What is the My Number Card? Do foreigners in Japan need one?

Quick Answer

The My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) is an IC-chipped identification card issued by local municipal governments in Japan, displaying your 12-digit Individual Number, full name, date of birth, gender, address, and portrait photo. If you are a foreign resident registered as a resident (住民登録) in Japan with a period of stay exceeding 3 months, you have already been automatically assigned a My Number—the number itself is mandatory. However, applying for the physical My Number Card is voluntary and not compulsory.

Nevertheless, since paper health insurance cards ceased to be newly issued (from December 2, 2024) and many administrative procedures have shifted online, this card has become increasingly convenient. The initial issuance is free of charge, processing takes about 1 to 1.5 months, and you can submit your application at the municipal office (市区町村役場) where your residency is registered or apply online using your smartphone.

Who This Guide Is For

This article is written for foreign residents living in Japan who find the My Number system confusing. Specifically:

• International students who have just arrived, recently completed their resident registration at the ward office, and received a paper slip with a 12-digit number without understanding what it is.
• Technical intern trainees, specified skilled workers, and engineers working in Japan whose employers have asked for their My Number for tax and social insurance purposes.
• Those who need to file their year-end tax adjustment (年末調整) or national income tax return (確定申告) and wish to file online via e-Tax.
• Those who want to obtain a Certificate of Residence (住民票) at convenience stores instead of taking time off work to visit the ward office.
• Those preparing to open a bank account, sign up for a SIM card online, or register for an e-wallet and are required to complete electronic identity verification (eKYC).
• Those about to renew their visa, move to a new address, or return to their home country and are unsure how to handle their My Number Card.

If you only wanted to know whether you "need to apply or not," the Quick Answer section above covers it. If you want to get the card, read on for the step-by-step process.

Who This Does NOT Apply To

This guide does not apply to the following cases:

• Tourists and short-term visitors staying under 3 months (temporary visitor visa / tanki taizai): you cannot register as a resident, so you do not have a My Number and cannot apply for a card. If you just need internet access during your trip, check out our eSIM or pocket WiFi options instead of worrying about municipal procedures.
• Individuals with Diplomatic or Official status (外交・公用): this group is exempt from resident registration under the Residential Basic Book Act.
• Individuals who have left Japan, submitted a moving-out notification (転出届), and no longer maintain a registered address in Japan: the My Number Card becomes invalid and, in principle, must be surrendered.
• This article does not provide detailed tax-filing instructions, does not guide you through visa applications, and does not replace official administrative consultations. Because My Number is directly tied to taxation, social insurance, and residency status, please verify specific details with your local ward office.

Distinction: My Number, Notification Document, and My Number Card

Many people confuse these three items. The table below clarifies the differences:

Note: The paper Notification Card (通知カード) ceased new issuance on May 25, 2020. Individuals who moved to Japan after this date receive an Individual Number Notice (個人番号通知書)—this paper notice cannot be used as legal proof of your My Number in many administrative procedures. When official verification is required, you must obtain a 住民票 (Certificate of Residence) showing your My Number at the ward office.

What Are the Benefits of Getting the Card?

• Official photo ID recognized nationwide for opening bank accounts, signing contracts, and online verification.
• Print your 住民票 and 印鑑登録証明書 (Seal Registration Certificate) at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, etc.) from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, including weekends. Fees are generally lower than at the counter, depending on the municipality.
• File taxes online via e-Tax, eliminating the need to wait in line at tax offices during the 確定申告 filing season.
• Use it as a health insurance card (Myna Insurance Card / マイナ保険証) at hospitals and clinics equipped with card readers.
• Log into MynaPortal (マイナポータル) to review health insurance records, pension contributions, vaccination history, and subsidy information.
• Swift online identity verification (eKYC) when signing up for telecommunication services and digital wallets.

Put simply: if you plan to live in Japan for a year or more, work, and pay taxes, this card will save you several trips to the ward office. If you only have a few months left before returning home, you can safely skip it.

Step-by-Step Application Process

There are four ways to apply. Below is the general procedure followed by details for each method.

