Impact – MEDIUM

What is the change? Japan has revised the Embarkation/Disembarkation Card (ED Card) for foreign residents who leave Japan with plans to reenter.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals departing from Japan must indicate if they have reentry permission or special reentry permission, depending on their anticipated length of stay outside Japan.

  • Implementation timeframe: July 1.
  • Visas/permits affected: Reentry permits, resident permits, special permanent resident certificates.
  • Who is affected:Foreign residents in Japan who intend to leave temporarily.
  • Impact on processing times: No direct impact.The ED Cards are completed upon entering and leaving Japan.

Background: Foreign residents who plan to leave Japan for longer than one year must obtain a reentry permit before departure. Foreign residents who intend to exit Japan and return within one year (two years for special permanent residents) are not required to obtain a reentry permit before leaving. This is known as “special reentry permission.”

The revised card requires that foreign residents check one of two boxes to indicate whether they are making either a “Departure with Reentry Permission” or “Departure with Special Reentry Permission.”

Foreign residents who leave for more than one year must obtain a reentry permit and check the first box. Foreign nationals who plan to return within one year (special reentry permission) must check the second box and present their residence card or special permanent resident certificate before departure.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should be aware of the requirement for an affirmative statement on the new card when they are planning to leave Japan and note that extensions cannot be made abroad. Foreign nationals whose stay will expire before the one-year special reentry permission time frame must return before their stay expires. A leave of longer than one year will be considered a forfeiture of one’s residence card or special permanent residence certificate.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Japan. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.