International Students: Japan First Week Checklist

The first thing to confirm is your Residence Card and, if you plan to work part-time, whether you need to apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted. Getting this right early makes your address registration and part-time job search much smoother.

Check if your Residence Card was issued

If you enter Japan as a mid- to long-term resident, your Residence Card may be issued at the time of landing permission at major airports (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka). First, make sure you have your Residence Card.

Check the information printed on your Residence Card

Once you receive your Residence Card, check the details immediately. If you notice an error later, it can take time to fix.

・Name: Does it match your passport spelling?

・Status of Residence: Is it “Student” (留学 / Study)?

・Period of Stay: Is the expiry date what you expected?

If you want a part-time job, apply for “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted”

If international students do paid work (including part-time jobs), they generally need Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted. Before you start working, make sure you understand how to apply.

Your first week comes with a lot of tasks, so it helps to follow a clear order.
The recommended flow is: Get SIM / Wi-Fi → Do city hall procedures in one visit → Open a bank account.

Day 0–1: Get connected + prepare for city hall

On the day you arrive and the next day, secure a reliable way to stay connected. Once you have internet, maps, translation, booking, and document checks become much easier.

・Get SIM / Wi-Fi (airport / shop / online)

・Organize your address information (official address format, contract documents, move-in guide, etc.)

・Gather what you’ll need for paperwork (Residence Card, passport, proof of address, etc.)

Many students get stuck on “I don’t know how to write my address” or “I’m missing documents,” so it’s smart to collect address-related documents first.

Day 2–7: City hall procedures → Bank

Once your address is decided, do the key procedures at your city/ward office. After this, insurance and banking become much easier.

・Register your address (moving-in notification) + update Residence Card address

・Enroll in National Health Insurance (if applicable)

・Pension: check exemption / postponement options

・Confirm how to apply for the My Number Card (optional)

・Open a bank account

When you have time: payments, budgeting, and your next step

Once the basics are done, daily life feels much more stable. When you have extra time, set up the things that make your life easier.

・Set up payments (bank transfer, cards, auto-pay, etc.)

・Review your monthly budget (mobile bills, rent, shopping habits)

・Start looking for a part-time job (filter by conditions that fit you)

One of the first things international students to do in Japan is to get connected. With SIM or Wi-Fi, you can use maps, translation, messaging, and reservations—making every other procedure easier.

How to choose: SIM, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi

What you may need to sign up

Requirements vary by provider and plan, but these items are commonly requested:

・ID: Residence Card, passport

・Address: Your address in Japan (conditions may differ before address registration)

・Payment method: Credit card / bank transfer (options may be limited right after arrival)

・Device: SIM-free/unlocked, supported bands, eSIM compatibility

If you’re not confident in Japanese

If Japanese isn’t your strongest language, choose a provider with multilingual support or clear setup guidance. A good rule is: “Can I set it up myself—and can I get help if I’m stuck?”

Address registration, insurance, pension, and My Number are all easier if you handle them in one trip to your city/ward office.

① Address registration (moving-in notification)

Start with address registration. After this, insurance, pension, and banking become much easier. As a general guide, you should submit your address within 14 days of moving in (follow your municipality’s guidance).

② National Health Insurance

After address registration, if you meet the conditions, you’ll enroll in National Health Insurance. Whether you need it and deadlines depend on your municipality—follow their instructions.

③ National Pension (student exemption / postponement)

Depending on your situation, international students may fall under National Pension. Students can often use a system that postpones payments (student special payment system). If you have little income or you’re unsure right after arrival, it’s safest to ask about it at city hall and apply at the same time.

④ Receive your My Number + apply for the My Number Card (optional)

After you register your address, you’ll be assigned your personal 12-digit My Number.

Getting a My Number Card is optional. If you have one, it can be used as an ID, and in many cases you can get certificates (like a residence certificate) at convenience stores without visiting city hall—making daily life easier.

If you want the My Number Card, check your mailbox after address registration. You’ll receive a My Number Notification, and you can apply using the enclosed My Number Card Application Form by mail. You may also be able to apply online or via photo booths in town.

Once your life in Japan starts, you may need a bank account for rent payments, mobile bill withdrawals, and receiving part-time salary.
Because the first week is busy, it’s usually smoother to proceed after your address registration is completed.

When you’ll need a bank account

・Rent auto-withdrawal

・Mobile and utility payments

・Receiving part-time wages

・Transfers and domestic remittance

Even if you think cash is enough, many people realize later they need an account—so preparing within the first week can be reassuring.

How to think about required documents

Requirements differ by bank, but these are commonly requested:

Common hurdles right after arrival

・Short period of stay → Some banks may have restrictions

・Japanese confirmation questions → Prepare to answer basic questions if needed

・No Japanese phone number yet → Getting SIM first helps

・Address verification issues → It’s safer to apply after address registration

Here’s a quick check-only list of what we covered. Tick things off as you go.

Day 0–1

Day 2–7

Once you finish the first-week procedures, your daily life becomes much more stable. From here, focus on small adjustments that help you stay on track.

Set up payment methods

After you have a bank account, set up auto-pay or card payments for rent, mobile bills, and utilities. It helps prevent missed payments and keeps life smoother.

Review your budget

Once you organize mobile costs, rent, and food expenses, you’ll clearly see your monthly budget. Doing this early reduces stress later.

Start looking for a part-time job that fits you

When your basics are in place, look for a part-time job with conditions you can handle. If Japanese feels challenging, starting with roles that require less conversation or workplaces experienced in hiring international staff can feel safer.

When searching, it’s efficient to use services that let you filter by “No Japanese required,” “International staff,” or “No experience OK.”
YOLO JAPAN, a job site for foreign residents, has many beginner-friendly listings to help you apply with confidence.

If you follow the order → paperwork → stable daily life → job search, you can start your new life in Japan without pushing yourself too hard.

The first week can feel like a lot, but you’ll be fine if you do things in order.
Take it step by step—your life in Japan will settle down little by little.