Japan's New Unified ID Card for Foreigners: Tokutei Zairyū Card (特定在留カード) — Complete 2026 Guide
🇯🇵 日本語要約
2026年6月14日から、外国人向けの新しい「特定在留カード」が導入されました。在留カードとマイナンバーカードを1枚に統合できます。任意での申請です。
Japan's New Unified ID Card for Foreigners: The Tokutei Zairyū Card (特定在留カード) — Complete 2026 Guide
By Yamada · Chiba, Japan · June 2026
Japan launched the Tokutei Zairyū Card (特定在留カード) on June 14, 2026. It merges your Zairyū Card (在留カード) and My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) into one card. It is optional — you can keep two separate cards if you prefer.
What Is the Tokutei Zairyū Card? (特定在留カードとは？)
The Tokutei Zairyū Card (特定在留カード, "Specified Residence Card") is Japan's new unified ID card for foreign residents. It is issued by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA / 出入国在留管理庁) starting June 14, 2026.
It solves a long-running problem: until now, most foreigners in Japan had to carry two separate cards and visit two separate offices whenever their immigration status changed.
| Old System (Before June 14, 2026) | New System (From June 14, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Zairyū Card (在留カード) — immigration proof | ✅ One Tokutei Zairyū Card covers both |
| My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) — tax/social security | ✅ One Tokutei Zairyū Card covers both |
| Update at 2 offices when visa renews | ✅ Update at Immigration only |
| 2 cards to carry every day | ✅ 1 card |
Who Can Get It?
You are eligible if you are:
- A mid-to-long-term foreign resident already registered in the Basic Resident Register (住民基本台帳)
- Renewing your visa, changing visa category, or updating your address from June 14, 2026 onward
- A Special Permanent Resident (特別永住者) — you apply for the equivalent Tokutei Tokubetsu Eijusha Shomeisho (特定特別永住者証明書)
You are NOT eligible if you are:
- A brand-new arrival — the combined card cannot be issued at the airport; you receive a standard Zairyū Card first, then apply later
- Not yet registered as a resident at your city/ward office
Is It Mandatory?
No. It is completely optional (任意 / nin-i).
You can continue carrying your existing Zairyū Card and My Number Card as two separate cards. Both remain valid until their expiry dates.
⚠️ Important: Even if you do NOT apply for the combined card, the design of the standard Zairyū Card is also changing from June 14, 2026. Any new or reissued card after this date will have a new look.
What Changed on the Card Design?
All Zairyū Cards issued from June 14, 2026 onward have a new design. Several details are removed from the visible card surface and stored only in the IC chip:
| Field | Old Card | New Card |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | Printed on front | IC chip only |
| Type of permission | Printed on front | IC chip only |
| Date of permission | Printed on front | IC chip only |
| Date of issuance | Printed on front | IC chip only |
| Name, photo, address | Printed on front | Still on front |
5 Benefits of the Tokutei Zairyū Card
1. One Card, One Office Visit
When your visa renews, your My Number info updates at the same immigration counter. No separate trip to city hall.
2. Works as Health Insurance Card (マイナ保険証)
Scan it at hospital terminals to verify your NHI coverage automatically. The high-cost cap (高額療養費) applies automatically — no extra paperwork needed.
3. Works as Digital Driver's License (マイナ運転免許証)
You can link your driver's license to the card. Note: you must re-register your license info at a police station after receiving the new card.
4. Your Nickname (通称名) Can Be Printed
Your Japanese nickname or common name can appear on the card.
5. Free to Apply
The application is free. Reissuance if lost: approximately ¥1,500.
Risks and Downsides — Read This Before You Switch
Risk 1: Lose One Card = Lose Everything
If you lose your Tokutei Zairyū Card, you lose both your residence proof and your My Number function at once. Report immediately to:
- My Number hotline: 0120-95-0178 (24 hours, loss/theft)
- Your local police station (警察署)
- Your regional immigration bureau
Risk 2: Takes 10 Days Longer Than a Regular Card
The Tokutei Zairyū Card takes approximately 10 days longer to issue than a standard Zairyū Card. Plan ahead before trips abroad.
