Japan New Residence Card: What You Must Know
A massive documentation overhaul hits Japan on June 14, 2026, shifting the foreign resident landscape. The Immigration Services Agency is rolling out the Specified Residence Card (Tokutei Zairyu Card), combining your standard ID and My Number Card into a single, high-security IC chip document. Simultaneously, all traditional cards will receive a complete visual redesign with key visibility changes. Understanding these strict new rules, application roadmaps, processing times, and highly structured visa fee hikes is critical to keeping your status secure. Be proactive and master this permanent digital transition to protect your long-term life and career in Japan.