Residents in Japan (who are stateless or are unable to obtain a foreign passport)
Expiration
Same as period of stay or 5 years, whichever is shorter
The Japan Re-entry Permit (再入国許可書, or "Re-entry Permit to Japan") is a travel document similar to a certificate of identity, issued by Japan's Ministry of Justice. It is a passport-like booklet with a light brown cover with the words "再入国許可書 RE-ENTRY PERMIT TO JAPAN" on the front.
Eligibility
The purpose of the re-entry permit is to allow residents to leave and return to Japan, and to serve as an international travel document in lieu of a passport.[1]
The Re-entry Permit can be issued to residents of Japan who are stateless or cannot get a passport from their country, such as de factorefugees holding resident status other than as a 1951 Convention Refugee, including those holding a residence status of student, designated activities, etc. under considerations of humanitarian. It is also used by people whose nationality is not recognized in Japan (e.g. North Korean nationals, or Koreans in Japan who retain Joseon nationality but acquired neither South Korea nor North Korea nationality).[2][3][4]
Physical appearance
The Re-entry Permit is a passport-like booklet containing 28 pages, including instruction pages, personal information page, and visa pages. The current version's data page is laminated in plastic to prevent tampering.
Data pages
Photo of the holder
Document number
Name (Last, First, Middle)
Nationality
Date of birth
Sex
Address (Prefectures of Japan)
Date of issue
Residence card no.
Status and expiry date of residence status
Issuing authority
Signature of holder
Amendments
The validity of this document is limited to the expiry date on the stamps of re-entry permit shown on visa pages of page 4 to 28 and can be extended, while there is no valid date specified on the personal information page.
Fees
The booklet is free of charge.
However, a visa type Re-entry Permit is required in order to validate this document, with a fee of JP¥3000 (Single) or JP¥6000 (Multiple).
There is also a stamp type re-entry visa calls Re-entry Permit to Japan (再入国許可), which is pasted into a foreign passport or other travel document include this document. This is required for foreign residents who wish to temporarily leave the country.