Specified Residence Card (from June 2026): What Changes When Residence Card & My Number Card Are Integrated?
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What Changes When the Residence Card and My Number Card Are Integrated?
From June 14, 2026, Japan is expected to begin operating the “Specified Residence Card, etc.” system, which adds My Number Card functions to a residence card or special permanent resident certificate. Obtaining the card is optional, but the new system may affect immigration procedures, municipal procedures, identity checks, and employer-side residence management.
Key conclusion: The Specified Residence Card system does not mean that every foreign resident must combine their residence card and My Number Card. If you do not wish to obtain one, you may continue to hold your residence card and My Number Card separately.
Three key points
The system is scheduled to begin on June 14, 2026. Applications at regional immigration offices are expected to start from the next business day, June 15, 2026.
Just like the My Number Card, obtaining a Specified Residence Card is optional. You may continue to hold two separate cards.
The system is for mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents who are recorded in Japan’s Basic Resident Register.
What is a Specified Residence Card?
A Specified Residence Card is a residence card to which measures have been added so that it can function as a My Number Card. A Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate is a special permanent resident certificate with the same type of My Number Card function.
Together, these are referred to as “Specified Residence Card, etc.” The purpose of the system is to process residence-card-related procedures and My Number Card-related procedures more efficiently, reduce the procedural burden on foreign residents, and improve administrative efficiency.
Practical caution: It is not enough to understand the system simply as “two cards becoming one.” A Specified Residence Card has both residence-card and My Number Card functions, so carrying obligations, loss procedures, validity periods, and renewal procedures must each be checked carefully.
What are the expected benefits?
Currently, residence cards and My Number Cards are separate cards. When a foreign resident receives an extension of period of stay, changes address, or changes personal details, procedures may be required at different offices depending on the type of change.
With a Specified Residence Card, certain updates related to residence status and My Number Card functions may be handled more efficiently. The main practical benefit is that residence procedures and card information updates may become more closely connected.
- Residence card and My Number Card functions can be managed in one card
- Some My Number Card update procedures after immigration procedures may become less burdensome
- Identity document management may become easier
- Employers may be able to organize residence-status checks and expiry-date management more clearly
Is it mandatory?
No. Obtaining a Specified Residence Card is optional. If you do not wish to obtain one, you may continue to hold your residence card or special permanent resident certificate and your My Number Card separately.
However, at the same time as the Specified Residence Card system begins, ordinary residence cards and special permanent resident certificates that are not integrated with My Number Card functions are also expected to move to a new format. Existing cards will remain valid until their original validity period expires.
Do you need to carry it at all times?
Yes, for mid- to long-term residents, a Specified Residence Card is still a residence card. Therefore, the ordinary carrying obligation for residence cards continues to apply.
The card does not become optional to carry simply because it has My Number Card functions. Foreign residents should continue to be careful when going out, presenting the card to employers, and using it for identity verification.
Where can you apply?
The application for a Specified Residence Card is generally designed to be filed together with certain immigration procedures or municipal notifications, rather than as a completely separate procedure at any time.
| Office | Main procedures | Practical point |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Immigration Services Bureau | Extension of period of stay, change of status, permanent residence permission, residence card validity renewal, reissuance, and changes to non-address card details | The application is filed together with an immigration application or residence-card-related notification. |
| Municipal office | Address notification after new landing, change of address, and address notification related to a change of status | This applies only when the notification is deemed to be a residence-place notification under the Immigration Control Act. |
| Special permanent residents | Procedures and notifications related to the special permanent resident certificate and residence-place notifications | Municipal offices remain the main contact point. |
Can you receive it at the airport or apply at the same time as a birth notification?
No. When a foreign national newly lands in Japan, the airport issues a residence card, not a Specified Residence Card.
Also, unlike a My Number Card, a Specified Residence Card cannot be applied for at the same time as a birth notification. When an application to acquire a status of residence is filed, a residence card will be issued.
Documents and items to prepare
The Immigration Services Agency currently lists the Specified Residence Card application form, PIN-setting request form, and one photograph as required items. The official forms are expected to be published later.
- Application form for Specified Residence Card, etc.
- PIN-setting request form
- One photograph
- Documents required for the immigration application or notification filed together with the card application
- Residence card, passport, and identity verification documents
If a photograph is already submitted for the immigration application or notification filed together with the card application, a duplicate photograph is not expected to be required. Please check the latest forms and filing guidance after the system begins.
What appears on the card?
The front of a Specified Residence Card is expected to show items such as name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, address, status of residence, expiration date of the period of stay, residence card number, expiration date of the card, work restrictions, and permission to engage in activities other than those permitted if applicable.
Some items currently printed on residence cards will be recorded only in the IC chip in the future. The My Number will be printed on the back of the card.
What happens if you lose the card?
A Specified Residence Card has both My Number Card and residence card functions. Therefore, if it is lost, both sides must be handled properly.
- Suspend the My Number Card function
- Report the loss or theft to the police
- Mid- to long-term residents should apply for residence card reissuance at the competent immigration office
- Special permanent residents should apply for reissuance at the municipal office
- If necessary, consider later applying again for a Specified Residence Card
If a mid- to long-term resident loses a Specified Residence Card, a normal residence card is first issued. If the person later wishes to obtain a Specified Residence Card again, this can be considered together with a reissuance application based on replacement request.
Points for employers
Even after the Specified Residence Card system begins, employers must continue to manage residence periods, work restrictions, permission for activities outside status, and residence card information properly.
Because card formats and printed items will change, employers should review their internal procedures for copying identity documents, keeping residence-status records, managing expiry dates, and explaining procedures to foreign employees.
Prepare for a transition period where old-format cards, new-format cards, and Specified Residence Cards may coexist.
My Number information is subject to strict purpose and storage rules. Employers should avoid unnecessary copying or storage.
Even if functions are integrated into one card, the period of stay and card validity period must still be checked carefully.
Common misunderstandings
Q1. Does everyone have to switch to a Specified Residence Card?
No. The system is optional. You may continue to hold your residence card or special permanent resident certificate and My Number Card separately.
Q2. If I have a Specified Residence Card, can I stop worrying about my period of stay?
No. The expiration date of your period of stay remains very important. If you need an extension or change of status, you must continue to manage the deadline.
Q3. Can an employer copy the back side showing the My Number?
My Number information is subject to legal restrictions on collection and storage. Employers should separate immigration-status verification from My Number-related administrative procedures.
Q4. Will old residence cards become invalid when the new format begins?
No. Existing residence cards and special permanent resident certificates remain valid until their original expiration dates.
Practical support for residence card and My Number Card integration
Tommy’s Legal Service supports extension applications, change-of-status applications, permanent residence applications, residence card procedures, and employer-side foreign employee management. We can also help employers update their internal verification flow for the Specified Residence Card system.
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