All visitors to Japan are issued a Zairyu Card (Residence Card) if they plan on staying in Japan beyond 90 days. All NILS Intensive Fulltime Program students are issued this card. If students extend their stay, their cards are renewed. Students are required to carry the card at all times, so please take it with you whenever you leave home. For those visitors who do not have a Japanese driver’s license, this works as a valid identification card.

Currently, those students who come to Fukuoka through Narita Airport are issued a Residence Card without any address. There is no reason to worry about this. NILS makes sure to register the student’s address and other administrative matters with the authorities.

For those students who enter Japan through Fukuoka Airport, you are to apply for a change of address at the City Hall. NILS also handles this. Once you establish your address, your Residence Card will be mailed to your address, and you can then open a bank account, obtain cellular phone service, etc.

If you move to a different address, you will need to register your address with the City Hall. They will write your new address on your card. If you neglect to take this step, you may encounter problems renewing your residency. If you are unsure about this requirement, please ask our staff at NILS.

For those students who stay for a shorter term, this Residence Card will not be issued. Your passport will be your only identification. Please take care not to lose your passport.