On June 14, 2026, a revision to Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act will take effect. Under this revision, children aged 1 to under 16 will now have their photo displayed on their Residence Card (在留カード). Foreign nationals with children in Japan should prepare early.
Overview of the Law Change
The Immigration Services Agency is implementing a revision under the “Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Act No. 59 of 2024). Among the changes: the format of Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates will be updated, and children aged 1–15 will now have their photo shown on the card.
| Age Group | Before Revision | After Revision (from June 14, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 and over | Photo required | Photo required (no change) |
| Age 1 to under 16 | No photo | Photo required ← CHANGED |
| Under 1 year old | No photo | No photo (no change) |
Who Is Affected?
- Children aged 1–15 applying for or renewing their Residence Card on or after June 14, 2026
- Children who applied before June 14 but whose card is expected to be issued on or after June 14
- For Special Permanent Resident Certificates: children applying between June 10–13, 2026 who will be aged 1 or over as of June 14
⚠️ Note: If you already hold a valid Residence Card, no action is needed until your renewal date. You do not need to go to the immigration office immediately.
How to Submit the Photo
① In-Person Application (Immigration Office)
Bring your child’s photo when applying on or after June 14, 2026. If you applied before the effective date but the card will be issued afterward, the immigration office may ask you to voluntarily submit a photo.
② Online Application
| Application Timing | How to Submit |
|---|---|
| Applying on or after June 14, 2026 | The system will be updated — attaching a photo is mandatory for children aged 1+ |
| Applied before June 14, card issued after | Attach a PDF of the photo in the “document attachment” section. File name must be “顔写真” (face photo) |
Photo Requirements
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Front-facing, no hat, plain background (white or light color)
- 4cm × 3cm (same as passport photo standard)
- Clear, face fully visible
- For online applications: convert to PDF format
Summary
- 📅 Effective date: June 14, 2026
- 👦 Affected: children aged 1 to under 16
- 📷 Change: photo will now appear on Residence Card / Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- ✅ Current valid cards remain usable — new format applies from next renewal
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office. Initial consultation is free, available in 5 languages.
📋 Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Residence Card Photo Submission (as of May 19, 2026)
Supervised by
乾 喜満（いぬい よしみつ）
Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) / Representative, Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation
Registration No.: 16260979
Founded 2016. Specializes in residence status and naturalization in Japan. Available in 5 languages (JA/EN/ZH/KO/VI). Based in Osaka Tenjinbashi.
Supervised by
乾 喜満（いぬい よしみつ）
Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) / Representative, Inui Gyoseishoshi Corporation
Registration No.: 16260979
Founded 2016. Specializes in Japan residence status and naturalization. Available in 5 languages (JA/EN/ZH/KO/VI). Based in Osaka Tenjinbashi.
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