Japan: new formats for the residence card (在留カード) and the special permanent resident certificate (特別永住者証明書) take effect on June 14, 2026 — a facial photograph is shown on the 券面 (card face) for persons aged 1 or over and under 16 as well, and some entered items are held only on the IC chip
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
The new format applies to residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14, 2026 (令和8年), and the Immigration Services Agency states that residence cards and the like in the current format remain valid after issuance in the new format begins, so there is no need to switch to a 特定在留カード or the like or to a residence card or the like in the new format. For persons aged 1 or over and under 16, a facial photograph is shown on the 券面 (card face) of residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14; even where a person under 16 applied before June 14, if issuance falls on or after that date or is expected to, they will be asked to submit a facial photograph, and conversely, even where the photograph has been submitted by the method announced, it will not be shown if the residence card is issued before June 14. A person aged 1 or over and under 16 who applies through the online residence application system before June 14 and whose residence card is issued on or after that date cannot submit the photograph via the 「顔写真の添付欄」; the Immigration Services Agency announces the method of taking the facial photograph, converting it to PDF, naming the file 「顔写真」 and attaching it as a document in the 「資料添付欄」, and states that for those who have already applied the immigration office may individually request submission by the same method as a supplementary document. The 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」, 「許可年月日」 and 「交付年月日」, which are no longer entered on the 券面 of a residence card in the new format, are recorded on the IC chip, and it is announced that the records on the IC chip can be checked with the 「在留カード等読取アプリケーション」 provided by the Immigration Services Agency; however, the note to the same answer states that the 「交付年月日」 cannot be checked with this application and that the 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」 and 「許可年月日」 also cannot be checked 当面の間 (for the time being), so on the wording of this material none of the four items can be checked with this application at present (no other means of checking is stated in this material). As to the validity period, for residence cards issued to 永住者 (permanent residents) and 高度専門職2号 (Highly Skilled Professional (ii)), whose period of stay is indefinite, cards issued on or after June 14 run until the 10th birthday after the date of issuance (the 5th for a person under 18), and the validity period of residence cards issued to mid- to long-term residents whose period of stay is fixed continues to run until the expiry of the period of stay.
Key facts
| Effective date and scope of application | June 14, 2026 (令和8年). With the entry into force of Act No. 59 of 令和6年, the formats of the residence card (在留カード) and the special permanent resident certificate (特別永住者証明書) are renewed, and the new format applies to residence cards and the like issued on or after that date. At the same time, the item in the original text (Q4-1) states that residence cards and the like in the current format remain valid after issuance of residence cards and the like in the new format begins, so there is no need to switch to a 特定在留カード or the like or to a residence card or the like in the new format |
|---|---|
| Scope of facial photograph display | On residence cards and the like issued up to June 13, 2026, the facial photograph of a person under 16 was not shown on the 券面 (card face); on residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14 it is shown for persons aged 1 or over and under 16 as well, in the same way as on the マイナンバーカード. Even where a person under 16 made an application or the like before June 14, if issuance falls on or after that date or is expected to, they will be asked to submit a facial photograph; however, even where facial photograph data has been submitted by the method announced, the photograph will not be shown if the residence card is issued before June 14 |
| Items entered on the 券面 | The 「在留期間」 (period of stay), 「許可の種類」 (type of permission), 「許可年月日」 (date of permission) and 「交付年月日」 (date of issuance) are no longer entered on the 券面 (card face) and are recorded only on the IC chip in the card. The 券面 carries the name, date of birth, sex, country or region of nationality, address, status of residence, expiry date of the period of stay, residence card number, expiry date of validity, whether there is a work restriction, and, where permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence has been granted, a statement to that effect. As to the items entered on the 券面 of residence cards and the like in the new format, the item in the original text (Q4-2) states that they are the same as for a 特定在留カード or the like, except that the マイナンバー (individual number) is not entered on the back |
