Immigration
入管 Notice: Immigration Document-Request / Appearance Notice Explained (and scams)
This notice is an official letter from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, 入管). It usually asks you to submit additional documents (資料) or to appear (出頭) at an immigration office. During the review of a residence-status application, renewal or change, you may be asked for supporting materials about income, tax or residence status, or to appear for a fact check. ⛔ Deadlines are strict — failing to respond by the stated date can stall the review or hurt your residence status. First, calmly check WHAT is asked (documents or appearance) and BY WHEN. For complex or worrying cases, consulting a 行政書士 (immigration lawyer certified for filings / 申請取次) is wise.
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⛔ Beware immigration-impersonation scams: a call, SMS or automated voice claims 'there is a problem with your visa / residence' or 'pay a fine or you'll be deported', creates fear, and demands payment by prepaid card, ATM or a transfer app. That is a scam. Genuine contact from Immigration is by post or through official procedures and appointments, never a phone demand for immediate payment. If unsure, hang up, call back the official immigration main number you looked up yourself to verify, and talk to someone you trust or a specialist (行政書士).
Who receives it
Foreign residents who have a residence-status application, renewal or change in progress receive these from 入管. Being asked for extra materials mid-review is common — proof of income, tax certificates, employment or status documents. If you applied as a family, materials for family members may be requested too. ⛔ On the other hand, a call or SMS pressuring you that 'there is a problem with your visa, pay now' is very likely an immigration-impersonation scam — verify the notice is genuine first.
What to do
- 1Confirm the sender is the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, 入管).
- 2Read what is asked: submitting additional documents or appearing at the office — and note the deadline.
- 3For a document request, gather exactly the listed documents by the deadline and submit them the way instructed (post, counter, online). Always keep copies of what you submit.
- 4If asked to appear, go to the immigration office in person on the given date. If you can't, contact the number on the notice early to discuss.
- 5If you don't understand it or can't handle it alone, contact the immigration office on the notice, or consult a specialist such as a 行政書士 certified for filings (申請取次).
About the deadline
Document-request and appearance notices usually state a deadline. ⛔ Missing it, or not responding without good reason, can stall the review or count against your residence-status decision. Exact deadlines and required documents differ per notice, so always check the date, submission address and contact details printed on your own notice. If you genuinely can't make it in time, don't ignore it — contact the immigration office before the deadline to discuss.
Common misunderstandings
- I can't gather the additional documents in time. What do I do?
- Ignoring it is the worst move. Before the deadline, contact the immigration office printed on the notice yourself, explain your situation, and discuss the submission method and timing. Missing the deadline without notice can count against your review.
- It says 'appear' (出頭). Does that mean something bad?
- Not necessarily. It can simply be asking you to come in for a fact check or a procedure. But it is important — go on the given date, or contact them in advance if you can't. If the content worries you, consulting a specialist is reassuring.
- The content is difficult; I'm unsure I can handle it myself.
- Residence-status procedures can be handled by a 行政書士 certified for filings (申請取次). For complex cases or where there's a risk of denial, consult a specialist with time to spare before the deadline. Always keep copies of what you submit.
- A caller said 'there's a problem with your visa, pay a fine now'.
- Immigration does not phone or text demanding an immediate fine or fee, and never tells you to pay via prepaid card or ATM. It is very likely a scam. Don't comply; hang up and call back the official immigration main number (from the notice or the official website) yourself to verify.
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This page is general information. For your own case, confirm with the office that issued the document, or with a qualified professional.