Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法
The rules for entering and leaving Japan, for how foreign nationals live here under a status of residence (在留資格), for deporting them, and for recognising refugees.
- Text in force since
- Promulgated
- Articles
- 316
- Amendments on the way
- 5
What this law does
- A foreign national in Japan stays under a status of residence (在留資格), unless this Act or another law provides otherwise. Appended Table I lists statuses defined by activity — among them work statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Specified Skilled Worker, and others such as Student, Dependent and Temporary Visitor — with the activities each allows. Appended Table II lists statuses defined by personal standing: Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, and Long-Term Resident. Each status carries a period of stay (在留期間) set by Ministry of Justice Order, which cannot exceed five years except for Diplomat, Official, Permanent Resident and the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional.(Art. 2-2(1), Art. 2-2(2), Art. 2-2(3), Appended Table 1, Appended Table 2) (the provisions it rests on)
Read the full overview
- Until the change takes effect, 31 March 2029 at the latest: A foreign national other than a crew member who wants to land needs a valid passport with a visa, unless an international agreement or a notice by the Japanese government waives the visa, or they hold a re-entry permit or a Japanese refugee travel document. They apply to an immigration inspector at the port of entry and, unless exempt, give fingerprints and a photograph. The inspector checks that the passport and any visa are valid; that the planned activities are genuine and belong to a status — though no one can land as a Permanent Resident or in the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional, and Designated Activities and Long-Term Resident cover only what the Minister of Justice has announced in advance — and, for the statuses in Appended Table I (2) and (4), meet criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets; that the period of stay fits; and that no ground for refusing landing applies. A holder of a re-entry permit or a Japanese refugee travel document is checked only on the passport and the grounds for refusal. The applicant must prove they meet the conditions; someone coming for the first tier of Highly Skilled Professional or for Specified Skilled Worker must prove the activity condition with a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書), which the Minister of Justice may issue in advance on application to anyone other than a Temporary Visitor.(Art. 6(1), Art. 6(2), Art. 6(3), Art. 7(1), Art. 7(1)(ii), Art. 7(2), Art. 7-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From a day still to be set, 31 March 2029 at the latest: A foreign national other than a crew member who wants to land needs a valid passport with a visa, unless an international agreement or a notice by the Japanese government waives the visa, or they hold a re-entry permit or a Japanese refugee travel document. They apply to an immigration inspector at the port of entry and, unless exempt, give fingerprints and a photograph. The inspector checks that the passport and any visa are valid; that the planned activities are genuine and belong to a status — though no one can land as a Permanent Resident or in the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional, and Designated Activities and Long-Term Resident cover only what the Minister of Justice has announced in advance — and, for the statuses in Appended Table I (2) and (4), meet criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets; that the period of stay is within those a Ministry of Justice Order sets; that no ground for refusing landing applies; and, for someone exempt from the visa who comes as a Temporary Visitor, that they have an online authorisation (認証), which the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may give where the information they submit shows a valid passport, genuine activities, a stay within those periods and no ground for refusal — unless they could not obtain one but hold a valid visa, are a guest invited by the head of a national government body, are registered under Article 9(8) as a frequent short-term visitor, or are otherwise excepted by Ministry of Justice Order, and for the first six months from the day this rule comes into force, such visitors whom a Ministry of Justice Order names as unlikely to harm fair immigration control do not need it. A holder of a re-entry permit or a Japanese refugee travel document is checked only on the passport and the grounds for refusal. The applicant must prove they meet the conditions; someone coming for the first tier of Highly Skilled Professional or for Specified Skilled Worker must prove the activity condition with a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書), which the Minister of Justice may issue in advance on application to anyone other than a Temporary Visitor.(Art. 6(1), Art. 6(2), Art. 6(3), Art. 7(1), Art. 7(1)(ii), Art. 7(1)(iii), Art. 7(1)(v), Art. 7(2), Art. 7-2(1), Art. 7-3(1), Suppl. Prov. Art. 3(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A person with an Appended Table I status may not run a business with income or do paid work outside the activities of that status. For the statuses in Tables I (3) and (4) — Cultural Activities, Temporary Visitor, Student, Trainee and Dependent — any business with income or paid work is barred. Small payments a Ministry of Justice Order lists, such as a fee for an occasional lecture, do not count. The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may permit such activity, with conditions, where it does not get in the way of the activities of the person's status. The restriction is written for Appended Table I statuses only.(Art. 19(1), Art. 19(1)(i), Art. 19(1)(ii), Art. 19(2), Appended Table 1) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 31 March 2027: A foreign national may apply to the Minister of Justice to change their status of residence or to extend their period of stay; either is granted only where the documents submitted show reasonable grounds, and a Temporary Visitor can change status only for unavoidable special reasons. A change to the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional is open only to someone who has held the first tier and meets criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets. If no decision has been made when the period of stay runs out, the applicant may stay on until the decision or until two months have passed, whichever comes first — except where the period of stay was 30 days or less. Permanent residence requires good conduct, enough assets or skills to make an independent living, and a finding that it serves Japan's interests. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents need not meet the first two conditions. The independent-living condition can also be waived for recognised refugees, people recognised as eligible for complementary protection, and people whose need for protection the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) or another international body has recognised and who meet requirements a Ministry of Justice Order sets.