| Checking the items removed from the 券面 | The Immigration Services Agency announces that the records on the IC chip can be checked using the 「在留カード等読取アプリケーション」 (residence card etc. reader application) that it provides. The note to the same answer states that the 「交付年月日」 cannot be checked with this application, and that the 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」 and 「許可年月日」 also cannot be checked with this application 当面の間 (for the time being). It is announced that, in using it, as with other identification documents, it is necessary to obtain the person's consent before being shown the residence card or the like. No other means of checking is stated in this material |
| Validity period (永住者・高度専門職2号) | For residence cards issued to 永住者 (permanent residents) and 高度専門職2号 (Highly Skilled Professional (ii)), whose period of stay is indefinite, the validity period of cards issued up to June 13, 2026 was 7 years from the date of issuance (for a person under 16, until the day before their 16th birthday), while the expiry date of validity of cards issued on or after June 14 runs until the 10th birthday after the date of issuance (the 5th for a person under 18). The validity period of residence cards issued to mid- to long-term residents whose period of stay is fixed continues to run until the expiry of the period of stay |
| Online application (applications made before June 14) | Under the current online residence application system, for applications by persons under 16 for whom a facial photograph is unnecessary, data for persons not requiring a photograph was attached in the 「顔写真の添付欄」. A person aged 1 or over and under 16 who applies before June 14 and whose residence card is issued on or after that date cannot submit it in the 「顔写真の添付欄」, and instead takes the facial photograph, converts it to PDF, names the file 「顔写真」 and attaches it as a document in the 「資料添付欄」. For those who have already applied, the immigration office may individually request submission by the same method as a supplementary document. From June 14, a system update is planned under which persons aged 1 or over attach and submit facial photograph data when applying |
| Counter application (applications made before June 14) | It is announced that for persons aged 1 or over and under 16 who apply (or have already applied) at the counter of a regional immigration services office before June 14 and whose residence card is expected to be issued on or after that date, submission of a facial photograph may be requested on a 任意 (voluntary) basis even before that date |
| Special permanent resident certificate | A person who makes a notification or application accompanied by issuance of a special permanent resident certificate between June 10 and June 13, 2026 (令和8年) and who will be aged 1 or over as of June 14 will submit a facial photograph. The original text adds 「なお、同日以前に届出・申請をされる場合においても、顔写真の提出をお願いすることがあります」 (in addition, even where a notification or application is made before that date, submission of a facial photograph may be requested) |
| Time-point notation of the announcement | The title of the primary source page concerning submission of facial photographs carries the time-point notation 「（令和８年５月１９日時点）」 (as of May 19, 2026 (令和8年5月19日)) |
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Japan's 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency) announces that, with the entry into force of the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法等の一部を改正する法律」 (Act No. 59 of 令和6年), the formats of the residence card (在留カード) and the special permanent resident certificate (特別永住者証明書) (together, 「residence cards and the like」) will be renewed from June 14, 2026 (令和8年). In the Q&A on the Immigration Services Agency page explaining applications for issuance of the 特定在留カード, one item (Q1-4) states that where a person does not wish to obtain a 特定在留カード or the like, a residence card or the like in the new format is issued, and a separate item dealing with the new format (Q4-1) states 「現行様式の在留カード等は、新様式の在留カード等の交付開始後も引き続き有効ですので、特定在留カード等又は新様式の在留カード等に切り替える必要はありません」 (residence cards and the like in the current format remain valid after issuance of residence cards and the like in the new format begins, so there is no need to switch to a 特定在留カード or the like or to a residence card or the like in the new format). As to facial photographs, it explains that on residence cards and the like issued up to June 13, 2026 (令和8年) the facial photograph of a person under 16 was not shown on the 券面 (card face), whereas on residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14 the photograph will also be shown for persons aged 1 or over and under 16, in the same way as on the マイナンバーカード (My Number Card). It also notes that even