✈️ Leaving Japan — Complete Guide to Exit Procedures
Everything you need to do before leaving Japan: moving-out notification, pension withdrawal, tax settlement, insurance cancellation, and utility cancellation.
Quick Answer
Before leaving Japan, you must submit a moving-out notification at city hall, settle outstanding taxes, cancel health insurance and pension (and apply for pension lump-sum withdrawal within 2 years of departure), cancel utility contracts, and close or maintain your bank account. Complete most procedures 1-2 weeks before departure.
Moving-Out Notification (転出届 / Tenshutsu Todoke)
Quick Answer
Submit a moving-out notification at your local city hall up to 14 days before your departure date. This deregisters your address and triggers the cancellation process for municipal services. Bring your residence card, passport, My Number card, and health insurance card.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Where | Your local city hall or ward office (住民課) |
| 📅 When | Up to 14 days before departure |
| 💰 Cost | Free |
| 📋 Documents | Residence card, passport, My Number card, health insurance card |
Get a 転出届 form and fill in your departure date and destination country
Return your NHI card at the insurance counter
Surrender your My Number card or notification card
Keep the moving-out certificate (転出証明書) — you may need it for pension withdrawal
⚠️ Residence Card at Departure
You must return your residence card to the immigration officer at the airport when departing. If you have a re-entry permit and plan to return, you can keep it.
Pension Lump-Sum Withdrawal (脱退一時金)
Quick Answer
Foreign residents who paid into the National Pension or Employees' Pension for 6+ months can apply for a lump-sum withdrawal within 2 years of leaving Japan. The maximum refundable period is 60 months. Apply by mail to the Japan Pension Service after departure.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📋 Eligibility | 6+ months of pension contributions, no longer residing in Japan |
| 📅 Deadline | Within 2 years of leaving Japan |
| 💰 Max Period | 60 months (5 years) of contributions refundable |
| 🏦 Payment | Deposited to your overseas bank account |
Estimated Refund Amounts (National Pension)
~¥50,000
6 months
~¥300,000
36 months (3 yrs)
~¥500,000
60 months (5 yrs)
💡 Tax Refund on Withdrawal
A 20.42% income tax is withheld from the lump-sum withdrawal. You can reclaim this by appointing a tax representative in Japan before departure and filing a tax return. The tax representative form (納税管理人届出書) should be submitted to your local tax office before leaving.
⚠️ Important: Social Security Agreements
If your country has a social security agreement with Japan (USA, UK, Germany, Korea, etc.), your pension contributions may be transferable. Taking the lump-sum withdrawal may forfeit this option. Research your country's agreement before deciding.
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Free Insurance Consultation →Tax Settlement Before Departure
Quick Answer
Before leaving Japan, settle any outstanding resident tax (paid until June of the following year) and file a final tax return if needed. Appoint a tax representative (納税管理人) if you have obligations that extend beyond your departure.
| Tax Type | Settlement Required | How |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Tax (住民税) | Pay remaining balance through departure month | Pay at city hall or appoint a tax rep |
| Income Tax (所得税) | Final tax return if self-employed or mid-year departure | File at tax office before departure |
| Year-End Adjustment | Employer handles if leaving mid-employment | Request from employer |
📝 Tax Representative (納税管理人)
- • Required if taxes are owed after departure
- • Can be a friend, employer, or professional
- • Submit the form to your city hall AND tax office
- • They handle your remaining tax obligations
💰 Resident Tax Timeline
- • Based on income from Jan 1 - Dec 31 of previous year
- • Billed from June of current year to May of next year
- • If you leave in October 2026, you still owe through May 2027
- • Pay the full balance before departure or via tax rep
🚨 Don't Skip This
Unpaid taxes can cause problems if you return to Japan in the future. Outstanding tax obligations may affect visa applications and permanent residence eligibility. Settle everything before departure or appoint a tax representative.
Insurance Cancellation
Quick Answer
Cancel your National Health Insurance at city hall when you submit your moving-out notification. If you have employer insurance (Shakai Hoken), your employer handles the cancellation. Pay any outstanding premiums and return your insurance card.
| Insurance Type | How to Cancel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🏥 NHI (国民健康保険) | Cancel at city hall insurance counter | Return insurance card; pay outstanding premiums |
| 🏢 Employer Insurance | Employer cancels upon resignation | Return insurance card to employer |
| 👴 National Pension | Automatically cancels with moving-out | Apply for lump-sum withdrawal after departure |
💡 Timing
Cancel your NHI on the day you submit your moving-out notification — do both at city hall in one visit. Your insurance coverage continues until your registered departure date. If you need medical care between cancellation and departure, keep receipts for potential reimbursement.
⚠️ Outstanding Premiums
If you have unpaid NHI premiums, settle them before departing. Unpaid premiums can accrue penalties and may cause issues if you return to Japan.
Check Required Procedures
Check Required Procedures →Utility Cancellation & Deposit Refunds
Quick Answer
Cancel electricity, gas, water, internet, and phone contracts 1-2 weeks before departure. Contact each provider to schedule disconnection. Gas requires an in-person visit for final meter reading. Collect apartment deposit refund from your landlord after move-out inspection.
| Service | How to Cancel | Notice Period |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Electricity | Call or website | 1 week before |
| 🔥 Gas | Call (requires in-person meter reading) | 1-2 weeks before |
| 💧 Water | Call or website | 1 week before |
| 📱 Phone / SIM | Visit shop or call | Check contract for early termination fees |
| 🌐 Internet | Call provider | 1 month (may have cancellation fee) |
Apartment Move-Out Checklist
💡 Deposit Refund
Your deposit (敷金) should be returned minus cleaning fees and any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Typical cleaning fee deduction is 30,000-50,000 yen. If the deduction seems excessive, request an itemized breakdown. The deposit refund is usually transferred to your bank account within 1-2 months after move-out.
⚠️ Bank Account
Keep your Japanese bank account open until your deposit refund and pension lump-sum withdrawal are received. You can designate an overseas bank account for the pension refund if needed. Some banks may close your account when your residence status is canceled — confirm with your bank before departure.
Steps
- 1
Notify your landlord
Give your landlord or real estate agency 1-2 months notice of your move-out date as specified in your lease contract.
- 2
Submit moving-out notification
Visit city hall up to 14 days before departure. Submit the moving-out form, return your NHI card and My Number card, and settle any outstanding taxes.
- 3
Apply for pension lump-sum withdrawal
After leaving Japan, mail the lump-sum withdrawal application to the Japan Pension Service within 2 years. Appoint a tax representative before departure to reclaim the 20.42% withholding tax.
- 4
Cancel utilities and contracts
Cancel electricity, gas, water, internet, and phone 1-2 weeks before departure. Return any rented equipment (Wi-Fi router, etc.).
- 5
Complete apartment move-out
Clean the apartment, dispose of garbage properly, attend the move-out inspection, return keys, and confirm the deposit refund process.
FAQ
When should I start preparing to leave Japan?
Can I get my pension contributions back?
What happens to my bank account when I leave Japan?
Do I need to return my residence card?
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Free Insurance Consultation →Related Procedures
Leaving Japan — Prefectures
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