(Art. 20(2), Art. 20(3), Art. 20-2(1), Art. 20-2(2), Art. 20(6), Art. 21(3), Art. 21(4), Art. 22(2), Art. 61-2-14(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 April 2027: A foreign national may apply to the Minister of Justice to change their status of residence or to extend their period of stay; either is granted only where the documents submitted show reasonable grounds, and a Temporary Visitor can change status only for unavoidable special reasons. A change to the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional is open only to someone who has held the first tier and meets criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets. If no decision has been made when the period of stay runs out, the applicant may stay on until the decision or until two months have passed, whichever comes first — except where the period of stay was 30 days or less. Permanent residence requires good conduct, enough assets or skills to make an independent living, and a finding that it serves Japan's interests, which the Act says includes complying with the duties this Act sets and paying taxes and public charges (公租公課). Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents need not meet the first two conditions. The independent-living condition can also be waived for recognised refugees, people recognised as eligible for complementary protection, and people whose need for protection the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) or another international body has recognised and who meet requirements a Ministry of Justice Order sets.(Art. 20(2), Art. 20(3), Art. 20-2(1), Art. 20-2(2), Art. 20(6), Art. 21(3), Art. 21(4), Art. 22(2), Art. 61-2-14(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Foreign nationals with a status of residence are mid- to long-term residents (中長期在留者) and receive a residence card (在留カード), except those given a period of stay of three months or less, those with Temporary Visitor, Diplomat or Official status, and others a Ministry of Justice Order names. A mid- to long-term resident must report their address through the municipal office within 14 days of settling or moving, report a change of name, date of birth, sex or nationality within 14 days, and carry the card at all times, showing it when immigration officers, police officers, coast guard officers or other designated officials ask. Holders of listed statuses must also report within 14 days a change in the organisation they work or study with, or — for statuses resting on marriage — divorce or the death of their spouse.(Art. 19-3(1), Art. 19-7(1), Art. 19-9(1), Art. 19-10(1), Art. 23(2), Art. 23(3), Art. 19-16(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A foreign national with a status of residence who holds a valid passport — and, if a mid- to long-term resident, a residence card — and who tells the immigration inspector on leaving that they will return is treated as holding a re-entry permit (Special Re-entry Permission, みなし再入国許可). It is valid for one year from departure, or until the period of stay ends if that is sooner, and cannot be extended from abroad. It is not available to those with a period of stay of three months or less or Temporary Visitor status, or to people a Ministry of Justice Order names. A re-entry permit granted on application by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency can be valid for up to five years. A residence card lapses when its holder leaves without a re-entry permit, or leaves with one and does not come back while it is valid.(Art. 26-2(1), Art. 26-2(2), Art. 26-2(3), Art. 26(1), Art. 26(3), Art. 26(5), Art. 19-14(1)(iii), Art. 19-14(1)(iv)) (the provisions it rests on)
Status of residenceLanding examinationWork allowed by statusResidence cardChanging status of residencePermanent residenceDeportationRefugee recognition
Contents
316 1202 622 76 222
- Chapter I General Provisions第一章 総則Articles 1–2-5 · 6
- Chapter II Entry and Landing第二章 入国及び上陸Articles 3–5-2 · 4
- Section 1 Entry of a Foreign National第一節 外国人の入国Article 3
- Section 2 Landing of a Foreign National第二節 外国人の上陸Articles 4–5-2 · 3
- Chapter III Procedures for Landing第三章 上陸の手続Articles 6–18-2 · 18
- Section 1 Examination for Landing第一節 上陸のための審査Articles 6–9-2 · 6
- Section 2 Hearing and Filing of an Objection第二節 口頭審理及び異議の申出Articles 10–12 · 3
- Section 3 Provisional Landing and Other Related Particulars第三節 仮上陸等Articles 13–13-2 · 2
- Section 4 Special Cases of Landing第四節 上陸の特例Articles 14–18-2 · 7
- Chapter IV Residence and Departure第四章 在留及び出国Articles 19–26-3 · 58
- Section 1 Residence第一節 在留Articles 19–19-37 · 41
- Subsection 1 Activities during Residence第一款 在留中の活動Articles 19–19-2 · 2
- Subsection 2 Mid- to Long-Term Residence第二款 中長期の在留Articles 19-3–19-37 · 39
- Section 2 Change or Revocation of the Status of Residence第二節 在留資格の変更及び取消し等Articles 20–22-5 · 8
- Section 3 Conditions for Residence第三節 在留の条件Articles 23–24-3 · 4
- Section 4 Departure第四節 出国Articles 25–26-3 · 5
- Chapter V Procedures for Deportation第五章 退去強制の手続Articles 27–55-2 · 58
- Section 1 Investigation into Violation第一節 違反調査Articles 27–38 · 24
- Section 2 Measures Concerning the Custody of Suspects第二節 容疑者の身柄に関する措置Articles 39–44-9 · 15
- Section 3 Examination, Hearing and Filing of an Objection第三節 審査、口頭審理及び異議の申出Articles 45–49 · 5
- Section 3-2 Special Permission to Stay第三節の二 在留特別許可Article 50
- Section 4 Enforcement of Written Deportation Order第四節 退去強制令書の執行Articles 51–53 · 10
- Section 5 Provisional Release第五節 仮放免Articles 54–55 · 2
- Section 6 Order to Depart第六節 退去の命令Article 55-2
- Chapter V-2 Treatment of Detainees第五章の二 被収容者の処遇Articles 55-3–55-83 · 81
- Section 1 General Provisions第一節 総則Articles 55-3–55-17 · 15
- Section 2 Commencement of Detention第二節 収容の開始Articles 55-18–55-20 · 3
- Section 3 Handling of Money and Goods, etc.第三節 金品の取扱い等Articles 55-21–55-36 · 16
- Section 4 Health, Sanitation and Medical Care第四節 保健衛生及び医療Articles 55-37–55-46 · 10
- Section 5 Maintenance of Discipline and Order第五節 規律及び秩序の維持Articles 55-47–55-54 · 8
- Section 6 External Communication第六節 外部交通Articles 55-55–55-67 · 13
- Section 7 Appeals第七節 不服申立てArticles 55-68–55-81 · 14
- Section 8 Death第八節 死亡Articles 55-82–55-83 · 2
- Chapter V-3 Departure Order第五章の三 出国命令Articles 55-84–55-88 · 5
- Chapter VI Responsibility of the Captain of a Vessel or Aircraft and the Carrier第六章 船舶等の長及び運送業者の責任Articles 56–59 · 5
- Chapter VI-2 Inquiry into Facts第六章の二 事実の調査Article 59-2
- Chapter VII Departure from and Return to Japan of Japanese Nationals第七章 日本人の出国及び帰国Articles 60–61 · 3
- Chapter VII-2 Recognition of Refugee Status and Other Related Particulars第七章の二 難民の認定等Articles 61-2–61-2-18 · 18
- Chapter VIII Supplementary Rules第八章 補則Articles 61-3–69-3 · 25
- Chapter IX Penal Provisions第九章 罰則Articles 70–78 · 34
Amendments
A Japanese law is changed by another law or order that rewrites it — an . This law has 5 amendments on the way — , but . Its amendment history is below. The amendments this site has read the changes of are on this law's amendments page, provision by provision, in Japanese and English.