where a person under 16 made an application or the like before June 14, if the residence card or the like is issued on or after that date or is expected to be, they will be asked to submit a facial photograph, and that even where facial photograph data has been submitted by the method announced, the photograph will not be shown if the residence card is issued before June 14. As to the items entered on the 券面, it states that on a residence card in the new format the 「在留期間」 (period of stay), 「許可の種類」 (type of permission), 「許可年月日」 (date of permission) and 「交付年月日」 (date of issuance), which were entered on the 券面 of the current residence card, are no longer entered and are recorded only on the IC chip in the card, while the 券面 carries the name, date of birth, sex, country or region of nationality, address, status of residence, expiry date of the period of stay, residence card number, expiry date of validity, whether there is a work restriction, and, where permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence has been granted, a statement to that effect. As to the items entered on the 券面 of residence cards and the like in the new format, an item on the same page (Q4-2) states that they are the same as for a 特定在留カード or the like, except that the マイナンバー (individual number) is not entered on the back. As to the records on the IC chip, the Immigration Services Agency announces that they can be checked using the 「在留カード等読取アプリケーション」 (residence card etc. reader application) that it provides, while a note to the same answer states that the 「交付年月日」 cannot be checked with this application and that the 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」 and 「許可年月日」 also cannot be checked with this application 当面の間 (for the time being). As to the validity period, it states that for residence cards issued to 永住者 (permanent residents) and 高度専門職2号 (Highly Skilled Professional (ii)), whose period of stay is indefinite, the validity period was 7 years from the date of issuance (for a person under 16, until the day before their 16th birthday) on cards issued up to June 13, whereas on cards issued on or after June 14 it runs until the 10th birthday after the date of issuance (the 5th for a person under 18), and that the validity period of residence cards issued to mid- to long-term residents whose period of stay is fixed continues to run until the expiry of the period of stay. As to the special permanent resident certificate, it states that a person who makes a notification or application accompanied by issuance of a special permanent resident certificate between June 10 and June 13, 2026 (令和8年) and who will be aged 1 or over as of June 14 will submit a facial photograph, and adds 「なお、同日以前に届出・申請をされる場合においても、顔写真の提出をお願いすることがあります」 (in addition, even where a notification or application is made before that date, submission of a facial photograph may be requested). The title of this page announcing the submission of facial photographs carries the time-point notation 「（令和８年５月１９日時点）」 (as of May 19, 2026 (令和8年5月19日)).
Background — why this change
The Act on which this is based is the 「出入国管理及び難民認定法等の一部を改正する法律」 (Act No. 59 of 令和6年), enacted at the 213th ordinary session of the Diet on June 14, 2024 (令和6年) and promulgated on the 21st of the same month. The Immigration Services Agency posts that the date of promulgation of this Act is June 21, 令和6年 (2024) and that the effective date is June 14, 令和8年 (2026), except for some provisions. The material 「改正法の概要（マイナンバーカードと在留カードの一体化）」 posted together on the same page lists, in its section 「３．券面・有効期間」, that among the items entered on a residence card those with a high need for immediate visual confirmation (即時視認) are entered on the 券面 and the rest are recorded on the IC chip, and that the validity period of the residence card of a 永住者 is changed in the same way as for the マイナンバーカード and the like, and it then states 「４．電磁的記録の取扱いに関する規定を整備」 (arranging provisions on the handling of electromagnetic records). The section 「１．マイナンバーカードと在留カードを一体化（任意）」 of the same material states that the integration is not compulsory and that it is also possible not to integrate. The persons eligible to apply for, and the procedures and fees for, the 特定在留カード, which adds マイナンバーカード functions, are a separate item from the format change dealt with in this node, and are set out on the Immigration Services Agency page explaining applications for issuance of the 特定在留カード. Q1-4, Q3-1 and Q4-1 to Q4-5 cited in this node are all Q&A items on that same explanatory page, and each item is independent of the others. Separately, the announcement concerning submission of facial photographs is posted by the Immigration Services Agency under the title 「【重要】新様式の在留カード等交付に係る１歳以上１６歳未満の方の顔写真の提出について」, and that title carries the time-point notation 「（令和８年５月１９日時点）」.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Do I have to switch the residence card I hold now to the new format?
