What if a foreigner loses their passport in Japan? A simple explanation of what to do

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For foreigners residing in Japan for various reasons, such as specific skills or studying abroad, a passport is a very important identification document. Many people keep it in good condition on a daily basis. However, anyone can lose it, not just their passport, by misplacing it somewhere. If you lose your passport in Japan, what should you do? You may be worried that it may be misused, but first you need to stay calm and check your surroundings again, and if you still can’t find it, you need to apply for a reissue as soon as possible.

In this article, we will clearly explain the procedures required if a foreigner loses their passport in Japan. Let’s check what to do in case of an emergency.

If you lose your passport in Japan, go to the police first!

If you lose your passport in Japan, the first thing you should do is to report it to the police. Passports contain important information, so if you leave it unattended, it may be misused and lead to major trouble. If you realize that you have lost your passport, act as soon as possible.

Go to the nearest police station or police box, tell them that you have lost your passport, and submit a “lost passport report.” When you submit a lost passport report, you will receive a lost passport report certificate with a receipt number. This certificate will be needed later when you have your passport reissued at an embassy or consulate, so keep it and do not throw it away. If you know that it has been stolen, submit a “theft report,” and in this case, do not forget to receive the theft report certificate.

What to do if you lose your passport in Japan

After going to the police, go to your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan and follow the instructions to proceed with the procedure. To apply for a reissue of your passport, you may need to submit an application form, identification such as a residence card or driver’s license, a photo, and a lost property report certificate. The documents and procedures required differ depending on the country, so it is best to inquire in advance to make the process smoother.

However, depending on the country, your embassy or consulate in Japan may not be able to reissue your passport. In that case, you will need to have your return documents (travel document, etc.) issued at your country’s embassy or consulate and use them to return to your country. After that, you will need to make a new passport in your home country and then re-enter Japan. Also, if your visa renewal is approaching but you are unable to reissue your passport by the deadline, you will need to prepare a document explaining that your country’s embassy or consulate cannot reissue your passport and apply to the Japanese immigration bureau.

If you lose your passport in Japan, contact your country’s embassy or consulate to see if it can be reissued in Japan.

What to do after receiving your new passport

Once you receive your new passport, you should notify the Immigration Bureau of your area.

Your passport is an important document that proves your status of residence in Japan and is required for various procedures. If you keep the information on your old passport, it may cause problems when renewing your status of residence or applying for re-entry permission. Therefore, if you renew or reissue your passport, you are required to notify the Immigration Bureau within 14 days.

You may also need to submit your new passport information to your city hall or ward office. Foreigners who have registered as residents should check the necessary procedures at their city hall and complete them promptly.

Procedures if you lose your residence card

Foreigners aged 16 or older who stay in Japan for more than three months are not required to carry a passport at all times, but are required to carry a residence card. The residence card is an important document for identity verification, and in principle, you must show it to a police officer or other person if asked to do so. Since you must always carry it with you, many foreigners lose it, so in order to prevent misuse, it is important to take action as soon as possible if you lose it. The procedure for reissuing a residence card is carried out at the Japanese immigration bureau, and you can receive it on the same day once the application is completed.

If you lose your residence card, you must apply for a new one within 14 days of the date you realized you lost it (or the date you first entered Japan after leaving Japan). Applications submitted after 14 days will be accepted, but under the Immigration Control Act you will be subject to “imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 200,000 yen,” so it’s best to complete the procedure as soon as possible.

If you lose your passport, don’t panic and take appropriate action!

This time, we explained what to do if a foreigner loses their passport in Japan. It’s easy to panic if you lose your passport, but you should stay calm and first check your surroundings again. If you can’t find it, report it to the police and get a document proving that it was lost. After that, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan and go through the process of reissuing your passport. Also, depending on the country, passports may not be reissued in Japan. In that case, you will have to return to your home country and obtain a new passport in your home country, so be sure to check with your embassy or consulate in advance to see if it can be reissued in Japan.

At バリプラGlobal, we support foreigners who want to work in Japanese hotels and inns. We provide full support with visa applications, immigration procedures, and life in Japan so that you can work in Japan with peace of mind. We introduce jobs that specialize in the “accommodation industry” and “restaurant industry,” so if you’re interested, please check out the links below!

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