1 October 2026
in 10 days
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Special Provisions for Applications for Landing by Foreign Nationals Holding Passports Referred to in Article 2, Item (v), (b) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第二条第五号ロの旅券を所持する外国人の上陸申請の特例に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
By 31 March 2027
at the latest, in 6 months
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc. to Respond to Advances in Information and Communications Technology, etc.
情報通信技術の進展等に対応するための刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
On a day set by , no later than 31 March 2027. The exact day is not fixed yet.
1 April 2027
in 6 months
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び外国人の技能実習の適正な実施及び技能実習生の保護に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
By 31 October 2028
at the latest, in 2 years
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Special Provisions for Applications for Landing by Foreign Nationals Holding Passports Referred to in Article 2, Item (v), (b) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第二条第五号ロの旅券を所持する外国人の上陸申請の特例に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
On a day set by , no later than 31 October 2028. The exact day is not fixed yet.
By 31 March 2029
at the latest, in 3 years
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Special Provisions for Applications for Landing by Foreign Nationals Holding Passports Referred to in Article 2, Item (v), (b) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第二条第五号ロの旅券を所持する外国人の上陸申請の特例に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
On a day set by , no later than 31 March 2029. The exact day is not fixed yet.
37 amendments already in force
14 June 2026
The text on this site
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc. to Respond to Advances in Information and Communications Technology, etc.
情報通信技術の進展等に対応するための刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
14 June 2026
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.
出入国管理及び難民認定法等の一部を改正する法律
5 June 2026
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Special Provisions for Applications for Landing by Foreign Nationals Holding Passports Referred to in Article 2, Item (v), (b) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第二条第五号ロの旅券を所持する外国人の上陸申請の特例に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
21 May 2026
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc. to Respond to Advances in Information and Communications Technology, etc.
情報通信技術の進展等に対応するための刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
21 May 2026
Act Partially Amending the Basic Act on the Formation of a Digital Society, etc. to Promote Regulatory Reform for the Formation of a Digital Society
デジタル社会の形成を図るための規制改革を推進するためのデジタル社会形成基本法等の一部を改正する法律
1 September 2025
Act on the Prevention of the Disposal of Stolen Specified Metal Articles, etc.
盗難特定金属製物品の処分の防止等に関する法律
22 July 2025
Act on the Implementation of Agreements Between Japan and Other Contracting States Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation Between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of Other Contracting States
日本国の自衛隊と我が国以外の締約国の軍隊との間における相互のアクセス及び協力の円滑化に関する日本国と我が国以外の締約国との間の協定の実施に関する法律
1 June 2025
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc.
刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
1 June 2025
Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Penal Code, etc. (extract)
刑法等の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う関係法律の整理等に関する法律 抄
23 May 2025
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc. to Respond to Advances in Information and Communications Technology, etc.
情報通信技術の進展等に対応するための刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
15 May 2025
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc.
刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
12 December 2024
Act Partially Amending the Cannabis Control Act and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act
大麻取締法及び麻薬及び向精神薬取締法の一部を改正する法律
21 June 2024
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び外国人の技能実習の適正な実施及び技能実習生の保護に関する法律の一部を改正する法律
21 June 2024
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.
出入国管理及び難民認定法等の一部を改正する法律
10 June 2024
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する法律
1 April 2024
Act on Support for Women Facing Difficult Problems
困難な問題を抱える女性への支援に関する法律
1 April 2024
Act Partially Amending the Basic Act on the Formation of a Digital Society, etc. to Promote Regulatory Reform for the Formation of a Digital Society
デジタル社会の形成を図るための規制改革を推進するためのデジタル社会形成基本法等の一部を改正する法律
13 December 2023
Act Partially Amending the Cannabis Control Act and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act
大麻取締法及び麻薬及び向精神薬取締法の一部を改正する法律
1 December 2023
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する法律
1 November 2023
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する法律
16 June 2023
Act Partially Amending the Basic Act on the Formation of a Digital Society, etc. to Promote Regulatory Reform for the Formation of a Digital Society
デジタル社会の形成を図るための規制改革を推進するためのデジタル社会形成基本法等の一部を改正する法律
6 June 2023
Act Partially Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc.
刑事訴訟法等の一部を改正する法律
29 December 2022
Act Partially Amending the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Freezing, etc. of Assets of International Terrorists Implemented by Japan in Light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267, etc., and Other Acts, to Address the Movement of Illicit International Funds, etc.
国際的な不正資金等の移動等に対処するための国際連合安全保障理事会決議第千二百六十七号等を踏まえ我が国が実施する国際テロリストの財産の凍結等に関する特別措置法等の一部を改正する法律
9 December 2022
Act Partially Amending the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases, etc.
