COLUMN｜2026-10-06

Carrying your residence card has long been required

The penalty for failure to carry a residence card was not newly introduced on 1 October.

Mid- to long-term residents aged 16 or over, including permanent residents, have an existing duty to carry their residence card. Failure to carry it may be punished by a fine of up to ¥200,000.

Aligned with Japanese text｜Checked 6 October 2026

Permanent residents also need to carry their card

Permanent residence has no period-of-stay renewal, but the duty to carry the card still applies (Immigration Control Act, Article 23 paragraphs 2 and 4, and Article 75-3). Children under 16 are exempt from the constant carrying duty. Special permanent resident certificates have no constant carrying duty; this is a separate status.

Publication and commencement are different dates

The guidelines published in October 2026 explain new grounds for revoking permanent resident status. The Immigration Services Agency states that the relevant amendments take effect on 1 April 2027. Publication of the guidelines does not mark the introduction of the existing fine for not carrying a card.

A fine and revocation are separate matters

The existing fine is a criminal penalty. The new revocation guidelines consider individual circumstances and ties to Japan. Examples include repeatedly ignoring instructions to carry or present the card or renew it when required, with no intention to comply. It is inaccurate to say that forgetting the card once automatically means a ¥200,000 fine or automatic loss of permanent residence.

Check the original card before going out

Keep the original in your everyday wallet or card holder. A photo or copy does not replace carrying the original. Carrying a passport does not remove the duty to carry the residence card. If it is lost, promptly check the reissuance procedure.