Residence cards in Japan, Singapore and Korea

In Japan, you usually receive your residence card at the airport, then register your address at the city or ward office within 14 days of finding a place to live; this also enrols you in health insurance and pension schemes. In Singapore, your Employment Pass card is issued after the in-principle approval, your arrival and any required registration, and your employer handles most of it.

In South Korea, foreigners staying longer than 90 days register for a residence card at the immigration office within 90 days of entry. In each country you need the card for a bank account and a phone contract, and some services expect a local phone number first.