GaijinPot

Tokyoz · 2009-06-04, 05:50 PM

Hi Guys

I just wondered if you carry either your Passport (short say) or Alien Registration Card with you when you go out?

I don't have an ARC with me this time, as I'm only on 90 day visitor visa.

When I had my ARC last time I used to carry it with me in my wallet.

I hate having to carry my Passport (so I haven't been). Firstly, won't fit in my wallet, and more junk for my pockets, and second if it gets stolen it is a royal pain in the a$$.

I would guess that most tourists wouldn't even know they are supposed to carry their Passport with them whenever they go out. I've never seen notices about it, at the airport, or anywhere, not that I've looked very hard.

I've been here for 2years now, working holiday visa (ARC) and a couple of tourist visas, and have never been carded/passported by the police etc. (touch wood)

I was talking to someone the other day who has been here for 10 years, and they say they have been carded twice (both times they had their card on them) - they said if you don't carry either one, then you'll likely end up in the slammer etc. True?

Do you carry your ARC or Passport with you? What's your experience - been carded? If so, did you have Passport or ARC with you? How long have you been here? If you didn't

Just want to know what people's experiences are.

天邪鬼 · 2009-06-04, 05:55 PM

They can hold you in custody until your identity and status can be confirmed. You won't be arrested, but depending on the mood of the pig that stops you it could take them a while to verify your details.

tryfan · 2009-06-04, 05:55 PM

either passport or arc, but it is a legal requirement to have one of them on you all the time.

jail time - maybe not - just a trip to the koban, possibly calling up someone to vouch for you, fetching your id, then letter of apology afterwards. get too argumentative, a la debito, then you're looking at fines under the immigration law.

sunao · 2009-06-04, 06:21 PM

My friend and I went out to a club (in a city much smaller than Tokyo), taking only money and leaving our wallets at her home. The club got raided (due to drinking license violations or something) and everyone who didn't have their ARC on them was detained at the club.

My friend and I then had to go to the police station, fill out long forms, explain why we didn't have our card, etc. In the end, we were driven back to my friend's house so that we could show them our cards, after which we were warned never to be out without them again.

The whole process took about 3-4 hours, from the time of the "sting" to arriving at my friend's home.

天邪鬼 · 2009-06-04, 06:29 PM

they'll be tattooing gaijins before long. a big GJ on the forehead.

2009-06-04, 05:50 PM	#1
Tokyoz Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 46	Carrying passport/ARC at all times? Hi Guys I just wondered if you carry either your Passport (short say) or Alien Registration Card with you when you go out? I don't have an ARC with me this time, as I'm only on 90 day visitor visa. When I had my ARC last time I used to carry it with me in my wallet. I hate having to carry my Passport (so I haven't been). Firstly, won't fit in my wallet, and more junk for my pockets, and second if it gets stolen it is a royal pain in the a$$. I would guess that most tourists wouldn't even know they are supposed to carry their Passport with them whenever they go out. I've never seen notices about it, at the airport, or anywhere, not that I've looked very hard. I've been here for 2years now, working holiday visa (ARC) and a couple of tourist visas, and have never been carded/passported by the police etc. (touch wood) I was talking to someone the other day who has been here for 10 years, and they say they have been carded twice (both times they had their card on them) - they said if you don't carry either one, then you'll likely end up in the slammer etc. True? Do you carry your ARC or Passport with you? What's your experience - been carded? If so, did you have Passport or ARC with you? How long have you been here? If you didn't Just want to know what people's experiences are. Last edited by Tokyoz : 2009-06-04 at 05:53 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

GaijinPot

in japan

Jobs

Apartments

Classifieds

In Japan

About GaijinPot

2009-06-04, 05:55 PM	#2
天邪鬼 Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Place Your Mother Told You Never To Go Posts: 775	They can hold you in custody until your identity and status can be confirmed. You won't be arrested, but depending on the mood of the pig that stops you it could take them a while to verify your details.

2009-06-04, 05:55 PM	#3
tryfan Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 86	either passport or arc, but it is a legal requirement to have one of them on you all the time. jail time - maybe not - just a trip to the koban, possibly calling up someone to vouch for you, fetching your id, then letter of apology afterwards. get too argumentative, a la debito, then you're looking at fines under the immigration law.

2009-06-04, 06:21 PM	#4
sunao GrandMasterPot Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,609	My friend and I went out to a club (in a city much smaller than Tokyo), taking only money and leaving our wallets at her home. The club got raided (due to drinking license violations or something) and everyone who didn't have their ARC on them was detained at the club. My friend and I then had to go to the police station, fill out long forms, explain why we didn't have our card, etc. In the end, we were driven back to my friend's house so that we could show them our cards, after which we were warned never to be out without them again. The whole process took about 3-4 hours, from the time of the "sting" to arriving at my friend's home.

2009-06-04, 06:29 PM	#5
天邪鬼 Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Place Your Mother Told You Never To Go Posts: 775	they'll be tattooing gaijins before long. a big GJ on the forehead.