Leaving Japan with a Baby: Emigration, Re-entry Permits & What to Know (2026)

May 31, 2026 Maternity Prep Navigator Editorial ~14 min read

Whether you are going home for a visit with your new baby or permanently leaving Japan, there are important administrative steps to take — both for yourself and for your baby, who has their own residence status and (usually) residence card. This guide walks you through the key distinctions and procedures in plain language.

1. Temporary Departure vs. Full Emigration: The Key Distinction

Before you start any paperwork, it helps to be clear about which situation applies to you:

• Temporary departure (short-term trip, home visit): You plan to return to Japan. Your residence status (zairyuu shikaku) remains valid. You keep your address registration, health insurance, and other entitlements in place. You need to deal with a re-entry permit (see Section 2).
• Full emigration (permanent return or relocation abroad): You are leaving Japan for good, or at least do not plan to return under your current residence status. You will need to cancel your address registration, withdraw from health insurance and pension, stop any benefits, and close or consolidate accounts and contracts before you go.

In practice, some families find themselves in an in-between situation — for example, leaving Japan for an extended period with the intention of returning at some point. If you are away for more than approximately one year, the deemed re-entry permit (explained below) will not be sufficient, and you will need to take additional steps to preserve your status. When in doubt, consult the Immigration Services Agency or a qualified immigration specialist well in advance.

2. Re-entry Permits: Deemed and Formal

Deemed re-entry permit (minashi sainyuukoku kyoka)

Most mid- to long-term residents of Japan who hold a valid residence card (zairyuu kaado) can leave Japan and return without obtaining a formal re-entry permit, as long as they return within one year of departure (or before their residence card expires, whichever comes first). Special permanent residents have a longer deemed re-entry validity period — generally two years from departure rather than one. This is called the deemed re-entry permit system (minashi sainyuukoku kyoka). To use it, you tick the relevant box on the re-entry ED card (a dedicated embarkation/disembarkation card for re-entry) presented at the airport when leaving Japan. Note that short-term visitors and people whose period of stay is three months or less are not eligible for the deemed re-entry permit and must obtain a formal one.

Formal re-entry permit (sainyuukoku kyoka)

If you plan to be outside Japan for longer than the deemed re-entry period (generally more than one year from departure), you need to obtain a formal re-entry permit from the Immigration Services Agency before you leave. A formal re-entry permit can be issued for a period of up to five years (up to six years for special permanent residents), not exceeding your remaining period of stay — confirm the details with the ISA. You can apply at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau or branch office, or in some cases at a designated post office.

What happens if you do not get a re-entry permit?

If you leave Japan without using the deemed re-entry system and without a formal re-entry permit, your residence status will generally be extinguished upon departure. This means you would need to apply for a new visa to return to Japan. If preserving your current residence status matters to you, make sure you handle the re-entry permit before leaving.

3. Your Baby's Residence Status and Re-entry

This is a point that parents sometimes overlook: your baby has their own residence status and — once it has been issued — their own residence card. The re-entry permit rules apply to your baby just as they apply to you. You need to handle the deemed re-entry or formal re-entry permit for your child separately from your own.

Babies born in Japan: residence card timing

A baby born in Japan to foreign parents may remain in Japan for up to 60 days after birth without a residence status; if the baby will stay longer, an application to acquire residence status must be filed within 30 days of birth. The residence card (zairyuu kaado) is not issued automatically at the time of birth — it is issued after the birth has been registered and the application has been processed. There is a transition period during which the baby has a residence status on record but has not yet received a card. Before you leave Japan with your baby, confirm that your baby's residence card has been issued and is in your possession.

Babies without a residence card yet

If your baby's residence card has not yet been issued at the time of your planned departure, contact the Regional Immigration Services Bureau as soon as possible. In some cases, expedited processing may be available; in other cases, you may need to delay your departure until the card is issued, or take alternative steps. Do not leave this until the last minute.

