How to Get a Re-Entry Permit in Japan

In order to get a Re-Entry Permit （再入国許可-さいにゅうこくきょか-Sainyukokukyoka）you need the following:

1. Foreigner Registration Card (外国人登録証-がいこくじんとうろくしょう, GaikokujinTourokuSho)
2. Filled out Application for Re-Entry (Ministry of Justice Official Form)
3. Your Actual Passport (Copies Don’t Work)
4. ¥3,000 for a Single Re-Entry, or ¥6,000 for Multiple Entry (Roughly $30USD or $60USD)

Basic Information:

For those who don’t live in Japan, all non-Japanese people who are staying in the country for more than 3 months (this is usually people without tourist visas, so Working Holiday, Work Visas, Student Visas, etc.) have to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, to say where they are and what they’re supposed to be doing with their visa. This is totally different than the Immigration Process at the Airport.

After a few weeks of registering at a City Hall nearest to your residence, you get an ID card called a Gaikokujin Touroku-sho (外国人登録証) or “Foreigner Registration Card”.

All Non-Japanese People have to give back their Foreigner Registration Card when leaving the country, usually at Immigration, they take it back which then (I assume) it notifies the MOFA that you’ve left and you’re no longer a registered Foreigner.

For people who have to leave the country and come back under the same visa, people having to visit home, going on a small trip to another asian country, etc… people need to let the Immigration Bureau know about their trip and gain permission to come back into the country without all the hassle of re-registering as a foreigner.

Now since that’s clear, this guide is especially for Non-Japanese in the Nagoya, Aichi Area, but I’m sure can be applied to which ever closest Immigration Bureau is to your area. (入国管理間、にゅうこくかんりかん, Nyukoku Kanri Kan）

Getting to the Immigration Bureau:

Nagoya’s Immigration Bureau recently relocated near the stop Nagoya Keiba-jo Mae (名古屋競馬所前）on the Aonami Line（あおなみ線). The Aonami Line starts at Nagoya Station (名駅 or 名古屋駅) and you can enter near the JR Shinkansen (新幹線) Side of the station (Bic Camera Side).

Nagoya Keiba-jo Mae (名古屋競馬所前) is the 6th stop on the Aonami Line- about 13 minutes away from Nagoya Station. Word of caution: 260 Yen, Aonami Line only runs every 15 minutes, and Subway Passes aren’t valid, so schedule accordingly with the Aonami Line Nagoya Departure Timetable (Japanese).

After Arriving at Nagoya Keibajo Mae Station:

Here’s a map from the Nagoya International Center that I kinda updated:

The original map had the Immigration Bureau right next door to the station, but its actually the next building over.

Here’s the Station:

At the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau:

So 60m after taking a left at the train station, going past a large red Amusement/Internet Cafe on your left hand side you’ll see this large building:

When you arrive, head to the 2nd floor’s Application Counter (申請窓口-しんせいまどぐち-ShinseiMadoGuchi) is located. It looks like this:

[Note: Depending on how many people are there, you might want to fill out your paperwork before getting a number if there aren't many people.]

You just go to machine that prints out a processing number (受付番号-うけつけばんごう-Uketsuke Bangou), the ticket looks like this:

After taking a number in queue, fill out the Re-Entry Applciation Form: (It’s in English, Portugese and Korean, no worries)

These forms are located right next to the machine that prints out the processing tickets. Make sure you know:

1. Your Visa Type, Period of Validity (Start to Expiration, the info you need is on the the Small Orange Sticker they put in your Visa Section in your passport.)
2. Your Itinerary/Schedule: When you’re planning on leaving and coming back, and which places you’re planning on taking off from and re-entering. (Even though it says “Airport” in English, if you’re coming by ferry [like Joel and I] then just write which port you’re coming in on.)
3. Passport Information: Number, Period of Validity, etc.

Paying for Processing: Stamp Buying at Lawsons (I know I thought it was weird too)

You usually don’t pay the counter, but have to buy a stamp the shows proof that you paid the government. This is needed for the Certificate for Payment (手数料納付書-てすうりょうのうふしょ-Tesuuryou Noufushou). You go across the hall to a Lawson’s Convience Store and there’s a small window that says Revenue Stamp (収入印紙-しゅうにゅういんし-Shuunyuu Inshi) to the immediate left and a small counter in the wall. There you ask for the stamp equal to which re-entry permit you’re applying for. (If you only need a Single Re-Entry then ask for the ¥3,000 (Sanzen-en no Inshi), or for Multiple Entry ¥6,000 (Rokusen-en no Inshi))

Now just to wait and submit what you have.

By now you should have the following done:

1. Have a Counter Processing Number
2. Completed the Re-Entry Permit Applciation (Filled out)
3. Completed the Certificate of Payment (Filled out with Stamp)

As soon as you got all this, all you do is wait for your number to be called to submit, and before you know it….

Re-Entry Permission SUCCESS!! Whoot.

If there’s anything wrong with this guide, let me know in the comments and I’ll update accordingly. I just figured that some people are a bit shy, and I found a few things a bit confusing, but hopefully it comes in handy to all.

The Adventurists Mongol Rally 2008 starts in just 7 days! I’m glad that Joel and I got our Re-Entry Permits in Japan under our Work Visas. Now to scramble for our Russian Visas. (Joel’s Invitation came yesterday, Mine should hopefully be coming on Monday).

Thanks to Japan Car Exports Limited for helping me with the pictures.

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