Hyphen (-) in names on the ARC

1What happened?

The name on the Alien Registration Card (ARC) follows the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your home-country passport. It is up to 39 characters including spaces, in the order surname then given name.

The ARC has less space than a passport. If a name runs past one line, a hyphen (-) is used instead of a space to show the name continues. Example: the real name SAMPLESAMPLE MUSLIMA appears as SAMPLESAMPLE MUS- on line 1 and LIMA on line 2.

The full name is shown in the QR code on the front and on the back of the card. When the Ministry of Justice gives personal information to outside agencies, it provides the real name without the hyphen.

2How does it affect me?

If your ARC shows a hyphen because your name is long, your name is not misspelled. The hyphen is not part of your real name. If your name fits on one line, this does not apply to you.

3What should I do?

1. 1For identity checks, use the full name on the back of the card or the front QR code.
2. 2Do not write the hyphen as part of your name on forms. Write it the same as on your passport.
3. 3If your name looks different from your passport, ask 1345 or your local immigration office.