Japan will introduce new facial photograph requirements for children applying for residence cards and special permanent resident certificates from June 14, 2026, according to the country’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA).
Residence cards and special permanent resident certificates issued to eligible children will now include facial photographs as part of the new format.
The revised rules will apply to applicants aged one to 16 years. Children who submit applications before June 14 but are expected to receive their residence cards on or after that date may also be asked to provide a facial photograph.
Transition period already underway
As reported by Fragomen, some ISA offices have already started requesting or recommending facial photographs for applicants who will be at least one year old by June 14, even if they were under one year old when the application was submitted.
This discretionary practice may continue during the transition period leading up to the implementation date.
The new requirement will also apply to individuals submitting notifications or applications for special permanent resident certificates between June 10 and June 13, 2026, if they will be at least one year old by June 14.
According to the update, these applicants may still be asked to submit facial photographs even if their applications or notifications were filed before the specified dates.
Japan’s online residence application system is also expected to be updated by June 14 to include the new photograph submission requirement as part of the application process.