感染症の予防及び感染症の患者に対する医療に関する法律等の一部を改正する法律
17 June 2022
Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Penal Code, etc.
刑法等の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う関係法律の整理等に関する法律
25 May 2022
Act on Support for Women Facing Difficult Problems
困難な問題を抱える女性への支援に関する法律
1 April 2022
15 March 2022
Act Partially Amending the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons
銃砲刀剣類所持等取締法の一部を改正する法律
1 April 2020
Act Partially Amending the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, etc.
医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律等の一部を改正する法律
1 April 2019
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び法務省設置法の一部を改正する法律
1 April 2019
Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts to Promote Work Style Reform
働き方改革を推進するための関係法律の整備に関する法律
14 December 2018
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び法務省設置法の一部を改正する法律
6 July 2018
Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts to Promote Work Style Reform
働き方改革を推進するための関係法律の整備に関する法律
1 November 2017
Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
外国人の技能実習の適正な実施及び技能実習生の保護に関する法律
1 September 2017
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法の一部を改正する法律
1 June 2017
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法の一部を改正する法律
1 January 2017
Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法の一部を改正する法律
Who it applies to
It applies to
- Foreign nationals — anyone who does not have Japanese nationality — entering, landing in, living in and leaving Japan.(Art. 2(1)(i), Art. 1(1), Art. 3(1), Art. 2-2(1), Art. 25(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Japanese nationals, other than crew members, when they leave and return: they must hold a valid passport (on return, proof of Japanese nationality if they cannot have one) and be confirmed by an immigration inspector at the port, and leaving without confirmation is a crime. For Japanese and foreign nationals alike, the inspector may hold departure confirmation for up to 24 hours on notice that the person is under a court's exit restriction, is prosecuted for or wanted on a warrant for an offence carrying three years' imprisonment or more, is serving an unsuspended sentence, or is subject to an extradition warrant.(Art. 60(1), Art. 60(2), Art. 61(1), Art. 71(1), Art. 60-2(1), Art. 25-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
7 more
- Until 31 March 2027: Anyone who has a foreign national do illegal work (不法就労活動) in their business, keeps a foreign national under their control for that purpose, or arranges such work as a business commits a crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both. Not knowing that the work was outside the worker's status, unpermitted or done by someone staying illegally is no defence unless there was no negligence, and the employing company or individual can be fined as well. No one may treat a foreign national worse for not showing a certificate of authorisation for employment when the work they may do is otherwise clear.(Art. 73-2(1), Art. 73-2(2), Art. 76-2(1), Art. 19-2(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 April 2027: Anyone who has a foreign national do illegal work (不法就労活動) in their business, keeps a foreign national under their control for that purpose, or arranges such work as a business commits a crime punishable by up to five years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 5 million yen, or both — though acts done before 1 April 2027, and acts under the old Technical Intern Training (技能実習) rules kept in force for the transition, keep the old maximum of three years or 3 million yen. Not knowing that the work was outside the worker's status, unpermitted or done by someone staying illegally is no defence unless there was no negligence, and the employing company or individual can be fined as well. No one may treat a foreign national worse for not showing a certificate of authorisation for employment when the work they may do is otherwise clear.(Art. 73-2(1), Art. 73-2(2), Art. 76-2(1), Art. 19-2(2), Suppl. Prov. Art. 22(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 31 March 2027: Organisations that employ Specified Skilled Workers must meet criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets, carry out support for first-tier workers under a support plan — which they may entrust in whole or part to others, including registered support organisations — and file notifications. The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency can require reports, inspect and order improvements, and breaching an order is punishable by up to six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to 300,000 yen. Other organisations a Ministry of Justice Order names that accept mid- to long-term residents with Appended Table I statuses are to try to report on them, except employers already required to notify under Article 28(1) of the Act on the Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies (労働施策総合推進法), a separate Act.(Art. 2-5(3), Art. 2-5(6), Art. 19-22(1), Art. 19-22(2), Art. 19-18(1), Art. 19-20(1), Art. 19-21(1), Art. 71-3(1), Art. 19-23(1), Art. 19-30(1), Art. 19-17(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 April 2027: Organisations that employ Specified Skilled Workers must meet criteria a Ministry of Justice Order sets, carry out support for first-tier workers under a support plan, which they may entrust, in whole or part, only to registered support organisations (an organisation already entrusting part of it to someone else on 1 April 2027 may go on doing so for that worker until the worker's first extension of the period of stay after that day), and file notifications. The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency can require reports, inspect and order improvements, and breaching an order is punishable by up to six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to 300,000 yen. Other organisations a Ministry of Justice Order names that accept mid- to long-term residents with Appended Table I statuses are to try to report on them, except employers already required to notify under Article 28(1) of the Act on the Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies (労働施策総合推進法), a separate Act.(Art. 2-5(3), Art. 2-5(6), Art. 19-22(1), Art. 19-22(2), Art. 19-18(1), Art. 19-20(1), Art. 19-21(1), Art. 71-3(1), Art. 19-23(1), Art. 19-30(1), Art. 19-17(1), Suppl. Prov. Art. 6(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until the change takes effect, 31 March 2029 at the latest: Carriers operating ships and aircraft between Japan and abroad, and their captains: they must cooperate with immigration inspection, check passengers' passports before boarding, report passenger and crew details in advance, stop people without valid documents from landing, and return at their own cost people refused landing and certain others; failures bring a non-criminal fine (過料) of up to 500,000 yen.