In the item dealing with the new format (Q4-1), the Immigration Services Agency states 「現行様式の在留カード等は、新様式の在留カード等の交付開始後も引き続き有効ですので、特定在留カード等又は新様式の在留カード等に切り替える必要はありません」 (residence cards and the like in the current format remain valid after issuance of residence cards and the like in the new format begins, so there is no need to switch to a 特定在留カード or the like or to a residence card or the like in the new format). The new format applies to residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14, 2026 (令和8年). In addition, a separate item (Q1-4) announces that where a person does not wish to obtain a 特定在留カード or the like, a residence card or the like in the new format is issued.
Will a facial photograph appear on the card of a child under 16 as well?
On residence cards and the like issued up to June 13, 2026 (令和8年), the facial photograph of a person under 16 was not shown on the 券面 (card face), but on residence cards and the like issued on or after June 14 it will be shown for persons aged 1 or over and under 16 as well, in the same way as on the マイナンバーカード. It is announced that even where a person under 16 made an application or the like before June 14, if the residence card or the like is issued on or after that date or is expected to be, they will be asked to submit a facial photograph. It is also stated, however, that even where facial photograph data has been submitted by the method announced, the photograph will not be shown if the residence card is issued before June 14.
I applied online before June 14 — how do I submit the facial photograph?
Under the current online residence application system, applications by persons under 16 for whom a facial photograph is unnecessary were handled by attaching data for persons not requiring a photograph in the 「顔写真の添付欄」 on the system, and persons aged 1 or over and under 16 who apply before June 14 and whose residence card is issued on or after that date cannot submit it in that 「顔写真の添付欄」. The Immigration Services Agency announces, as set out on its explanatory page, the method of taking the facial photograph, converting it to PDF, naming the file 「顔写真」 and attaching it as a document in the 「資料添付欄」. It is stated that for those who have already applied the immigration office may individually request submission of facial photograph data by the same method as a supplementary document. From June 14, a system update is planned under which persons aged 1 or over attach and submit facial photograph data when applying. Where the application is made at the counter of a regional immigration services office, it is announced that submission of a facial photograph may be requested on a 任意 (voluntary) basis even before that date.
Where can I check the 「在留期間」 and the other items that disappear from the 券面?
On a residence card in the new format, the 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」, 「許可年月日」 and 「交付年月日」, which were entered on the 券面 (card face) of the current residence card, are no longer entered, and the items entered on the 券面, including these, are recorded on the IC chip in the residence card. The Immigration Services Agency announces that the records on the IC chip can be checked using the 「在留カード等読取アプリケーション」 (residence card etc. reader application) that it provides, while the note to the same answer states that the 「交付年月日」 cannot be checked with this application and that the 「在留期間」, 「許可の種類」 and 「許可年月日」 also cannot be checked with it 当面の間 (for the time being). On the wording of this material, none of the four items can be checked with this application at present, and no other means of checking is stated in this material. It is also announced that, in using the application, as with other identification documents, it is necessary to obtain the person's consent before being shown the residence card or the like.
How does the validity period of the residence card change?
For residence cards issued to 永住者 (permanent residents) and 高度専門職2号 (Highly Skilled Professional (ii)), whose period of stay is indefinite, the validity period on cards issued up to June 13, 2026 (令和8年) was 7 years from the date of issuance (for a person under 16, until the day before their 16th birthday), whereas the expiry date of validity of residence cards issued on or after June 14, 2026 runs until the 10th birthday after the date of issuance (the 5th for a person under 18). Meanwhile, the validity period of residence cards issued to mid- to long-term residents whose period of stay is fixed continues to run until the expiry of the period of stay.