The Alien Registration System will be changing. It is going to take at least 3 years to implement, but it might pay to take a look at what is going to happen now!
The major changes are as follows:
1. The current Alien Registration Card will be replaced by a new Residence Card, called a Zairyu card.
2. The maximum period of stay on your status of entry will be extended from 3 to 5 years
3. The Re-entry Permit will no longer be required (as long as you are not leaving Japan for longer than 12-months)
FURTHER DETAILS
Residence Card
The current Alien Registration Card will be abolished, and a new Residence Card system will be implemented by the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice. The Residence Card will be issued by Regional Immigration Offices and Immigration Inspection office at the airport (ie not your local ward office / city or town office as before). The contents of the new card will be similar to the current Alien Registration Card including information such as name, nationality, address, type ofimmigration status, date of expiry, place of work, work restrictions and a photograph, but an IC chip will be added to the new card as extra "card security" (so your card can't be forged).
If there is a change to any one of the items listed on the card, it must be reported within 14 days to the regional immigration office. Changes in home address must also be reported within 14 days to the local government office.
The local authority will maintain residence information using the same system as is currently in place for Japanese nationals.
Duration of Stay and Re-Entry Permit
This is the big benefit to foreigners of the new system. The maximum period of stay will be extended from 3 years to 5 years, and accordingly, the maximum valid period for a Re-Entry Permit will also be extended to 5 years. However, a Re-Entry Permit will only be required if a foreign resident travels away from Japan for a period exceeding one year.
Enforcement of Penalties
Although penalties already exist in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the penaltiesavailable under this Act are not really enforced currently. Under the revised immigration laws, further penalties are included and expected to be enforced.
The three main categories of penalties and the reasons for imposing them are as follows:
a. Revocation of Status of Residence
- False or fraudulent application for status of residence
- Failure to report a change of marital status within six months
- Failure to report a new home address within 90 days or reporting a falsified address.
b. Deportation
- Posession of a forged Residence Card
- Illegal employment
- Imprisonment due to forged documents or breach of duties with respect to the Zairyu Card
c. Imprisonment or Fines
- Failure to report information as required by law; subject to imprisonment up to 1-year or a fine up to JPY 200,000
- Failure to report a new address within 14 days; subject to a fine up to JPY 200,000
- Encouraging illegal employment; subject to imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to JPY 3,000,000
Get ready for a crackdown in a few years time!
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