Alien card registration at Narita Airport

Hi all,

Just wondering how long it takes to get an alien card at Narita Airport? Arriving on a 6:30pm flight and the bus to Hakuba is at 8:30pm. Am I cutting it too close?

Kind regards,

SD.

What is an alien card?

What is your Status of Residence category?
If you are a temporary visitor, you don't get a resident card.
The term "alien" was dropped more than six years ago!

If you just need a 90-day tourist visa given at the immigration booth, 2 hours should be enough to get through immigration, pick up your luggage, and go through customs.

They (the OP) might not be eligible for a temporary visitor permit (it's not a visa), that is why the country of passport they are using is relevant - only 67 countries participate in the visa waiver program.
But the point they are asking about getting a resident card suggests they are either not a simple tourist or just confused about the process.

My apologies for using the old terminology. It is the new residence card that I need to obtain when passing through Narita. From what I have read online there is dedicated lanes at immigration for those wanting their card however I am just wondering how long the entire process takes. I am coming on working holiday visa and haven't been to Japan since I was a child.

Kind regards,
SD

You could probably just got to your local city hall once you get to where-ever you are going to live and get it issued there? Most procedures like this allow two weeks to notify where you live and get replacement/updated cards.

However, apparently it is a pretty quick process. Check https://blog.gaijinpot.com/getting-your-japanese-residence-card/

You could probably just got to your local city hall once you get to where-ever you are going to live and get it issued there?

No. You don't get to choose where it is issued; if you arrive at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, or Kansai, it is issued there.