What to Do After Renewing Your Passport While Living in Japan

If you are a foreign national living in Japan long-term, passport renewal is something you will eventually need to deal with.

This is especially true if you are on a Work Visa, spouse visa, student visa, or Permanent Residence — keeping track of your passport expiration date matters.

After getting a new passport issued, you might find yourself wondering:

“Is changing my passport all I need to do?”

“Do I have to report it to Immigration?”

“Do I need to get a new Residence Card too?”

This article walks you through what to do after renewing your passport while living in Japan.

You Can Renew Your Passport in Japan

Korean nationals can renew their passport at the Korean Embassy or a Korean Consulate General in Japan.

The main options include:

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (Tokyo)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka
Consulate General in Fukuoka
Consulate General in Nagoya

You do not have to return to Korea just to renew your passport while residing in Japan.

Your Residence Card Stays the Same After Passport Renewal

This is a common point of confusion.

Getting a new passport issued does not mean you need to get a new Residence Card (在留カード).

You keep using your existing Residence Card as-is.

In other words:

New passport issued
Existing Residence Card remains valid

That is the standard situation.

The expiration date on your Residence Card remains unchanged as well.

Your Residence Card Number Does Not Change

When you renew your passport, your passport number changes.

However, your Residence Card number does not change.

That means you can continue using the same Residence Card for everything in your daily life in Japan.

Do You Have to Report the Change to Immigration?

In most cases, a simple passport renewal alone does not trigger a mandatory separate reporting obligation to the Immigration Services Agency.

In other words:

Passport expires
New passport issued

That alone does not require you to rush to Immigration.

That said, when you later apply for a visa renewal or a change of Status of Residence, you will submit your new passport information at that time. For a full overview of notification obligations during your stay in Japan, see Complete Guide to Notification Obligations for Foreigners in Japan.

Do Not Throw Away Your Old Passport

This is very important.

Even after you receive a new passport, it is best not to discard your old passport right away.

This is because your old passport may contain:

Japan visa stickers
Past entry and exit records
Various visa records

Administrative procedures — not just in Japan but in other countries as well — sometimes require verification of your past passport.

If Your Japan Visa Sticker Is in Your Old Passport

If you received a Japan visa sticker abroad and entered Japan with it, that sticker remains in your old passport.

However, for mid- to long-term residents in Japan, the Residence Card is the primary document proving your Status of Residence.

Even so, it is a good idea to keep your old passport since you may need to verify past visa history.

Check Your Passport Information Before Traveling Abroad

If you are planning to travel internationally after receiving your new passport, it is worth double-checking your passport details across all your bookings and registrations.

In particular:

Flight reservations
Visa information
Registration details for overseas services

may still be tied to your old passport number.

If your passport number has changed, some of these may need to be updated.

You May Need to Notify Your Bank or Securities Firm

Some financial institutions in Japan require notification when your ID information changes.

This includes:

Banks
Securities firms
Insurance companies

If you registered your passport as your primary form of identification, it is worth checking whether you need to submit a change notification.

What About Your My Number Card?

Passport renewal and your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) have no direct connection.

So you do not need to reapply for a My Number Card just because you got a new passport.

What About Your Driver’s License?

In most cases, renewing your passport alone does not trigger any update procedure for your Japanese driver’s license.

However, procedures related to foreign license conversion or certain administrative tasks may require you to present both your old and new passport.

Submit Your New Passport When Renewing Your Visa

When applying for a visa renewal, an extension of your period of stay, or Permanent Residence, you will be required to submit your currently valid passport.

So once you have renewed your passport, simply use your new passport for any subsequent Immigration-related applications.

What If Your Name Changed Along with Passport Renewal?

This situation is a bit different.

If your name on your passport has changed due to:

Marriage
Legal name change

then related notification and information update procedures may be required.

This is because the name registered with your bank, employer, municipal office, and Immigration must all match. For a detailed look at what notification procedures are required when your name changes, see What to Do When Your Name Changes While Living in Japan.

It Is Better to Renew Before Your Passport Expires

Even while living in Japan, it is always good practice to keep an eye on your passport expiration date.

When traveling internationally, many countries require:

“A minimum of 6 months remaining validity on your passport”

So rather than scrambling to renew at the last minute, it is safer to prepare well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to get a new Residence Card after renewing my passport in Japan?

No.

Your Residence Card remains valid and you continue using it as-is.

Is there a reporting requirement after renewing my passport?

In most cases, a straightforward passport renewal does not require any separate reporting.

Can I throw away my old passport?

It is not recommended.

Your old passport may be needed to verify past visa records and entry/exit history.

If my passport number changes, do I need to notify my bank?

Depending on the financial institution, notification may be required — it is best to check with each one.

Wrapping Up

Renewing your passport while living in Japan does not mean you need to get a new Residence Card or immediately report to Immigration.

In most cases, you can continue your life as normal with:

Your new passport
Your existing Residence Card

That said, it is a good idea to keep your old passport, and some institutions such as banks and securities firms may require you to notify them of the change.

Also, since your new passport information will be used for your next visa renewal or Permanent Residence application, it is important to keep track of the fact that your passport has changed.

For long-term residents in Japan, making a habit of regularly checking not only your Residence Card but also your passport expiration date is strongly recommended.