Pension Refund Help

[nagasakinanda]

Hello,

I just left Japan a couple of days ago. I didn't know I was supposed to submit my Alien Registration Card before I left in order to process the pention refund.

I did submit it, but they just made a hole in it and returned it to me. Will this be a problem?

If so could it be possible to have someone in Japan give it in for me?

Thanks a lot!

[Musashi]

Sounds wrong to me. I handed mine back in with the original departure card they stamped in my password when I first arrived.

Maybe someone can help you on what you need to do now that you're back home for good.

[Jen_KyotoPA]

Honestly, I'm a bit unsure about this. Given that they punched a hole in it, it sounds like they certainly knew you were not going to use it again. I've heard in the past that the best thing to do is send it in to your local immigration bureau from abroad with a note explaining the situation.

Generally, I've heard you should hand it back in, but perhaps the way immigration does this has changed with the new immigration law this year. You could also try your local Japanese consulate/embassy and ask their advice see if they can cancel your visa if it was not cancelled. If your visa was visibly cancelled, I think you're fine.

[AichiPA_Kevin]

You could also try your local Japanese consulate/embassy and ask their advice see if they can cancel your visa if it was not cancelled.

I think this would be the easiest place to start. Your local embassy or consulate seems most likely to either know what to do, or be able to find out what to do.

[phoenixphreak]

This is just a random theory, but I think that because of the new Resident Management system, they might not care about the old Alien Registration Card. When I got my new Resident Card, I also received my old Alien Registration Card back, also with a hole in it.

Has anyone returned home from Japan in the past (before the new system) who could keep their old or expired card, just with a hole in it?

[Jen_KyotoPA]

This is just a random theory, but I think that because of the new Resident Management system, they might not care about the old Alien Registration Card. When I got my new Resident Card, I also received my old Alien Registration Card back, also with a hole in it.

Has anyone returned home from Japan in the past (before the new system) who could keep their old or expired card, just with a hole in it?

Yes, I think that's possible too. It may be that if you've turned in your 転出届 (tenshutsu todoke) properly, there is no need to turn in the card. You might want to get someone to call the pension office and ask.

[AmberBear]

This is just a random theory, but I think that because of the new Resident Management system, they might not care about the old Alien Registration Card. When I got my new Resident Card, I also received my old Alien Registration Card back, also with a hole in it.

Has anyone returned home from Japan in the past (before the new system) who could keep their old or expired card, just with a hole in it?

That happened to me as well. Considering they have done away with the gaijin cards, I guess it's fine.

((finally all those times i had to hand it over and it's finally mine!!!!!! albeit with a hole in it.... BUT MINE ))