1. Check whether you have the Application Form (交付申請書). This form is typically mailed to you after your initial resident registration, containing a 23-digit application ID and a QR code. If lost, you can request a replacement at your ward office or apply in person.
2. Prepare your ID photo. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months, against a plain background, without headwear, facing forward. Printed photos must be 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm; for online submissions, take a smartphone photo meeting official standards (the face occupying roughly 70–80% of the vertical frame).
3. Submit your application through one of the four methods:
   • Online via smartphone: Scan the QR code on your 交付申請書, enter your full name, date of birth, and email address, then upload your photo. This is the fastest and most popular method.
   • Automated photo booths (証明写真機) supporting My Number applications: Select the option on the screen, scan your QR code, take your picture, and submit the application directly from the booth. Fees range from roughly ¥800 to ¥1,000.
   • By postal mail: Fill out the 交付申請書 by hand, affix your photo, place it in the designated return envelope, and mail it (postage is usually free).
   • In person at the ward office: Bring your Residence Card to the counter; staff will help you fill out the form, and some offices even take your photo for free.
4. Wait for processing and card production. The card is produced by J-LIS (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems) and then delivered to your local municipal office.
5. Receive the Notice of Issuance (交付通知書, a colored postcard) confirming your card is ready. The postcard specifies the pickup location, opening hours, and required documents. Some municipalities require booking an appointment online or by phone beforehand.
6. Pick up your card at the ward office (you must appear in person; proxy collection is strictly restricted). Staff will verify your identity, and you will sign to acknowledge receipt.
7. Set your PIN codes. You will configure up to 4 types of security codes:
   • Signature electronic certificate PIN (署名用電子証明書用): 6–16 alphanumeric characters (uppercase letters and numbers)—used for digital signatures when filing via e-Tax.
   • User identification electronic certificate PIN (利用者証明用電子証明書用): 4 digits—used when logging into MynaPortal and using the card at medical institutions.
   • Basic Resident Ledger PIN (住民基本台帳用): 4 digits.
   • Surface information entry assistance PIN (券面事項入力補助用): 4 digits.
   The three 4-digit codes are commonly set to the same number for easy recall. Entering an incorrect 4-digit PIN 3 consecutive times (or 5 times for the alphanumeric signature PIN) will lock your card, requiring a visit to the ward office to reset it.
8. Write down your PINs and store them separately from your card.

If you prefer to make only one visit, ask your ward office about the 申請時来庁方式 (Application-Time Office Visit Method): you complete identity verification at the counter when applying, and the finished card is subsequently sent to your home by registered mail.

Required Documents

When Applying

• Application Form (交付申請書) (featuring the 23-digit ID)—if applying online, only the QR code from this form is needed.
• ID Photo measuring 4.5 x 3.5 cm (print) or a digital image file (online application).
• Residence Card (在留カード)—valid original.
• Passport (requested by some municipalities for cross-referencing).

When Picking Up the Card

• Notice of Issuance (交付通知書) (pickup postcard)—with the required sections completed.
• Residence Card or another valid government-issued photo ID.
• Notification Card (通知カード) (if you still retain the older paper card—it must be surrendered).
• Basic Resident Ledger Card (住民基本台帳カード) (if held—must be surrendered).
• If authorizing an agent to collect on your behalf (strictly limited to exceptional circumstances such as hospitalization or disability): a power of attorney and official documentation proving the reason are required. Please consult your ward office in advance, as municipal rules vary.

Helpful tip: The name on a foreign resident's My Number Card will match the exact spelling and order recorded on your 住民票. If you want your card to include your katakana name or an alternate name format, inform the staff at the time of application; once printed, any alterations require a full reissuance.

Fees & Costs

Reissuance fees and convenience store document printing fees are determined by each individual municipality, so the numbers above serve as a general reference. Please check your local municipal website for precise figures.

Validity Period & Processing Time

How long does it take to receive the card?

It typically takes about 1 to 1.5 months from application submission to receipt of the pickup postcard. During peak seasons (tax filing periods or major policy rollouts), wait times can extend beyond 2 months.

How long is the card valid for foreign residents?