(Art. 2(1)(ix), Art. 56(1), Art. 56-2(1), Art. 57(1), Art. 58(1), Art. 59(1), Art. 77(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From a day still to be set, 31 March 2029 at the latest: Carriers operating ships and aircraft between Japan and abroad, and their captains: they must cooperate with immigration inspection; report each booking to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency when issuing a ticket (for a ship, by a time a Ministry of Justice Order sets) and not carry to Japan anyone the Commissioner notifies should not come, unless the notice arrives after departure, in which case they must promptly report to the Commissioner that they are bringing the person; check passengers' passports before boarding; report passenger and crew details in advance; stop people without valid documents from landing; and return at their own cost people refused landing and certain others; failures bring a non-criminal fine (過料) of up to 500,000 yen.(Art. 2(1)(ix), Art. 56(1), Art. 56-2(1), Art. 56-2(2), Art. 56-2(4), Art. 56-3(1), Art. 57(1), Art. 58(1), Art. 59(1), Art. 77(1), Art. 56-2(5)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Supervisors (監理人) who agree to oversee a person under supervision measures: they must report, among other things, when that person breaches conditions or dies.(Art. 44-3(1), Art. 44-3(4), Art. 52-3(4)) (the provisions it rests on)
Special rules and exceptions (8)
- Special permanent residents (特別永住者) are defined by a separate Act, outside this collection, on people who lost Japanese nationality under the Treaty of Peace with Japan. This Act lists them apart from people staying under its statuses of residence, and names them for particular treatment: they need not give fingerprints and a photograph when landing, and their spouses and children can obtain permanent residence without showing good conduct or independent means.(Art. 2-2(1), Art. 6(3)(i), Art. 61-2-2(1), Art. 22(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Crew members (乗員) of ships and aircraft are outside the ordinary landing examination and the departure confirmation. A valid crew member's pocket-ledger (乗員手帳) lets them enter without a passport, and they land for changing vessels, rest, shopping and similar purposes on a crew landing permission of up to 15 days, or on a permission for repeated landings valid for a year where they serve on regular routes. A foreign crew member who lands on such a permission and is dismissed still counts as crew while in Japan.(Art. 3(1)(i), Art. 6(1), Art. 16(1), Art. 16(2), Art. 19(4), Art. 25(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- People with Diplomat or Official status — members of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts, those given equal privileges by treaty or custom, people on official duty for a foreign government or international organisation, and their households — need not give fingerprints on landing, receive no residence card, and are not held to the five-year cap on the period of stay. The fingerprint exemption also covers anyone under 16 and guests invited by the head of a national government body. Those given a period of stay of three months or less, or Temporary Visitor status, are not mid- to long-term residents: they get no residence card and carry their passport instead. Anyone under 16 need not carry a passport or residence card, and a relative living with them makes their address and card filings for them.(Appended Table 1, Art. 6(3)(ii), Art. 6(3)(iii), Art. 6(3)(iv), Art. 19-3(1)(i), Art. 19-3(1)(ii), Art. 19-3(1)(iii), Art. 2-2(3), Art. 23(1), Art. 23(5), Art. 61-8-3(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A person who gives up Japanese nationality, or a foreign national who comes to be in Japan without going through landing — by birth or another event — may stay for 60 days without a status of residence, and must apply within 30 days to stay longer. Staying past the 60 days without a status is a ground for deportation and a crime.(Art. 22-2(1), Art. 22-2(2), Art. 24(1)(vii), Art. 70(1)(viii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A foreign national on a ship or aircraft who fled a territory where their life, body or freedom was threatened for a Refugee Convention reason or a similar one, or where they feared persecution, can be given landing permission for temporary refuge (一時庇護) where that is appropriate, with conditions. On application by a foreign national in Japan, the Minister of Justice may give recognition of refugee status (難民の認定) to a refugee as the Refugee Convention and its Protocol — treaties outside this collection — define one, or recognise a person as eligible for complementary protection (補完的保護対象者): someone who meets the Convention's requirements except that the reason they fear persecution is not a Convention reason. A person recognised who has no status of residence is to be granted Long-Term Resident status unless they fall under listed grounds for deportation or were sentenced to imprisonment for listed crimes after entering Japan. A recognised person who holds a status is to be granted a change to Long-Term Resident on application, unless their status came from special permission to stay in deportation proceedings that followed the recognition.(Art. 18-2(1), Art. 18-2(4), Art. 2(1)(iii), Art. 2(1)(iii-2), Art. 61-2(1), Art. 61-2(2), Art. 61-2-2(1), Art. 61-2-3(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- An applicant for refugee or complementary protection recognition who has no status of residence is to be given permission for provisional stay (仮滞在) unless an exclusion applies. The exclusions include: applying more than six months after landing — or, for someone who became a refugee or eligible for protection while in Japan, after learning of the facts — without an unavoidable reason; clearly not having come directly from the territory where they were threatened, unless the grounds arose while in Japan; already having a deportation order; a well-founded risk of flight; and listed deportation grounds or crimes. While provisional stay lasts, deportation proceedings are suspended. For other applicants without a status, removal is suspended until the application is finally refused, or until they are recognised but refused a status. The suspension of removal does not protect someone on their third or later application who submits no material showing reasonable grounds for recognition, someone sentenced to life imprisonment or to three years or more (not suspended), or someone deportable, or suspected, on terrorism grounds, under an international agreement barring their entry, or for violent opposition to the Constitution or government.