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  • Residence / ReturnResidence Cards

Medium to Long-Term Residents should notify the Immigration Bureau (Osaka Immigration Bureau Kobe Branch: TEL 078-391-6377). Special Permanent Residents should notify the Ward of Branch Office Citizen Services Division where they live.
In the event that the individual in question is sick (diagnosis or power of attorney required) and unable to go his/herself, or is under the age of 16, a family member living together with the individual may perform procedures on his/her behalf.

Notifications Not Related to Address

In the event that any information changes related to the name, date of birth, sex, or nationality/locale of an individual who has completed Resident Registration within the City of Kobe, a notification is required within 14 days of the change. Medium to Long-Term Residents should notify the Immigration Bureau (Osaka Immigration Bureau Kobe Branch: TEL 078-391-6377) of the changes. Special Permanent Residents should notify the Ward of Branch Office Citizen Services Division where they live.

〈Necessary Items〉

  • ① Your current Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Card
  • ② Passport (or Status of Residence Certificate)
  • ③ Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.
  • ④ Document(s) which prove the change to be evidenced on the Card.

※ For details, please contact the location directly.

Card Exchange Issue

Please apply to be issued a new card if your Residence Card, etc. becomes dirty or is damaged/ripped.

〈Necessary Items〉

  • ① The damaged Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Card
  • ② Passport
  • ③ Facial photo (Not necessary for those under 16) Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.

Reissuance of Card

If your Residence Card, etc., is lost or stolen, please apply for another card within 14 days of noticing the incident. If overseas, please apply within 14 days of re-entry to Japan.

〈Necessary Items〉

  • ① In the event of loss or theft, a Certificate of Loss Notification or Certificate of Theft Notification. If lost due to fire, etc., a Disaster Certificate issued by the Fire Department.
  • ② Passport
  • ③ Facial photo (Not necessary for those under 16) Facial photograph (Not necessary for those under 16) Height:4cm, Width:3cm; no hats or backgrounds, and taken within the past 3 months.

The translation is based on the data available as of March, 2026. Please note that new systems, system changes etc. may have been introduced after this date. Responsibility for the linked websites lies with their creators. Kobe City accepts no responsibility for their content etc.