Risk 3: Card Expires When Your Visa Expires
Foreign residents' cards expire when their visa expires. If you renew your visa but forget to update the card, your health insurance and My Number functions become invalid.
Risk 4: No Online Application
You must apply in person at a Regional Immigration Bureau or city/ward office.
Risk 5: Driver's License Re-Registration Required
You must visit a police station to re-register your license info after receiving the new card.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Applications officially opened June 15, 2026 (first business day after launch).
Step 1: Go to a Regional Immigration Bureau (地方出入国在留管理局)
Apply when you are doing any of the following:
- Visa renewal (在留期間更新)
- Change of visa status (在留資格変更)
- Address change (住所変更)
Special Permanent Residents: apply at your city/ward office.
Step 2: Bring These Documents
- Current Zairyū Card
- Current My Number Card (or your 12-digit My Number notification letter)
- Passport
- Documents for your immigration procedure (e.g., visa renewal docs)
- 1 face photo (plain background, taken within 6 months)
Step 3: Tell the Staff
Say: 「特定在留カードを申請したいです」
(Tokutei zairyū kādo wo shinsei shitai desu)
Step 4: Wait for Card
Processing takes approximately 10 extra days vs a standard Zairyū Card.
Step 5: Pick Up and Set PINs
- 4-digit PIN — for certificate/health insurance functions
- 6–16 character password — for digital signature function
Staff will guide you through PIN setup at the counter.
Useful Japanese Phrases
| Situation | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I want to apply for the unified card | 特定在留カードを申請したいです | Tokutei zairyū kādo wo shinsei shitai desu |
| Where is the immigration bureau? | 出入国在留管理局はどこですか？ | Shutsunyūkoku zairyū kanrikyoku wa doko desu ka? |
| I lost my card | カードをなくしました | Kādo wo nakushimashita |
| When will the card be ready? | カードはいつできますか？ | Kādo wa itsu dekimasu ka? |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I already have both cards. Do I need to switch immediately?
No. Both cards remain valid until they expire. Switch at your next immigration procedure — there is no deadline.
Q: I am arriving in Japan for the first time after June 14, 2026. Do I get the unified card at the airport?
No. New arrivals still receive a standard Zairyū Card at the airport. Apply for the unified card after registering your address at the city office.
Q: Does it work as health insurance at hospitals?
Yes. Scan it at the hospital terminal. The high-cost cap applies automatically — no extra paperwork needed.
Q: What if I do not have a My Number Card yet?
You need either your existing My Number Card or your 12-digit number from your notification letter. If you lost it, visit your ward office with your Zairyū Card and passport — they can confirm your number.
Q: My visa expires in 3 months. Should I switch now?
Wait and switch at your renewal — apply for the unified card at the same time as your renewal procedure.
Q: What happens to my old My Number Card after I get the unified card?
Your old My Number Card is no longer valid. Surrender it when you pick up the new card.
Q: I am a student on a 28-hour work limit. Does this affect my work permission?
No. The Tokutei Zairyū Card is an ID reform only. Your visa category and work restrictions do not change.
Should You Switch? Quick Guide
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Visa renewal coming up in 0–6 months | ✅ Switch at renewal |
| Just renewed, 2+ years left | ⏳ Wait until next renewal |
| New arrival from June 2026 | 🏁 Get standard card first, apply at ward office later |
| Special Permanent Resident | 🏛️ Apply at city/ward office |
| Frequent traveler, worried about losing all IDs | ⚠️ Consider keeping two separate cards |
Official Resources
- Immigration Services Agency (ISA): www.isa.go.jp
- My Number hotline (loss/theft): 0120-95-0178 (24 hours)
- Find nearest Immigration Bureau: Search 「地方出入国在留管理局」 on Google Maps
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