If I will leave Japan for good, do i need to go to immigration to report it? I get an offer in Switzerland so I am thinking of moving there. What will I do with my previous residence card those who had holes?
This isn’t an exhaustive list based on your personal circumstances but it’s the least you have to do afaik:
1. Surrender your Residence Card to the immigration officer at the departure area of the port of departure (you don’t need to bring the ones with holes as they are already voided but you HAVE to bring and void your current one)
2. Cancel your registration as a Resident by notifying your local ward or city office that you’re leaving the country. They will give you a moving-out certificate (転出証明書 tenshutsu shomeisho).
3. Health Insurance: It’s absolutely crucial that you cancel your health insurance. Let your local Social Insurance Office know if you are employed or your local municipal/city/ward if you’re on National Health Insurance (NHI). They *will* continue to charge you and you *will* be greeted with a considerable unpaid debt as soon as you try to enter Japan anytime in the future. Please do not forget this.
4. If you have been paying into the Japanese pension system, you might be eligible for a lump-sum withdrawal payment. Remember to apply within two years of leaving the country.
5. Make sure you have paid all applicable taxes, including residential tax, before you leave. You may need to appoint a tax representative to take care of your tax-related affairs after your departure but that’s unlikely.
6. Ensure that you have cancelled any utilities services or other ongoing contracts that you may have.
7. Use Japan Postal Services forwarding mail system if you want to receive mail. This is highly recommended as people often forget cancelling certain services which will build up debt indefinitely until legal action is taken.
It’s always good to verify this information and check the official rules as you go through the process, so reach out to a local immigration office or the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website to ensure you’ve covered everything.
2 comments
No.
Keep it for in case.
This isn’t an exhaustive list based on your personal circumstances but it’s the least you have to do afaik:
1. Surrender your Residence Card to the immigration officer at the departure area of the port of departure (you don’t need to bring the ones with holes as they are already voided but you HAVE to bring and void your current one)
2. Cancel your registration as a Resident by notifying your local ward or city office that you’re leaving the country. They will give you a moving-out certificate (転出証明書 tenshutsu shomeisho).
3. Health Insurance: It’s absolutely crucial that you cancel your health insurance. Let your local Social Insurance Office know if you are employed or your local municipal/city/ward if you’re on National Health Insurance (NHI). They *will* continue to charge you and you *will* be greeted with a considerable unpaid debt as soon as you try to enter Japan anytime in the future. Please do not forget this.
4. If you have been paying into the Japanese pension system, you might be eligible for a lump-sum withdrawal payment. Remember to apply within two years of leaving the country.
5. Make sure you have paid all applicable taxes, including residential tax, before you leave. You may need to appoint a tax representative to take care of your tax-related affairs after your departure but that’s unlikely.
6. Ensure that you have cancelled any utilities services or other ongoing contracts that you may have.
7. Use Japan Postal Services forwarding mail system if you want to receive mail. This is highly recommended as people often forget cancelling certain services which will build up debt indefinitely until legal action is taken.
It’s always good to verify this information and check the official rules as you go through the process, so reach out to a local immigration office or the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website to ensure you’ve covered everything.