(Art. 61-2-4(1), Art. 61-2-4(1)(vi), Art. 61-2-4(1)(vii), Art. 61-2-4(1)(ix), Art. 61-2-4(1)(x), Art. 61-2-9(2), Art. 61-2-9(3), Art. 61-2-9(4)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Recognition must be revoked if it was obtained by fraud, if one of the Refugee Convention's cessation clauses comes to apply (for complementary protection, also if its grounds end), or if the person commits acts under Article 1F(a) or (c) of the Convention after recognition. A recognised person staying on a status granted under the refugee or special-permission rules who loses recognition for fraud or those acts becomes deportable. A recognised person's status of residence is outside the general rule on revoking statuses, but can be revoked if they obtained Long-Term Resident status by deceiving the Minister into finding that the grounds ruling it out did not apply. A refugee — this does not extend to people eligible only for complementary protection — who committed illegal entry, illegal or fraudulent landing, overstaying, or continued illegal stay is exempted from punishment if they prove they came directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened for a Convention reason and acted because of that threat, provided they told an immigration inspector so without delay.(Art. 61-2-10(1), Art. 61-2-10(2), Art. 24(1)(x), Art. 22-4(1), Art. 61-2-11(1), Art. 70-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Victims of human trafficking (人身取引等) are not refused landing for past prostitution-related work done under another's control, and are not deportable for unauthorised work or prostitution-related work while under another's control; they can be given special permission to land or to stay.(Art. 5(1)(vii), Art. 24(1)(iv)(a), Art. 24(1)(iv)(j), Art. 12(1)(ii), Art. 50(1)(iii)) (the provisions it rests on)
How it is enforced (10)
- Landing is refused on the grounds Article 5 lists. Among them: certain infectious diseases; a sentence of imprisonment of a year or more in any country (not for a political offence); any conviction under drug laws; and a set period after an earlier removal. That period is one year after being refused landing for unlawfully holding drugs, guns or explosives. It is one year after leaving under a departure order, but five years for coming as a Temporary Visitor if the person said they would leave only after the investigation had begun. It is five years after a first deportation, or one year where the Minister of Justice, weighing the person's conduct and other circumstances, so decides on the application of a first deportee who leaves at their own expense by a set date — except for coming as a Temporary Visitor. It is ten years after any other deportation. There is no time limit after a deportation for violent opposition to the Constitution or government, or for harming Japan's interests or public safety. A person the inspector does not pass goes to a special inquiry officer (特別審理官) for an oral hearing; if refused again, they may object in writing to the Minister of Justice within three days. The Minister may specially permit landing even when the objection fails — for a re-entry permit holder, someone brought to Japan under another's control through human trafficking, or other special reasons — and may decide not to refuse landing solely on some grounds, such as a past sentence, a drug conviction or a past deportation, for a re-entry permit holder or in other cases a Ministry of Justice Order sets.(Art. 5(1), Art. 5(1)(ix)(a), Art. 5(1)(ix)(e), Art. 5(1)(ix)(f), Art. 5(1)(ix), Art. 5(1)(x), Art. 52(5), Art. 9(6), Art. 10(1), Art. 10(10), Art. 11(1), Art. 12(1), Art. 5-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A foreign national can be deported (退去強制) on the grounds Article 24 lists. Among them: entering or landing illegally; staying past the period of stay without an extension or change; having a status of residence revoked for fraud, or staying past the period given to leave after a revocation; staying more than 60 days after birth or loss of Japanese nationality without a status; missing a departure order's deadline; clearly being engaged mainly in business or paid work outside one's status without permission; a sentence of life imprisonment or of imprisonment (拘禁刑) for more than a year, unless the whole sentence was suspended or the part not suspended was a year or less; any conviction under the drug laws; for an Appended Table I holder, a sentence of imprisonment for listed offences under the Penal Code and certain other Acts; for a mid- to long-term resident, a sentence of imprisonment for false filings, for failing to renew or replace a residence card, or for refusing to receive or show it; having committed or aided human trafficking; and having a foreign national do illegal work.(Art. 24(1)(i), Art. 24(1)(ii), Art. 24(1)(iv)(b), Art. 24(1)(ii-2), Art. 24(1)(ii-4), Art. 24(1)(vii), Art. 24(1)(viii), Art. 24(1)(iv)(a), Art. 24(1)(iv)(i), Art. 24(1)(iv)(h), Art. 24(1)(iv-2), Art. 24(1)(iv-4), Art. 24(1)(iv)(c), Art. 24(1)(iii-4)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Immigration control officers (入国警備官) investigate suspected cases, and may inspect, search and seize with a warrant issued in advance by a judge. A supervising immigration inspector (主任審査官) decides whether a suspect is detained on a written detention order — for up to 30 days, extendable by up to 30 more for unavoidable reasons — or placed under supervision measures (監理措置): living outside detention under the oversight of a supervisor (監理人), with conditions on residence, movement and appearing when summoned, and a deposit of up to 3 million yen where needed. An officer may detain someone clearly deportable without a detention order when they are likely to flee before one can be issued, and must then promptly ask for one. A detained person may ask to be released to supervision measures, and they or their representative, curator, spouse, lineal relative or sibling may request provisional release (仮放免), which can be granted for a set period on grounds of health, humanity or similar. For a person detained under a deportation order, an officer must draw up a plan for their removal, and after three months of continuous detention, and every three months after, the supervising immigration inspector must consider releasing them to supervision measures.(Art. 27(1), Art. 31(1), Art. 39(2), Art. 39-2(1), Art. 41(1), Art. 44-2(1), Art. 44-2(2), Art. 44-3(2), Art. 43(1), Art. 43(2), Art. 44-2(4), Art. 52-2(4), Art. 54(1), Art. 54(2), Art. 52-8(1), Art. 52-8(2), Art. 52-8(3), Art. 52-8(6)) (the provisions it rests on)