Deemed re-entry for your baby

If your baby has a valid residence card and you are leaving Japan temporarily within the deemed re-entry validity period, complete the deemed re-entry section on your baby's re-entry ED card at the airport, just as you would for yourself. Carry your baby's residence card with you when travelling.

4. Full Emigration: Administrative Steps Before You Leave

If you are leaving Japan permanently (or for an extended period from which you do not plan to return under your current status), the following steps are generally required. The exact set of steps and the order in which to take them will depend on your personal situation — confirm with your municipal office and relevant agencies well before your departure date.

Municipal de-registration (tenshutsu todoke)

Submit a move-out notification (tenshutsu todoke) at your municipal office (city hall, ward office, etc.) before you leave Japan. This removes you — and your baby — from the resident register (juumin touroku). Bring your residence cards, passports, and your planned departure date. Some municipalities allow you to submit this form up to a few weeks before departure; confirm the timing with your office. Note that once you are de-registered, the municipal-based services described below will also end.

National Health Insurance withdrawal (kokumin kenkou hoken)

If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance (kokumin kenkou hoken), submit a withdrawal notification at your municipal office. This is typically done at the same time as, or immediately after, the move-out notification. Return your insurance card(s) when you submit the withdrawal. If you or your baby have ongoing medical claims, settle these or confirm their status before de-registration.

National Pension (kokumin nenkin) lump-sum withdrawal

Foreign nationals who have paid into Japan's National Pension (kokumin nenkin) system and are leaving Japan permanently may be eligible to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (dattai ichijikin) from the Japan Pension Service. Several conditions apply — for example, you must not hold Japanese nationality, must have at least six months of contributions, must no longer have an address in Japan, must not already meet the qualifying period for an old-age pension (10 years), and must never have been entitled to a disability pension. The claim must be filed after you leave Japan, generally within two years of losing your address in Japan. Confirm the full set of conditions and the current deadline with the Japan Pension Service before you leave. Note that claiming the lump-sum withdrawal means forfeiting any future pension entitlement from those contributions.

Child allowance (jidou teate) and infant medical fee assistance

If you are receiving child allowance (jidou teate) or local infant medical fee assistance (nyuuyouji iryouhi josei), notify your municipal office to stop these payments. Failing to do so may result in overpayments that you will need to repay. Do this at the same visit where you submit your move-out notification.

Nursery school / daycare cancellation

If your child is enrolled in a recognised nursery school (hoikuen) or similar facility, notify the facility and your municipal office of your withdrawal as early as possible — ideally at least one month in advance where possible.

My Number Card (My Number Card)

If you hold a My Number Card (Individual Number Card), return it to your municipal office when you complete your move-out notification. The individual number itself (My Number / kojin bangou) is not cancelled, but the physical card becomes invalid once you are de-registered. The same applies to your baby's card if one has been issued.

Bank accounts, mobile contracts, and utilities

Contact your bank to close or manage your account before departure. Japanese banks generally require an in-person visit or a formal process to close accounts — do not simply leave an account inactive without notifying the bank. Cancel or port your mobile phone contract, and settle or transfer electricity, gas, water, and internet accounts. If you have outstanding tax obligations in Japan, consult a tax accountant or the tax office about how to handle these before you leave.

5. Flying with an Infant from Japan

Lap infant (no seat) age rules

Most airlines allow infants under two years of age to travel as a lap infant (hizaue youji) — seated on a parent's lap without a separate seat — at a reduced fare or, on some domestic routes, for free. The exact age cut-off and fare vary by airline and route. Check your airline's current policy at the time of booking, as these rules differ between carriers and can change.

Required documents for your baby

Your baby needs their own valid passport for international travel. If your baby was born in Japan and holds citizenship of another country, you will need to have obtained their passport from that country's embassy or consulate in Japan before departure. Make sure the passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip. Additionally, depending on your destination, your baby may need a visa or entry documentation — check with the relevant embassy or consulate well in advance.

Strollers and child safety seats

Most airlines allow a collapsible stroller to be checked at the gate and collected at the arrival gate, free of charge — but policies differ by airline, aircraft type, and route. If you want to use a child safety seat in the aircraft cabin, confirm in advance with your airline whether the seat you have is approved for in-flight use and what the booking requirements are (a separate seat ticket for your child is typically required). Contact your airline directly for the most current rules.

