How to Check Your Entry/Exit Records in Japan

If you are living in Japan long-term or preparing to apply for permanent residence, naturalization, or a visa renewal, you may need to check your entry/exit records at some point.

These are some of the most common situations where this comes up:

“When exactly did I first enter Japan?”

“I want to know how many days I’ve spent outside the country.”

“I need to count my days abroad before applying for permanent residence.”

This article explains how to check your entry/exit records in Japan and when you might need them.

What Are Entry/Exit Records?

Entry/exit records are a history of every time you have entered or left Japan.

They typically include the following information:

Date of entry
Date of departure
Port or airport of entry/exit
Whether re-entry was made

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) manages this information for foreign nationals.

Common Situations Where Entry/Exit Records Are Needed

Permanent Residence Application

When reviewing a permanent residence application, immigration authorities look closely at whether the applicant has genuinely been living in Japan.

Specifically, they may check:

Whether you have stayed abroad for extended periods
The total number of days spent outside Japan
Whether you have maintained a stable life base in Japan

Naturalization Application

Entry/exit records are also one of the key documents reviewed during the naturalization process.

Visa Application or Renewal

Some status of residence applications and renewals may involve a review of your overseas travel history.

Personal Record-Keeping

Many people simply want to confirm their own residency history in Japan for their own reference.

The Easiest Method: Check Your Passport

This is the method most people try first.

By going through your current and past passports, you may find:

Entry stamps
Departure stamps

However, with the increasing use of automated gates (e-gates) at Japanese airports, stamps are often not issued anymore.

If you need an accurate record, it is better to use official sources.

Information Disclosure Request for Entry/Exit Records

In Japan, you can formally request access to your own entry/exit records through an official process.

This is commonly referred to as:

An entry/exit records disclosure request

It involves submitting a request for information disclosure directly to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Where to Apply

You can generally submit the request through the relevant counter at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Since official procedures may change, it is advisable to check the latest guidance before submitting your application.

What Information Will Be Disclosed?

The information typically available through a disclosure request includes:

Dates of entry into Japan
Dates of departure from Japan
Full entry/exit history

Note that the scope of information disclosed may vary depending on what you request and your individual circumstances.

Managing Your Days Abroad Is Important for Permanent Residence

Those preparing to apply for permanent residence often pay close attention to the number of days they have spent outside Japan.

If you have a history of:

Extended stays abroad
Frequent overseas business trips
Long visits back to your home country

it is a good idea to organize your entry/exit history in advance.

Are Re-Entry Records Also Included?

Long-term residents of Japan often travel abroad and return multiple times — for example:

Visits to their home country
Overseas business trips
Travel

All such re-entries are included in your entry/exit history.

Why Does It Matter for Permanent Residence?

One of the key questions in a permanent residence review is:

“Is this person actually living a stable life in Japan?”

If repeated or extended periods abroad stand out, it may affect the outcome of the review.

This is why many applicants choose to review their entry/exit records before applying. The benefits of permanent residence itself and key review points are summarized in Benefits of Obtaining Permanent Residence from a Work Visa in Japan.

Checking Records When You Use Automated Gates

Many airports in Japan now offer automated gates (e-gates) for entry and exit.

When you use these gates, no stamp is placed in your passport.

This means relying solely on your passport may not give you a complete picture of your entry/exit history.

Keep Your Old Passports

Old passports can be useful when compiling your entry/exit records.

They may contain:

Past visas
Entry stamps
Departure stamps

Even after renewing your passport, it is a good idea to hold onto your old passports. Other procedures to take care of after renewing your passport are covered in What to Do After Renewing Your Passport While Living in Japan.

Entry/Exit Records vs. Residence Card

These two things are often confused.

Your residence card is an identity document that proves your current status of residence in Japan.

Entry/exit records, on the other hand, are:

A history of when you entered and left Japan

They are two separate types of information.

Are There Other Situations Where Records May Be Required?

While it is not common in everyday life, entry/exit records may be needed for:

Permanent residence applications
Naturalization applications
Certain administrative procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my entry/exit records online?

In most cases, you will need to go through the official information disclosure process to obtain your records.

Can I verify my entry/exit history using just my passport?

You can check some records this way, but if you have used automated gates, those entries and exits may not appear as stamps.

Should I check my records before applying for permanent residence?

If you have a history of extended stays abroad, reviewing your records ahead of time can be very helpful.

Do I need to keep my old passports?

Yes, old passports can be useful for verifying past entry/exit records, so keeping them is recommended.

Conclusion

Your entry/exit records can be an important document for permanent residence, naturalization, and other visa-related procedures in Japan.

If you need to confirm how long you have been living in Japan or how many days you have spent abroad, it is worth taking the time to get a clear picture of your immigration history.

While checking your passport stamps is one option, the growing use of automated gates means that not all entries and exits will appear there.

For an accurate record, consider using the information disclosure request process through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

If you are a long-term resident, keeping a simple log of your entry and departure dates on a regular basis can make it much easier to prepare when the time comes to apply for permanent residence or any other visa.