Japan is introducing a new integrated foreign resident ID system in 2026. Starting June 14, 2026, it will launch the Specified Residence Card (特定在留カード).
It is a single IC chip-based card that combines the existing Residence Card and My Number Card into one document.
This article covers:
- What is a residence card in Japan?
- How do I get a Japanese Residence Card?
- What is a My Number Card in Japan?
- How do I get My Number Card in Japan?
- What is a Specified Residence Card in Japan?
- How do I get Specified Residence Card in Japan?
Key Takeaways:
- The Specified Residence Card launches June 14, 2026, combining two cards into one
- Adoption is fully voluntary; existing Residence Cards remain valid until expiry
- All new Residence Cards issued from June 2026 will carry a redesigned format regardless
- Expats managing visa renewals and tax records benefit most from the integrated card
My contact details are hello@adamfayed.com and WhatsApp +44-7393-450-837 if you have any questions.
For digital nomad or residence visas that require income, assets, or qualifying investments, we can help structure suitable investment solutions that may align with those requirements, depending on your circumstances.
The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
What is the New Specified Residence Card in Japan?
The Specified Residence Card (特定在留カード, Tokutei Zairyu Card) is a new integrated identity document that combines the functions of both the Residence Card and the My Number Card into a single IC chip-based credential.
It is issued by the Immigration Services Agency starting June 14, 2026, and legally qualifies as a My Number Card under Japan’s Number Use Act.
It covers everything from immigration status verification to health insurance, tax identification, and online government access, all from one card.
How much does the Specified Residence Card cost?
No additional fee is charged for the Specified Residence Card application itself.
Standard immigration procedure fees, such as ¥6,000 for a visa extension, still apply as they would for any regular Residence Card renewal.
Since the new card is applied for simultaneously during these procedures, there is no separate processing cost.
What are the benefits of the Specified Residence Card?
The Specified Residence Card solves one of the most persistent inconveniences for foreign residents in Japan.
Previously, foreign residents often needed to visit both Immigration and City Hall for overlapping procedures.
The Specified Residence Card combines immigration status and My Number functions into one document.
This reduces duplicate paperwork and eliminates the need for separate Immigration Bureau and city hall updates in many cases.
How long is the Specified Residence Card valid?
For regular mid-to-long-term residents, validity remains aligned with the authorized period of stay.
For permanent residents and Special Permanent Residents, the new system extends card validity.
Under the new June 2026 rules, cards for permanent residents are valid until the 10th birthday after issuance, extended from the current 7th birthday.
For residents under 18, validity runs until the 5th birthday after issuance.
How long does issuance take?
Applications are accepted starting June 15, 2026 (the first business day after the June 14 launch).
Issuance timelines follow the same schedule as standard Residence Card procedures.
In-person collection at the Immigration Bureau or municipal office is mandatory, no proxy pickup is permitted.
How do you renew the Specified Residence Card?
The Specified Residence Card is renewed during your next qualifying immigration procedure.
This includes extensions of stay, changes of status of residence, permanent residence applications, or validity renewals for permanent residents.
You apply for the new card simultaneously with whichever of these procedures applies to your situation, no separate renewal visit is required.
What happens if you lose the card?
If you lose the Specified Residence Card, you are legally required to apply for reissuance within 14 days.
Failure to do so can result in immigration penalties.
Because the card combines two functions, losing it also means suspending the My Number function, which must be done immediately by calling the 24/7 hotline: 0120-95-0178.
Filing a police report (ishitsu todoke) is also required before the reissuance application at Immigration.
Why is Japan introducing the new Specified Residence Card?
Japan is introducing the Specified Residence Card to simplify identity verification and reduce duplicated administrative procedures for foreign residents.
The integrated IC chip combines immigration status and My Number functions into a single credential, reducing the need for separate updates across Immigration and municipal offices.
The new format also supports expanded digital verification and online government services.
Who needs to switch to the new card?
No one is required to switch. The Specified Residence Card is entirely voluntary.
Your existing Residence Card remains valid until its printed expiry date, and you may continue using your separate My Number Card alongside it with no disruption.
Switching makes the most practical sense when your next immigration procedure is due, that is the most efficient moment to request the integrated card.
Most foreign residents will likely switch during their next visa renewal or residence status update rather than immediately after launch.
How do you apply for the Specified Residence Card in Japan?
The application is submitted in person during an eligible immigration or municipal procedure.
Required documents:
- Completed Specified Residence Card application form
- PIN setup request form (for My Number functions)
- One passport-style photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within 6 months)
- Documents required for the underlying immigration or address procedure
You can apply at the Immigration Bureau alongside a visa extension, change of status, permanent residence application, or card reissuance.
At your local municipal office, you can apply when registering a new address or reporting an address change.
Applications currently require in-person processing. Online-only applications are not available.
Is Japan Specified Residence Card mandatory?
No. The Specified Residence Card is completely optional. You are under no legal obligation to apply.
Your existing Residence Card and My Number Card remain valid and fully functional until they expire.
