41.02 Arrival and First Months#

Before departure#

• Complete digital arrival submissions so immigration has your QR codes ready when you land. 41.01 Japan Life links to 55.05 Visit Japan Web, the SG Arrival Card, and All Indonesia portals for pre-boarding prep.
• Print and carry hard copies of your Certificate of Eligibility, employment contract, and housing contact information so you can present them alongside your QR codes if officers request supporting paperwork.
• Confirm your first-week schedule: municipal offices and banks often close on weekends and national holidays, so line up a weekday arrival slot for residency paperwork.
• Book a temporary accommodation address that accepts official mail. Municipal offices will mail your My Number Notice of Issuance and National Health Insurance card to this location.
• Prepare at least ¥50,000 in cash or a fee-free debit card for initial expenses (transport, municipal stamp duty, and SIM activation) in case your international cards face fraud checks.

Arrival day#

• Present your Visit Japan Web QR codes at immigration to receive your residence card (zairyuu card). Officers may still ask to view your Certificate of Eligibility even when the QR scan succeeds.
• Register for the automated passport gates while you are still in the arrivals area so you can use the shorter re-entry lanes on future trips.
• Pick up an inexpensive personal seal (inkan) from a convenience or stationery store inside the airport. You will need it for banking and municipal paperwork.
• Buy a short-term SIM or eSIM at the airport if you do not yet have a Japanese number. Mobile carriers require a local phone number for two-factor codes during account openings.

More setup resources

• 41.01 Japan Life outlines immigration prep, government hotlines, and community directories.
• 41.05 Housing & Utilities breaks down move-in fees, rental vocabulary, and utility start-up checklists.
• 41.06 Banking & Money Management covers account eligibility, transfer fees, and tax payment timelines.
• 41.07 Mobile, Internet & Communications details SIM, eSIM, and home internet options alongside NHK registration.
• The Family paperwork checkpoints table below bundles 41.03 Healthcare & Insurance and 41.08 Education & Family Life links for dependents who need health cover and visa updates in the first month.
• 41.09 Transportation & Travel Logistics covers commuter passes, airport transfer services, and emergency-ready navigation tools.

First week in Japan#

• Register your address (juuminhyou) at the municipal office within 14 days of moving in. Officials will update your residence card on the spot and explain the My Number card application timeline.
• Enrol in National Health Insurance (NHI) at the same visit unless your employer already confirmed you will join shakai hoken. Bring your residence card and passport.
• Review 41.03 Healthcare & Insurance for health coverage checklists, clinic search tools, and MyPortal record downloads.
• Apply for or update your My Number card. Municipalities will mail a Notice of Issuance to your registered address once the card is ready for pickup.
• Carry family vaccination records and any translated medical histories when you visit the ward office. Municipal clerks often request them to enrol dependents in NHI and verify school or nursery health records—41.08 Education & Family Life lists the translation templates they accept.
• Open a starter bank account using your residence card, juuminhyou, passport, and inkan. Provide a phone number that can receive SMS one-time passwords and review 41.06 Banking & Money Management for eligibility notes.
• Sign up for a mobile plan. Direct debit arrangements require the same bank account OTP access, and some carriers can bundle a handset purchase if needed.
• If you rent, register for gas, water, and electricity using the setup slips in your mailbox or via the utility websites. Expect technicians to schedule gas activation visits—41.05 Housing & Utilities outlines the sequence and safety checks.

Family paperwork checkpoints#

Task	Timeline	Notes & Links
Submit NHI enrolment for each family member	During your first municipal visit	Combine the address registration trip with NHI paperwork so your dependents receive insurance cards together. Reference the NHI enrolment steps to confirm supporting IDs.
File dependent visa or status change notifications	Within 14 days of a family member arriving or changing residence	Immigration bureaux require notice whenever dependents move municipalities or arrive later than the primary worker. 41.08 Education & Family Life summarises the notification forms and interpretation help.
Apply for and collect My Number cards	Submit application as soon as the Notice of Issuance arrives; expect pickup about 1 month after	The same appointment can capture dependent fingerprints/photo confirmation and PIN setup. Check the My Number follow-up tasks so you activate online services once cards are collected.

Weeks two to four#

• Confirm with your employer that payroll, health insurance, and pension enrolments are active. Provide your bank details as soon as the account is open.
• Watch for the My Number Notice of Issuance to arrive from your municipality. Once it does, submit the official My Number card application online or by mail so you can collect the card when it is ready.

My Number processing window

Municipalities typically take about one month from application to send the Notice of Issuance that allows you to pick up your My Number card, so plan errands around that waiting period.

• After the card is issued, visit the municipal office to collect it and set the PINs they provide. Bring your residence card, the Notice of Issuance, and your inkan.
• Activate the MyPortal mobile app after setting your PINs so you can download vaccination certificates and view tax notices digitally.
• If your ward offers newcomer orientations or childcare briefings, book a session while you wait for the My Number pickup window. Most municipalities expect you to attend before the end of the first month so dependent enrolments stay on track for the following school term.

After the first month#

• Enrol in cashless payment apps (e.g., Rakuten Pay, PayPay) once you have both a bank account and your My Number card available for identity verification.
• Use the My Number card plus another ID (passport or residence card) to activate digital banks such as Rakuten or Sony.
• When your income stabilises, apply for credit cards or other reward services that match your spending habits.
• Schedule health checks and city tax consultations if you are self-employed. Municipal offices often provide orientation in English or via interpretation services referenced in 41.01 Japan Life.
• Start configuring digital services in 41.04 Digital Government & Civic Services so you can file taxes via e-Tax, print certificates at convenience stores, and monitor Nenkin Net contributions.