- An immigration inspector examines whether the person is subject to deportation. A person found so may ask a special inquiry officer for an oral hearing within three days of notice and, if the finding is upheld, object in writing to the Minister of Justice within three days. The Minister may give special permission to stay in Japan (在留特別許可) — on application or on the Minister's own initiative — to a person who has permanent residence, was once a Japanese national with a family register in Japan, is in Japan under another's control through human trafficking, is recognised as a refugee or as eligible for complementary protection, or for other special reasons. The application can be made only by a person detained on a detention order or under a supervision-measures decision (or, where deportation proceedings run alongside criminal proceedings, a person under examination), and not once a written deportation order has been issued. Permission can be given only after the person has accepted the inspector's finding or the hearing decision, or the Minister has rejected their objection. For someone sentenced to life imprisonment or to more than a year (not suspended as described above), or deportable for terrorism, for being barred by an international agreement, for having committed or aided human trafficking, or for violent opposition to the Constitution or government or harm to Japan's interests or public safety, it requires special circumstances in which refusing would lack humanitarian consideration. The Minister weighs, among other things, the reasons for wanting to stay, family relationships, conduct, how long and with what legal status the person has stayed, the facts behind the deportation and the need for humanitarian consideration. Once the person accepts the finding or the objection fails, a written deportation order is issued unless an application for special permission is pending or made within three days.(Art. 45(1), Art. 47(3), Art. 48(1), Art. 49(1), Art. 50(1), Art. 50(2), Art. 50(3), Art. 50(4), Art. 50(5), Art. 24(1)(iv)(c), Art. 63(1), Art. 47(5), Art. 49(7)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A deportation order is carried out by removing the person to the country of their nationality or citizenship, or, where that is impossible, to another country chosen by the person from the list the Act gives. The destination may not be a country where they risk persecution — unless the Minister finds they seriously harm Japan's interests or public safety — nor a country barred by the conventions against torture and against enforced disappearance, which are outside this collection. If removal cannot happen at once, the person is detained until it can, or placed under supervision measures. Where removal is difficult because the person refuses to leave and their destination is not on the Minister of Justice's published list of countries that cooperate with deportation, or because they have obstructed removal by deception or force and are likely to do so again, a supervising immigration inspector may, after hearing them, order them to leave within a set period; disobeying is punishable by up to one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 yen, or both.(Art. 52(3), Art. 53(1), Art. 53(2), Art. 53(3), Art. 52(8), Art. 52(9), Art. 52-2(1), Art. 55-2(1), Art. 72(1)(vii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A departure order (出国命令) replaces deportation for someone deportable for staying past their period of stay, past a period set on revocation, past a special landing permission or past the 60 days after birth or loss of nationality, or for absconding from a cruise ship. They must have come forward to immigration intending to leave promptly, or said so after the investigation began but before a deportation finding; must not be deportable on the grounds that rule it out — such as document or residence-card forgery, having others do illegal work, trafficking, drug or other serious convictions, a sentence of imprisonment for unauthorised work, or a missed or cancelled departure order; must not have been sentenced to imprisonment for listed offences after entering Japan; must never have been deported or left under a departure order; and must be sure to leave promptly. Unauthorised work that did not lead to a sentence of imprisonment does not rule a person out. The order sets a deadline of no more than 15 days and may carry conditions such as limits on residence and movement. Staying past the deadline makes the person deportable and is a crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both.(Art. 24-3(1), Art. 24-3(1)(ii), Art. 24(1)(iv)(f), Art. 55-85(1), Art. 55-85(3), Art. 24(1)(viii), Art. 70(1)(viii-2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 31 March 2027: The Minister of Justice may revoke a status of residence (在留資格の取消し) after having an immigration inspector hear the person. Grounds include obtaining landing, or a change of status, extension, permanent residence or other permission under the Act's rules on status, by deception or with false documents; for an Appended Table I status, not doing its activities for three months (six for the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional), or doing other activities instead; for a spouse status, not living as a spouse for six months — in each case without a justifiable reason; and, for a mid- to long-term resident, failing without justifiable reason to report an address within 90 days, or reporting a false one. Before revoking a spouse status on that ground, the Minister must consider giving the person a chance to apply for a change of status or for permanent residence. The Minister normally gives up to 30 days to leave, but not where landing or a permission was obtained by deception, nor on a revocation for doing other activities where the person is suspected of planning to flee; such a person is deportable on revocation. Staying past a period given, or staying on without one, is a ground for deportation and a crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both.(Art. 22-4(1), Art. 22-4(1)(ii), Art. 22-4(2), Art. 22-4(7), Art. 22-5(1), Art. 24(1)(ii-2), Art. 24(1)(ii-3), Art. 24(1)(ii-4), Art. 70(1)(iii), Art. 70(1)(iii-2), Art. 70(1)(iii-3)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 April 2027: The Minister of Justice may revoke a status of residence (在留資格の取消し) after having an immigration inspector hear the person, and an official of the national or a local government who, in their work, comes across a foreign national they believe falls under a ground may report it. Grounds include obtaining landing, or a change of status, extension, permanent residence or other permission under the Act's rules on status, by deception or with false documents; for an Appended Table I status, not doing its activities for three months (six for the second tier of Highly Skilled Professional), or doing other activities instead; for a spouse status, not living as a spouse for six months — in each case without a justifiable reason; for a permanent resident, not complying with the duties this Act sets, deliberately not paying taxes and public charges (公租公課), or a sentence of imprisonment (拘禁刑) for listed offences under the Penal Code and certain other Acts; and, for a mid- to long-term resident, failing without justifiable reason to report an address within 90 days, or reporting a false one. Before revoking a spouse status on that ground, the Minister must consider giving the person a chance to apply for a change of status or for permanent residence; on revoking permanent residence for unmet duties, unpaid taxes or those sentences, the Minister is to change the person to another status on the Minister's own authority, unless the Minister finds they should not stay on in Japan, and in applying the ground of unmet duties or unpaid taxes the Minister is to give full consideration to the person's past record of paying taxes and public charges, present living circumstances and situation as a whole. The Minister normally gives up to 30 days to leave, but not where landing or a permission was obtained by deception, nor on a revocation for doing other activities where the person is suspected of planning to flee; such a person is deportable on revocation. Staying past a period given, or staying on without one, is a ground for deportation and a crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both.