The decision to switch should be based on convenience, particularly whether you frequently manage both immigration and administrative procedures simultaneously.
What is the Residence Card in Japan?
The Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) is the primary government-issued identity document for foreign nationals living in Japan on a mid-to-long-term basis.
It confirms your legal right to reside in the country and must be carried at all times by residents aged 16 and older.
The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) issues the card upon entry at a major port or airport to eligible foreign nationals.
It serves as proof of legal status in Japan and is required for activities such as opening a bank account, signing a lease, or enrolling in the national health insurance system.
What information is included in a Japanese Residence Card?
A Japanese Residence Card includes personal details, address, residence status, period of stay, work permissions, and card validity.
From June 2026, some immigration details will move from the card surface to the embedded IC chip and become accessible through official digital verification tools.
How to get a residence card in Japan?
You receive a Residence Card automatically if you arrive in Japan with a qualifying mid-to-long-term residence status.
The card is issued directly at the port of entry after immigration clearance.
If you change your address after arrival, you must report this to your local municipal office within 14 days.
For renewals, status changes, or reissuance due to loss or damage, you apply directly at your regional Immigration Services Bureau.
How much is a residence card in Japan?
The Residence Card itself carries no direct issuance fee. However, the underlying visa procedures, such as extension of stay or change of status, carry government fees.
Since April 2025, extension and change-of-status applications cost ¥6,000 (or ¥5,500 for online submissions).
Reissuance after loss or theft may involve administrative procedures and supporting documentation requirements.
What is the My Number Card in Japan?
The My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) is an optional national identity card issued to all residents of Japan, Japanese citizens and foreign nationals alike.
It contains a unique 12-digit Individual Number used for tax, social security, and administrative purposes.
It functions as Japan’s national tax and administrative identification number.
Unlike the Residence Card, which proves immigration status, the My Number Card links your identity to Japan’s national administrative database.
Can a foreigner get a My Number Card in Japan?
Yes. Foreign nationals who have registered an address in Japan and hold a Residence Card are eligible to get a My Number Card.
To qualify, you must be a mid-to-long-term resident staying more than three months with a registered address at your local ward or city office.
Short-term visitors and tourists are not eligible.
Once registered, you receive a notification card and application form by mail, and you can apply online or in person.
How much is My Number Card in Japan?
Issuance of the My Number Card is free of charge.
There are no application fees or processing fees for obtaining the card.
Reissuance in cases of loss or damage may involve a nominal administrative fee at your municipal office.
What are the benefits of My Number Card in Japan?
The My Number Card provides a range of practical benefits:
- Tax filing: Required for online tax return submissions via the e-Tax portal
- Health insurance: Enables the digital Myna Hokensho health insurance function
- Banking: Accepted as identity verification when opening accounts
- Government services: Provides access to the My Na Portal for online administrative tasks
- Passport applications and driver’s license: Accepted as a qualifying ID document
For expats, the card also matters financially.
It links you to Japan’s tax residency records, which affects how foreign-sourced income is assessed, a critical point for those managing assets or investments outside Japan.
How many days to get My Number Card in Japan?
Processing typically takes around 3 to 4 weeks from the date of application.
After submitting your application, by mail or online, the card is prepared and you receive a postcard notification to collect it in person at your local municipal office.
You cannot have someone else pick it up on your behalf.
What is the difference between Japan’s Residence Card and new Specified Residence Card?
The new Specified Residence Card combines immigration status and My Number functions into a single integrated ID system, reducing duplicate administrative procedures for foreign residents in Japan.
The biggest changes involve My Number integration, data storage, office procedures, and card functionality.
- My Number integration:
The existing residence card requires a separate My Number card, while the new Specified Residence Card (2026) will have My Number functionality built in.
- Office visits:
Current residents often need to visit both Immigration and City Hall for updates, whereas the 2026 card aims to streamline the process through Immigration only.
- IC chip storage:
The existing card stores limited information, but the new card will contain full visa details along with My Number data.
- My Number display:
Current residence cards do not print the My Number on the card, while the new version will display it on the back.
- Photo requirements:
Under the current system, children under 16 do not require a photo, but the 2026 card will require one.
- Optional adoption:
The Specified Residence Card will be fully voluntary, unlike the current residence card system which serves as the standard format.
FAQs
Is My Number Card mandatory in Japan?
No. The My Number Card is optional for both Japanese citizens and foreign residents, though it is increasingly used for health insurance, tax filing, and digital government services.
Who gets a residence card in Japan?
Foreign nationals staying in Japan on a mid-to-long-term visa receive a Residence Card. Tourists and short-term visitors do not qualify.
Does Japan have a permanent resident card?
Yes. Permanent residents receive a Residence Card showing their status. Under the 2026 rules, newly issued cards remain valid for 10 years.
Do I need a residence card in Japan?
Yes. Mid-to-long-term foreign residents aged 16 or older must carry their Residence Card at all times under Japanese law.
How long can I stay in Japan without being a resident?
Most tourists can stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a Residence Card.
Longer stays for work, study, or family purposes require residency status.
Pained by financial indecision?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.