Japan is introducing a new type of residence card effective June 14, 2026 — the Specified Residence Card (特定在留カード, tokutei zairyu kaado). It combines the existing residence card (在留カード, zairyu kaado) and the My Number card (マイナンバーカード, Maina Nanbaa Kaado) into a single IC chip document. Japanese terms used in this article are listed in the keyword guide at the bottom.
Timing matters
What the new card is
The Specified Residence Card is a single physical card with an IC chip that holds both your immigration status information (currently on your residence card) and your My Number information (currently on your My Number card). You carry one card instead of two.
The launch is part of Japan’s 2024 Immigration Act amendments (令和６年法律第５９号, Reiwa Rokunen Houritsu Dai-Gojuukyuu-Gou), which were enacted in June 2024 and take effect on June 14, 2026.
One visible change arriving with the new format: children aged one to under 16 will now have their photo displayed on the card. Previously, photos were not required for this age group.
Do you need to do anything right now?
No. Adoption of the Specified Residence Card is voluntary. Your existing residence card and My Number card both remain valid.
Here is what changes depending on your situation:
- You have a valid residence card issued before June 14. Nothing changes. It remains valid until its expiry date. You can continue to use it at the ward office, for banking, health insurance enrollment, and everywhere else you currently use it.
- Your residence card renewal falls on or after June 14. Your new card will be issued in the new combined format. Check the ISA guidance on the 2024 amendments or contact your local immigration office before your appointment to confirm what to bring.
- You are a new entrant arriving on or after June 14. You will receive the new Specified Residence Card as your first card.
- You have a child aged one to 15 with a renewal or new application in progress. A photo is now required. If the card will be issued on or after June 14, the immigration office may ask you to submit a photo even if you applied before that date.
Good to know
What this means for ward office procedures
The Specified Residence Card serves the same function as your current residence card for ward office purposes — address registration, National Health Insurance enrollment, and other local administrative processes all use your residence card as your primary ID. The new combined card is accepted in the same way.
If you are currently registered at your ward office with your existing residence card, no update is needed. Your registration remains linked to your card information regardless of which format your card takes.
Japanese terms in this article
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 特定在留カード | tokutei zairyu kaado | Specified Residence Card — the new combined card integrating residence card and My Number card functions into one IC chip document |
| 在留カード | zairyu kaado | Residence card — the card issued to mid- to long-term foreign residents; shows name, nationality, address, and visa status |
| マイナンバーカード | Maina Nanbaa Kaado | My Number card — Japan’s national ID card linked to your 12-digit My Number; used for tax, social security, and digital services |
| 令和６年法律第５９号 | Reiwa Rokunen Houritsu Dai-Gojuukyuu-Gou | 2024 Immigration Act Amendment (Law No. 59 of 2024) — the legislation that introduces the Specified Residence Card, among other changes; takes effect June 14, 2026 |
Sources
- 令和６年入管法等改正法について — ISA — Overview of the 2024 Immigration Act amendments, including the My Number card and residence card integration; confirms legal basis and effective date (Japanese only — content verified June 2026)
- 新様式の在留カード等交付に係る顔写真の提出について — ISA — ISA guidance on photo requirements for the new-format card, explicitly confirming the June 14, 2026 enforcement date (Japanese only — content verified June 2026)
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