Changes to the Immigration Control Act！-New System of Residence Management-
Introduction

The law for partial amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those who have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the amended law”) was passed and enacted at the regular Diet session of 2009, and promulgated on July 15, 2009.

The amended law stipulates the introduction of a new system of residence management including issuance of a Residence Card. It also contains new provisions such as the issuance of a Special Permanent Resident Certificate, revision of the training and technical internship programs, integration of the statuses of residence of “College Student” and “Pre-College Student”, and establishment of the Immigration Detention Facilities Visiting Committee.
Major Points of the Amendment
  1. Introduction of a new system of residence management including issuance of a Residence Card (※)
  2. Issuance of Special Permanent Resident Certificates to those who qualify (※)
  3. Revision of the training and technical internship programs
  4. Integration of the statuses of residence of “College Student” and “Pre-College Student”
  5. Establishment of the Immigration Detention Facilities Visiting Committee
  6. Clear wording of the prohibition of deportation under conventions including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (* note 1)
  7. Establishment of a special exception on the period of stay for those who filed applications such as extension of the period of stay
  8. Establishment of special exceptions with respect to denial of landing
  9. New requirement for crew members with landing permission to carry and present identification such as a valid crew member’s pocket-ledger
  10. Establishment of conditions for deportation in order to appropriately deal with activities involving encouragement of illegal employment

(※)Upon introduction of the new system(1&2),the current alien registration system shall become defunct

Effective Dates

○ Within three years from the date of promulgation ⇒ 1 & 2 * note 2
○ July 1, 2010 ⇒ 3，4，5，7，8 & 10
○ January 1, 2010 ⇒ 9
○ Effective from the date of promulgation ⇒ 6

(Note 1) The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which contains similar provisions to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, shall be enforced as soon as the treaty comes into effect.

(Note 2) The actual dates of enforcement shall be determined by Cabinet orders.
For more detailed information on this amendment, please click here

Japanese

Pertinent material

Outline of the New Procedures for Residence Management Outline of the New Procedures for Residence Management

Leaflet

English version English version
For Immigration Bureau’s website, please click here
For further information, please contact:

General Affairs Division,
Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice
Tel: +81(0)3-3580-4111