Starting June 14, 2026, Japan will introduce a new "Specified Residence Card" (特定在留カード) that integrates the Residence Card (Zairyu Card) and the My Number Card into a single ID.
Here is a breakdown of the official announcement from the Immigration Services Agency.
Currently, foreign residents have to manage two separate cards and visit two different administrative offices (Immigration and City Hall) for updates. This new system aims to unify them. You will be able to perform procedures for both cards at once, primarily at Immigration bureaus or municipalities.
Launch Date: June 14, 2026
Key Changes & Benefits:
One-Stop Procedures: You can apply for this combined card when doing standard immigration procedures (like extending your period of stay, changing status, or applying for PR).
Longer Validity for PR: If you are a Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident, the card validity extends from 7 years to 10 years. (For those under 18, it is valid for 5 years).
Health Insurance & License: Just like the standard My Number Card, this can be used as your Health Insurance card (Myna Hoken) and Driver's License
Important Changes to the Card Face:
To de-clutter the card, the following information will NO LONGER be printed on the front of the card.
Instead, it will be stored inside the IC Chip:
Period of Stay (Your visa expiration date)
Type of Permit
Date of Permit / Date of Issue
Note: You will need to use the ISA’s "Reading App" to check these details.
Photos for Kids: Previously, children under 16 didn't need a photo. Under the new system, children aged 1 to 16 will need a photo on the card (just like Japanese kids with My Number cards).
The "Special Period" Trap: If your visa expires while you are waiting for a renewal (the 2-month automatic extension period), the "My Number" function of the card expires on your original visa end date. You must go to your City Hall before your visa expires to extend the digital certificate, otherwise, the My Number digital functions will stop working.
Not Automatic: Applying doesn't guarantee you get the combined card; specific circumstances might result in you getting a standard Residence Card.
Source: Official Immigration Services Agency Pamphlet (Reiwa 6 Amendment)
by budditha