Japan's Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) requires a 30×40mm photo — smaller than a Japanese passport photo (35×45mm) but larger than the driver's license photo (24×30mm). Digital submission is 354×472 pixels at 300 DPI. The aspect ratio is 3:4. If you're preparing photos for multiple Japanese documents at the same time, note that each one requires a different crop — there is no shared format across the three.
Japan Residence Card Photo Specifications (30×40mm)
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size | 30×40mm |
| Digital size | 354×472 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Aspect ratio | 3:4 |
| Background | White (RGB 255,255,255) |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Smile | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Issued by | Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) |
| Processing time | Same day (at airport on arrival) or 2–4 weeks (at immigration office) |
| Fee | Free (at entry) |
| Validity | Linked to visa status |
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Residence Card vs Passport vs Driver's License Photo
Japan uses three distinct photo sizes across its major identity documents. The Residence Card sits between the passport and the driver's license in size.
| Document | Print Size | Digital Size | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License (運転免許証) | 24×30mm | 283×354px | 4:5 |
| Residence Card (在留カード) | 30×40mm | 354×472px | 3:4 |
| Japanese Passport (旅券) | 35×45mm | 413×531px | ~7:9 |
Each document requires a separately cropped photo. A passport photo is too wide and too tall for a Residence Card submission. A driver's license photo is too small for either. If you're applying for multiple documents at the same appointment, bring photos in the correct format for each one.
Who Needs a Japan Residence Card (Zairyu Card)?
The Residence Card is required for all foreign nationals residing in Japan for more than 3 months. This includes:
- Work visa holders (engineer/specialist, skilled worker, business manager, etc.)
- Student visa holders
- Dependent visa holders
- Spouse of Japanese national visa holders
- Permanent residents
Short-stay visitors (tourist visas up to 90 days in most cases) do not receive a Residence Card. Everyone else does.
The card must be carried at all times. Japanese law requires foreign residents to present their Residence Card upon request by a police officer or immigration official. Failure to carry it can result in a fine.
How to Submit Your Residence Card Photo at Immigration
At the airport on arrival: For most visa types, Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) staff issue the Residence Card at the port of entry. The photo is captured on-site. You don't bring a photo to the airport for this process.
At an immigration office for new applications or changes: When applying for a status change, extension, or new Residence Card through an immigration office, you submit the card application with photos. Bring two 30×40mm prints taken within the past 3 months.
For replacement cards: A lost, stolen, or damaged Residence Card requires a replacement application at your local immigration office. Submit two 30×40mm photos with the application form.
Check the Immigration Services Agency website or your local immigration office for the current required number of photos, as this has changed in some processes in recent years.
Japan Residence Card Photo Requirements in Detail
Background. White — not off-white, not grey, not patterned. A white wall works. Most photo studios in Japan are familiar with Residence Card requirements and can produce the correct format.
Expression. Neutral, mouth closed. No smiling. Eyes fully open, looking directly at the camera.
Recency. Photos must have been taken within 3 months of submission. An older photo, even technically perfect, will not be accepted.
Head coverage. The face should occupy most of the frame — from just above the top of the head to just below the chin. Excessive space above the head or below the chin is grounds for rejection.
No headwear. Hats, caps, and hoods are not allowed. Religious head coverings are permitted if worn daily for religious reasons.
No glasses. All eyewear is prohibited — prescription frames, reading glasses, and sunglasses. Remove glasses before the photo is taken. This is consistent with the Japanese passport and My Number Card requirements.
Finding a 30×40mm Photo Studio or Booth in Japan
Photo studios (証明写真) throughout Japan offer Residence Card-sized photos. Most large train stations have self-service photo booths (証明写真ボックス) that include a 30×40mm option in their menu. Select "在留カード" or "3×4cm" from the machine's document list — don't select "パスポート" (passport), which will produce the wrong size.
A standard studio print session produces multiple copies. Residence Card applications typically require two prints, so you'll have spares.
If you're using a photo from overseas, confirm that the dimensions are precisely 30×40mm and the aspect ratio is exactly 3:4. Photos printed abroad may be in slightly different sizes depending on the country's ID photo standard. A 1mm deviation in either dimension is usually acceptable, but anything larger risks rejection at the immigration window. Print on matte photo paper where possible — glossy prints can cause reflection issues under the immigration office's scanning equipment.
Check your photo dimensions before submitting — the compliance check confirms your photo meets the 30×40mm and 3:4 aspect ratio requirements.
The Residence Card uses a 30×40mm photo — its own distinct size, not a passport crop and not a driver's license crop. Get the format right, ensure the photo is recent, and the immigration office process is straightforward.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Residence Card Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned, including clear prescription lenses
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — only for daily religious reasons; face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- Natural appearance — no heavy makeup that significantly alters your features
All Japanese Documents Compared
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Recency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Card | 30×40mm | White | Not allowed | 3 months |
| Japanese Passport | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | 6 months |
| My Number Card | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | 6 months |
| Driver's Licence | 24×30mm | Light blue | Allowed | — |
| Japanese Visa | 45×45mm | White | Not allowed | 6 months |
Key differences: the Residence Card has the strictest recency requirement (3 months vs 6 months for other documents). The driver's licence is the only Japanese document that allows glasses and uses a coloured background. None of these photo formats are interchangeable — each requires its own crop.
Quick Checklist for Japan Residence Card Photos
- Size: 30×40mm (354×472px at 300 DPI)
- Background: white (RGB 255,255,255)
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 3 months (stricter than passport)
- Two prints required for immigration office submissions
- Current Residence Card or passport ready
For a full list of Japanese document photo specifications, visit the Japan country page. Verify your photo with the passportsize-photo.online checker before your immigration appointment.