This is the most critical difference compared to Japanese citizens:

• For adult Japanese nationals: the card is valid for 10 years, and electronic certificates for 5 years.
• For foreign residents with a finite period of stay (students, specified skilled workers, technical trainees, engineers, etc.): the card's expiration date directly matches the expiration date of your status of residence on your Residence Card. The digital certificates on the chip expire on the exact same day.
• For Permanent Residents (永住者) and Special Permanent Residents: the standard long-term validity applies, similar to Japanese nationals (subject to current regulations).

What should you do with the card when renewing your visa?

Once the Immigration Services Agency approves your period of stay extension, you must bring your new Residence Card + My Number Card to your local ward office to extend the validity of your My Number Card. This procedure is free and should be completed as early as possible, typically within 14 days of receiving your new residency status. If your card expires, it becomes completely void, requiring a new application from scratch, potentially incurring reissuance fees.

If you are awaiting visa renewal results and your My Number Card is nearing expiration: some municipalities permit a temporary 2-month extension if you provide proof of your pending renewal application. Inquire at your local counter beforehand.

Where to Apply / Where to Process

• Application submission: Online via smartphone/PC, via certified photo booths, by postal mail, or directly at the Citizen Services Division (市民課 / 住民課) counter of the municipal office (市役所・区役所・町村役場) where you are registered. For example, residents of Shinjuku should visit the Shinjuku Ward Office or their nearest branch office (出張所).
• Card pickup: Only at your designated municipal office (or the collection site specified on your pickup postcard). You cannot pick up your card in another municipality.
• Card renewal, PIN resets, unlocking, and address changes: Handled at your current municipal office.
• Card usage: Multi-copy machines at convenience stores nationwide, participating medical institutions equipped with card readers, the MynaPortal portal, and the e-Tax system.
• Reporting a lost card: Call the 24/7 card suspension hotline immediately, report the loss to a police box (交番) to obtain an incident report number, and subsequently visit your ward office to apply for a replacement.

Many municipal offices in areas with high foreign resident populations (such as Shinjuku, Toshima, Adachi, Kawaguchi, etc.) provide support in English, Vietnamese, or telephone interpretation services. You can call ahead to schedule an interpreter, saving you unnecessary trips.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming that obtaining the physical card is mandatory. It is not. Possessing the 12-digit number is mandatory, but getting the plastic card is strictly voluntary. Do not let anyone mislead you into believing you will face penalties for not having the card.
• Forgetting to update the card after renewing your visa. This is the most frequent mistake among foreign residents. Once expired, the card cannot be used at clinics or for e-Tax, and you will need to reapply for a replacement.
• Submitting non-compliant photos. Selfies showing patterned wallpaper, photos cropped too closely, glare reflected on eyeglasses, or visible teeth when smiling—all can lead to rejection and delay your application by an entire month.
• Forgetting your PIN and getting locked out. Entering the 4-digit PIN incorrectly 3 consecutive times locks the card. You must visit the ward office in person with identification to unlock it, costing you half a day.
• Providing your My Number to unauthorized parties. By law, the My Number may only be collected for taxation, social security, and disaster response purposes. Your employer, the municipal office, and banks (for specific statutory transactions) are legally permitted to request it. Mobile carriers, landlords, and general part-time employers have no legal right to demand this number. When presenting your card as personal photo ID, cover the reverse side (where the 12-digit number is printed) or present only the front.
• Moving without updating your address on the card. After filing a moving-in notification (転入届) at your new municipality, you must present your card to update the address. Failing to do so within 90 days may render the card invalid.
• Leaving Japan permanently without handling the card. When filing your moving-out notification (転出届) to leave Japan permanently, you are generally required to return your My Number Card (and surrender your Residence Card at the airport). Consult your ward office if you intend to return to Japan in the future.
• Falling for phishing scams. Numerous fraudulent SMS messages claim to offer "Myna Points" or demand "My Number updates," directing users to fake sites designed to steal banking credentials. Government agencies will never ask for your card PIN or credit card numbers via SMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be penalized if I do not get a My Number Card?

No. Applying for the card is entirely voluntary. You still hold your assigned My Number, which your employer will use as required for tax and social insurance filings.

I am a newly arrived international student. Do I get a My Number?