Bassinet and cabin facilities

Many international long-haul flights offer bassinet seats (bulkhead seats with a fixed bassinet) for infants under a certain weight limit. Availability is limited and these seats are typically allocated on request at booking or check-in — they are not guaranteed. Check with your airline when booking.

6. Make Sure Passports and Birth Registration Are in Order First

Before you begin the departure procedures described above, make sure the foundational documents for your baby are in place. Specifically:

• Birth registration in Japan (shusshou todoke): Must be completed at the municipal office within 14 days of birth. This is a prerequisite for most other procedures, including residence status registration and obtaining a Japanese or foreign passport for your child.
• Foreign nationality passport: If your baby holds citizenship of your home country or another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate in Japan to obtain your baby's passport. Processing times vary — start early.
• Residence status registration for your baby: For a newborn born in Japan to foreign parents who will remain in Japan beyond 60 days, an application to acquire residence status must be filed within 30 days of birth. The baby's residence card is issued thereafter. This is required before the baby can use the deemed re-entry permit system.

For detailed guidance on birth registration and nationality procedures, see: Birth Registration in Japan for Binational Families. For residence status registration for your newborn, see: Dependent Visa & Residence Status for Your Newborn in Japan.

7. FAQ

We are going on a three-month trip overseas. Do we need a re-entry permit?

If both you and your baby hold valid residence cards and your trip will be less than one year from the date of departure, you can generally use the deemed re-entry permit (minashi sainyuukoku kyoka) system. At the airport on departure, tick the deemed re-entry box on the re-entry ED cards — one for each person, including your baby. Carry your residence cards with you throughout the trip. Confirm the current validity period with the ISA before you travel, as rules may change.

Our baby's residence card has not arrived yet. Can we still leave Japan?

Leaving Japan before your baby's residence card has been issued may create complications for your baby's re-entry. Contact your Regional Immigration Services Bureau as soon as possible to clarify the current status and options for your specific situation. Do not assume it is fine to leave without the card — get official guidance first.

We are leaving Japan permanently. When should we submit the move-out notification?

The move-out notification (tenshutsu todoke) can generally be submitted to your municipal office up to a certain number of days before your departure date — the accepted window varies by municipality. Aim to visit your municipal office at least two to three weeks before departure to allow time for all related procedures (health insurance withdrawal, stopping benefits, etc.) to be completed in the same visit or nearby visits. Confirm the timing rule with your specific municipal office.

Can we claim the National Pension lump-sum withdrawal?

Foreign nationals who have paid into Japan's National Pension for at least six months and are leaving Japan permanently may be eligible to apply for the lump-sum withdrawal payment (dattai ichijikin). Other conditions also apply — for example, you must not hold Japanese nationality, must no longer have an address in Japan, must not already meet the qualifying period for an old-age pension, and must never have been entitled to a disability pension. The application must be submitted to the Japan Pension Service after you have left Japan, generally within two years of losing your address in Japan. Confirm current eligibility conditions, the application process, and the deadline with the Japan Pension Service before your departure. Note that claiming this payment forfeits any future pension entitlement from those contributions.

Our baby is only a few weeks old. Is it safe to fly?

Whether it is medically appropriate to fly with a very young infant depends on your baby's health, gestational age at birth, and other factors. This is a question for your paediatrician, not an administrative one. Most airlines also have their own policies on the minimum age for infant passengers — check directly with your carrier. Always confirm with your baby's doctor before booking any flight.

Do we need to cancel our Japanese bank account before we leave?

If you are leaving Japan permanently, it is generally advisable to close or formally transfer management of your Japanese bank account rather than leaving it dormant. Dormant accounts can be subject to fees or eventual closure by the bank. Leaving funds in an unmanaged account can also create complications later. Contact your bank well before your departure to understand their process for account closure or management by a non-resident.

8. Related Resources