office within 14 days of moving.
- Maintain continuous National Pension payments — gaps in payment affect future pension eligibility. If returning to your home country, you may be able to claim a lump-sum withdrawal of your pension contributions.
- Annual tax filing (if required) — salaried workers at registered companies typically do not file separately. Freelancers, part-time workers with multiple employers, and those with income over ¥20 million must file in February–March.
More Living in Japan Practical Guides
Bank accounts, SIM cards, health insurance, housing, driving, and more — browse the full Living in Japan hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete all the paperwork after arriving in Japan?
The critical first steps — address registration, NHI enrollment, and address update on your residence card — must be done within 14 days and take 1–2 half-days at city hall. The full setup (bank account, phone, My Number card, IC card, utilities) typically takes 4–6 weeks, mostly waiting for cards to arrive by post.
What is the most common mistake new residents make?
Trying to open a bank account before receiving their My Number notification. Most banks now require My Number even for basic accounts. Register your address at city hall on day one, then wait 2–3 weeks for the My Number letter before applying for your main bank account. Use Japan Post Bank or Seven Bank for immediate needs — they are more flexible about timing.
Do I need to speak Japanese for city hall registration?
City halls in areas with large foreign populations often have multilingual counters or staff who can assist in English. In smaller cities and towns, procedures are in Japanese. Bring a translation of key documents and use Google Translate’s camera feature for forms. The paperwork is form-based and largely procedural — most new residents manage with minimal Japanese.
Can I use my foreign driving license in Japan?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) from Geneva Convention countries is valid in Japan for one year from the date of arrival. After that, you must obtain a Japanese driving license. The conversion process (gaikoku menkyo kirikae) requires a written test, often a short practical assessment, and documentation at the Driving License Center. Difficulty varies significantly by country of origin — some countries have reciprocal agreements with Japan that simplify the process.
Is National Health Insurance mandatory?
Yes. All residents of Japan are legally required to be enrolled in either the national health insurance (NHI) system or employer-provided health insurance (shakai hoken). NHI enrollment happens at city hall when you register your address. If your employer provides shakai hoken, they will handle enrollment — confirm with HR. Gaps in coverage are technically illegal and may result in backdated premium demands.
Sources & Official References
- Immigration Services Agency — Residence Card Registration
- My Number Card Information Site (official)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — National Health Insurance
- Japan Pension Service — International
- National Tax Agency Japan — Tax information for residents
Administrative procedures and requirements change. Verify current requirements with city hall, the Immigration Services Agency, or official ministry websites. This guide provides general orientation, not legal or immigration advice.