Paperwork walkthroughs
The four forms almost everyone fills in during their first weeks in Japan, explained box by box: what each Japanese label means, how to fill it in, a completed sample, the mistakes that get forms sent back, and a polite Japanese card you can hand to the counter staff.
転入届tennyū-todoke
Moving-in notification
Registers your address at the ward or city office after you land. It puts your address on the back of your residence card and starts your My Number, health-insurance and pension paperwork.
Open the walkthroughWhen you need it: Within 14 days of moving in
Checked against the official page · Reviewed 2026-10-12
国民健康保険 加入届kokumin kenkō hoken kanyū-todoke
National Health Insurance enrolment
If you are not covered by employer insurance, municipal health insurance enrolment may be needed. This guide helps you understand the form and prepare your documents.
Open the walkthroughWhen you need it: Within 14 days of moving in (stays over 3 months)
Checked against the official page · Reviewed 2026-10-12
資格外活動許可申請書shikakugai katsudō kyoka shinseisho
Part-time work permission (activity outside your status)
Permission for Student and Dependent status holders to do eligible paid work for up to 28 hours a week. Obtain approval before starting work; see the guide for application options.
Open the walkthroughWhen you need it: Before starting paid work
Checked against the official page · Reviewed 2026-10-12
国民年金保険料 学生納付特例申請書kokumin nenkin hokenryō gakusei nōfu tokurei shinseisho
National Pension enrolment & student payment postponement
Students at eligible schools who meet the income requirement can apply to postpone pension contributions. Check the school and income conditions before filling in the form.
Open the walkthroughWhen you need it: At enrolment, then every April
Checked against the official page · Reviewed 2026-10-12
How to use these
- Read the walkthrough before you go, then print the staff card — the counter staff can point you to the right form and window.
- Forms differ between municipalities and get revised; the layout here shows the usual boxes, and each page links to the official source we checked it against.
- Every sample value is fictional (the “YUZU Hanako” persona). Copy the format, never the values.
General guidance, not legal advice. Deadlines, accepted documents and form layouts vary by municipality and change over time — confirm with your ward office, school, employer or the Immigration Services Agency. (Reviewed: 2026-10-12)