The key decisions to make pre-paperwork, common pitfalls to avoid, and a step-by-step checklist to guide you on your journey.

Don’t forget these procedures when leaving Japan. Bookmark this checklist to help you navigate this stressful period with a little more ease and grace.

Nobody loves paperwork. But learning a couple of dos and don’ts could help you hate it less. Make life easier for yourself by reviewing these 9 common paperwork mistakes that foreigners—and even Japanese—frequently make.