Translation guide
The Immigration Bureau is a government agency in Japan that handles immigration control, residency status, and related procedures. This guide covers how to refer to it in Japanese.
Referring to the Immigration Bureau as an institution or government body
This is the current official name of the Immigration Bureau since 2019. It is the most accurate and formal term.
I applied at the Immigration Bureau.
This was the previous official name before the 2019 reorganization. It is still widely understood and used in conversation.
I have to go to the Immigration Bureau.
A common abbreviation for 入国管理局, used in everyday speech and news. It is casual but widely recognized.
I went to Immigration to renew my visa.
Referring to a local immigration office where you go for procedures
This is the formal name for regional immigration bureaus. Use this in official contexts or when specifying a particular branch.
The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau is in Shinagawa.
Literally 'the counter of the Immigration Bureau', used when talking about going to the office for a specific procedure.
A casual, somewhat English-influenced way to refer to the immigration office. Not commonly used in formal Japanese.
The immigration office is far from the station, huh?
In formal documents or official correspondence, use 出入国在留管理庁. In everyday conversation, 入国管理局 or simply 入管 are perfectly fine and more common. Most Japanese people will understand all three.
Do not translate 'Immigration Bureau' word-for-word as 移民局 (いみんきょく). This term is not used for the Japanese immigration authority and may cause confusion.
I received my residence card at the Immigration Bureau counter.