Yes. As long as you complete resident registration at your local ward office and your permitted stay exceeds 3 months, your My Number will be generated automatically, and a notification will be delivered to your registered address, typically within 2–3 weeks.

I lost my notification document. How can I find out my My Number?

Request a Certificate of Residence that explicitly displays your Individual Number (マイナンバー記載の住民票) at your ward office for a small fee (around ¥300). When applying, be sure to request the version including your My Number, as standard certificates omit this field by default.

Can the My Number Card replace my Residence Card?

No. Your Residence Card (在留カード) is issued by the Immigration Services Agency, and you are legally required to carry it with you at all times under the Immigration Control Act. The My Number Card serves merely as supplementary identification and cannot substitute for your Residence Card.

Do I need a My Number Card to purchase a SIM card in Japan?

No, it is not required. A valid Residence Card is sufficient to sign up for a mobile contract with most carriers. The My Number Card can merely streamline electronic identity verification (eKYC) in select online procedures. Furthermore, you should never disclose your 12-digit number to telecommunications providers, as they have no legal authority to collect it.

Since paper health insurance cards are phased out, am I forced to get a My Number Card?

No. Although traditional paper health insurance cards ceased new issuance on December 2, 2024, individuals without a My Number Card or those who have not linked their insurance credentials will be issued a Letter of Eligibility Confirmation (資格確認書) to ensure uninterrupted access to medical care. Inquire with your ward office's health insurance department or your employer for specific details.

I am moving from Tokyo to Osaka. Do I need to apply for a new card?

No, you do not need a new card. Submit a moving-out notification (転出届) at your previous municipality, then take your My Number Card to the ward office of your new residence within 14 days to submit your moving-in notification (転入届) and update the address on the card.

How long does it take if I apply online?

Generally 1 to 1.5 months. Applying online is not substantially faster than paper filing, but it significantly reduces the likelihood of application errors because the portal validates photo compliance upon upload.

Official Sources & References

• Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — Official portal on the My Number and My Number Card system: digital.go.jp
• Official My Number Card General Site (マイナンバーカード総合サイト) operated by J-LIS — Guidance on applications, reissuance, and security codes: kojinbango-card.go.jp
• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) — Residential Basic Book system and Individual Numbers: soumu.go.jp
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) — Guidance on Myna Insurance Cards and Letters of Eligibility Confirmation: mhlw.go.jp
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) — Regulations regarding residence cards and status of residence: isa.go.jp
• National Tax Agency (国税庁) — Utilizing the My Number Card with e-Tax: nta.go.jp
• Official websites of your local municipal ward/city offices (fee structures and specific administrative procedures vary by locality).

Verification Date

The information in this guide was cross-checked against the official sources listed above as of June 2025.

Policies concerning My Number, health insurance integration, and card validity guidelines for foreign residents continue to evolve. Reissuance fees, booking systems, and turnaround times also vary by municipality. Before visiting an office, please verify current details on your local city/ward office website or contact them directly. This article serves as an informational reference and does not replace official administrative directives.

Need a Japanese Phone Number and Data for These Procedures?

Here is an essential detail often overlooked: nearly every administrative process in Japan requires a Japanese phone number—for the ward office to reach you, for appointment reservations, and for receiving SMS verification codes when setting up MynaPortal or e-Tax. Many international students and newcomers find themselves stuck right at this step.

HD TELECOM (located in Shin-Okubo, Tokyo) provides dedicated multilingual support for foreign residents:

• Voice & Data SIMs — get a dedicated Japanese phone number to register for official procedures, receive calls from your ward office, school, or workplace. See how to sign up for a voice SIM.
• Monthly Data SIMs or 12-Month Prepaid SIMs if you just need reliable internet access to look up information and translate documents on the spot.
• Monthly eSIMs for eSIM-compatible smartphones, ready to activate instantly without waiting for postal delivery.
• Pocket WiFi solutions if your dormitory or apartment lacks home internet.

Feel free to browse all our products or check out our support page for details on payment and bank transfer options. Take your time, choose the plan that fits your budget, and if you have questions about living in Japan, explore more guides on our blog.