(Art. 22-4(1), Art. 22-4(1)(ii), Art. 22-4(1)(viii), Art. 22-4(1)(ix), Art. 22-4(2), Art. 22-4(7), Art. 22-5(1), Art. 22-6(1), Art. 24(1)(ii-2), Art. 24(1)(ii-3), Art. 24(1)(ii-4), Art. 70(1)(iii), Art. 70(1)(iii-2), Art. 70(1)(iii-3), Art. 62-2(1), Suppl. Prov. Art. 25(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until the change takes effect, 31 March 2029 at the latest: Chapter 9 makes breaches crimes. Illegal entry or landing, overstaying, and clearly working mainly outside one's status are punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both; other unauthorised work by up to one year or 2 million yen, or both. A person under supervision measures before a deportation order may work only in a job with an employer named by the supervising immigration inspector, with the inspector's permission; after a deportation order, no work is allowed under supervision measures; a person on provisional stay may work only with the Minister of Justice's permission. Working without that permission is punishable by up to three years or 3 million yen, or both, under supervision measures, and by up to one year or 2 million yen, or both, on provisional stay; the same three-year penalty applies to working while barred from leaving by a court with deportation on hold. Absconding or ignoring a summons under supervision measures, provisional release or provisional stay is punishable by up to one year or 200,000 yen, or both. For a mid- to long-term resident, a false address, name or organisation filing, failing to renew or replace a residence card, or refusing to receive or show it is punishable by up to one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 yen; not filing an address, a change of name or nationality or an organisation change, or not carrying the card, by a fine of up to 200,000 yen. Forging a residence card for use is punishable by one to ten years' imprisonment. While someone is under supervision measures, or barred from leaving Japan by a court while their deportation order is on hold and not in criminal custody, staying on does not count as the crimes of overstaying or illegal stay.(Chapter 9, Art. 70(1), Art. 73(1), Art. 44-5(1), Art. 61-2-7(1), Art. 70(1)(ix), Art. 70(1)(x), Art. 70(1)(xii), Art. 73(1)(ii), Art. 72(1), Art. 71-2(1), Art. 75-2(1), Art. 71-5(1), Art. 75-3(1), Art. 73-3(1), Art. 44-2(10), Art. 52-2(8), Art. 63(3), Art. 63-2(1), Art. 63-2(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From a day still to be set, 31 March 2029 at the latest: Chapter 9 makes breaches crimes. Entering Japan without a valid passport or intending to land without permission, landing without permission, overstaying, and clearly working mainly outside one's status are punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both — entering without a visa, an online authorisation or another standing that exempts from both (a re-entry permit, for example) makes a person deportable but is not this crime, and for the first six months from the day this rule comes into force, the visa-or-authorisation requirement does not apply to people a Ministry of Justice Order names as unlikely to harm fair immigration control; other unauthorised work by up to one year or 2 million yen, or both. A person under supervision measures before a deportation order may work only in a job with an employer named by the supervising immigration inspector, with the inspector's permission; after a deportation order, no work is allowed under supervision measures; a person on provisional stay may work only with the Minister of Justice's permission. Working without that permission is punishable by up to three years or 3 million yen, or both, under supervision measures, and by up to one year or 2 million yen, or both, on provisional stay; the same three-year penalty applies to working while barred from leaving by a court with deportation on hold. Absconding or ignoring a summons under supervision measures, provisional release or provisional stay is punishable by up to one year or 200,000 yen, or both. For a mid- to long-term resident, a false address, name or organisation filing, failing to renew or replace a residence card, or refusing to receive or show it is punishable by up to one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 yen; not filing an address, a change of name or nationality or an organisation change, or not carrying the card, by a fine of up to 200,000 yen. Forging a residence card for use is punishable by one to ten years' imprisonment. While someone is under supervision measures, or barred from leaving Japan by a court while their deportation order is on hold and not in criminal custody, staying on does not count as the crimes of overstaying or illegal stay.(Chapter 9, Art. 70(1), Art. 73(1), Art. 44-5(1), Art. 61-2-7(1), Art. 70(1)(ix), Art. 70(1)(x), Art. 70(1)(xii), Art. 73(1)(ii), Art. 72(1), Art. 71-2(1), Art. 75-2(1), Art. 71-5(1), Art. 75-3(1), Art. 73-3(1), Art. 44-2(10), Art. 52-2(8), Art. 63(3), Art. 63-2(1), Art. 63-2(3), Art. 3(1)(iv), Art. 24(1)(i), Suppl. Prov. Art. 3(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
How it connects to other laws
It does not cite, and is not cited by, any other law held here.
It also names 67 laws not yet held here.
Where the translation comes from
- 750
- 1,594
The Ministry of Justice's translation is shown only where the Japanese it translates matches the law in force today. Everywhere else the English is a machine translation, marked on the paragraph itself.
Only the Japanese is the law, and no lawyer has reviewed the machine translation.
Sources
Everything this page rests on
- e-Gov (Digital Agency)出入国管理及び難民認定法 — the text in force from 2026-06-14Original
- e-Gov (Digital Agency)出入国管理及び難民認定法 — revision historyOriginal
- Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of JusticeImmigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act — Ministry of Justice translationOriginal
- Machine translation, not official
- Written for this site with AIEnglish titles of amending laws, written for this site
- Written for this site with AIDescriptions of each law, written for this site
- Worked out by this site from e-Gov's text