Whether you’re moving to Japan or living there long term, the Residence Card, the Juminhyo, and the My Number Card are three essential documents. Missing any one of them makes daily life in Japan noticeably harder. This article explains what each of these three documents is, what it’s used for, and how to apply for it.
What Is the Residence Card?
The Residence Card (在留カード) is issued to mid- to long-term residents of Japan and represents the holder’s permission to enter, along with any approved change of status of residence or extension of the period of stay. The card records the holder’s name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, address, status of residence, period of stay, and whether the holder is authorized to work, among other information. In general, anyone in Japan who holds a status of residence valid for 3 months or more must obtain a Residence Card. Renting a home, opening a bank account, or signing up for a mobile phone plan in Japan all require the Residence Card. The Residence Card represents the holder’s lawful right to reside in Japan.
How to Apply for the Residence Card
Eligible applicants entering through one of the major airports — Narita Airport (Tokyo), Haneda Airport (Tokyo), Chubu Centrair Airport (Nagoya), or Kansai Airport (Osaka) — can apply for and receive the Residence Card directly at the Immigration Services Agency counter in the airport. Anyone entering through a different airport will instead have their passport stamped with a landing permission seal and a note that the card will be delivered later; they then need to report their address to the municipal (ward) office where they will be living, after which the local immigration bureau will mail the card to them.
What Is the Juminhyo?
Japan’s Juminhyo (住民票, resident record) works like an ID document tied to a residential address. It records the holder’s name, date of birth, sex, and address, among other basic details. For foreign nationals, it additionally records nationality, status of residence, and related information. Getting a Japanese driver’s license, enrolling in school, starting a job, renting a home, signing up for a phone plan or internet service, or opening a bank account in Japan will all require the Juminhyo. Every time the holder moves, the residential address on file needs to be updated. The Juminhyo represents the holder’s status as a resident of that locality and carries the holder’s individual resident registration number.
How to Apply for the Juminhyo
Once eligible applicants have settled into their new home in Japan, they can apply at the municipal office (shiyakusho/kuyakusho) near their residence, bringing their Residence Card and the relevant application fee. The fee varies by municipality, at roughly JPY 200-300. Applicants can also apply by mail, by sending the following to the municipal office:
- Application form
- An identity-verification document such as the Residence Card
- The processing fee (JPY 300 per copy)
- A return envelope
What Is the My Number Card (Individual Number Card / マイナンバーカード)?
About 2 to 3 weeks after applying for the Juminhyo, a notification letter containing a 12-digit personal identification number (個人番号) will be mailed to the holder’s address. This number is the individual’s personal identifier and does not change once assigned — even if the holder later leaves Japan and re-registers a Juminhyo on returning, the same number applies. The IC chip card carrying this personal number is the My Number Card, which also displays the holder’s name, address, date of birth, sex, and a photo of the holder’s face, and serves as official proof of identity. Holding a My Number Card also lets you complete various administrative procedures online, such as e-Tax filing and handling social and pension insurance matters.
How to Apply for the My Number Card
After receiving the mailed “Individual Number Notification,” you can apply for the My Number Card together with the completed “Individual Number Card Issuance Application Form.” There are four ways to apply:
1. Smartphone application
Scan the QR code in the bottom-right corner of the issuance application form with your phone to reach the application website, fill in your personal details and contact information online, and upload a personal photo.
2. Computer application
Similar to the smartphone method — save a personal photo to your computer in advance, then go to the application website, fill in the details, and submit the application.
3. Street ID-photo booths
At an instant ID-photo booth in Japan, select “Apply for Individual Number Card,” make payment, and then scan the QR code to connect to the application website.
4. Mail application
Fill out the issuance application form, attach a personal photo, place them in the prepaid return envelope, and mail it.
Japan Individual Number Card information:
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/zh-cn-kojinbango/
Individual Number Card Issuance Application Form:
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/hpsv/wpmng/documents/tegaki-kofu-shinseisho.pdf
How to Collect the My Number Card
About a month after applying, a notification letter will be mailed to your address, specifying the collection deadline and location. Bring the notification letter, an identity document, and your Juminhyo when you go to collect the card. At collection, you will need to set four PIN codes; three of them may be the same, but the PIN for the digital signature certificate must use half-width alphanumeric characters and be between 6 and 16 characters long.
Summary
The three documents above are the essentials for living in Japan. The Residence Card represents the holder’s lawful residence status in Japan, and the Juminhyo represents the holder’s status as a resident tied to the local community — both are legally required documents. The My Number Card functions as a personal ID and is optional, but we recommend that anyone planning a long-term stay, work, or business in Japan seriously consider getting one, since it makes handling everyday tax matters and other administrative tasks considerably easier.
Related reading: guidance on Japan’s Business Manager Visa requirements and process, frequently asked questions on Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional visa, how foreigners can set up a company in Japan, and the documents needed to register a company in Japan.
Have a question about this guide? Leave a comment below, or ask Zagdim directly.
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