So I’m a resident that is usually out of the country, I haven’t been in Japan since June and am planning to go back soon for just a few days.
The last time I left in June I told immigration that I was a resident and he reminded me I need to return before 12 months is up to keep my resident valid.
So that’s all good I will be back soon but only for a week before I leave again. I am looking for work overseas and live in a few places doing so.
In the meantime my family has been ignoring the notice from health insurance to pay up my dues ( this is roughly the explanation I understand of what they have explained to me)
Question: When I come back and leave a week later am I going to have any issues leaving?
I don’t intend to pay anything re the dues for health insurance because I am not intending to be in Japan for most of the year and don’t see what I need to.
When I return on a more permanent basis I figure I can just pay it all off .
Question : Do I need to pay it even if I don’t live in Japan for most of the time?
Thanks folks!
Happy New Year!
3 comments
You essentially get 18 months of grace time before the government can start withholding your property. Not saying they definitely will, but it can happen.
When I lived outside of Japan for a couple years I continued to pay so that I don’t run in to issues
You need to pay, as it’s a requirement (by law) as long as you are resident of Japan. You need to file moving out notice (moving overseas) if you don’t want to pay.
A: yes you need to pay it. And national pension too. Because you’re a registered resident of Japan. You don’t get to have your cake and eat it too…
Solution: Why don’t you just do things properly and get a multiple entry re-entry permit for ¥6,000?
That way you can remove yourself from the resident register and just come and go as you please whilst your (up to 5 years) re-entry permit/and SOR is valid. With that you can return to Japan with the intention of a “short stay” (less than 3 months) without having to register an address again.
That way you won’t be liable for NHI and National pension premiums because you will no longer be a resident of Japan.
The caveat though is that the (up to 5 year) single/multiple re-entry permit requires one to apply for it with immigration, which needs a valid reason. I am not sure if “because I am job hunting overseas” is a valid enough reason for a foreigner to be able to cease residency but keep their SOR or not though… (which is why many foreigners cease residency and exploit the 1 year special re-entry permit. Because their reason for ceasing residency but keeping their SOR is more like a “back up plan” or for “convenience” as opposed to a reason immigration would deem justified).
Edit: in regards to your other question you likely won’t have any issues with not paying and enter/exiting the country though. Immigration have no idea what goes on at municipality level, it’s a different government entity. So the only way they will no you’re delinquent on your health insurance and national pension is if you apply for PR (personally I fee they should be checking for SOR renewal/SOR change too… but alas they don’t). If it got to the point where the municipality take legal action then it might flag you up immigration entry/exit wise though.