The optional photo ID card version of your My Number. Genuinely worth getting.
Not verified yet
Drafted from general knowledge of national procedure. Not yet checked against the official source — confirm details with your city hall before relying on them.
Why it matters
It is optional, but it is the only photo ID many foreign residents can get besides their residence card, and it lets you print residence certificates from a convenience store instead of taking a morning off work to queue at city hall.
- Deadline
- No legal deadline
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Application 30 min, then ~1 month wait, then a collection visit
Do these first
What to bring
- My Number notificationマイナンバー通知·mai nambā tsūchi
- ID photo顔写真·kao jashin
Passport-style. Photo booths are everywhere and cost a few hundred yen.
How it goes
- 1
Apply online, by mail, or at a photo booth
The notification you received includes an application code. Several application routes exist — online is usually the least painful.
- 2
Wait, then collect it in person
Processing commonly takes around a month. You will be sent a collection notice and must pick the card up yourself at city hall — it is not mailed to you.
- 3
Set your PINs and keep them safe
You will set several PIN codes at collection. You need them for convenience-store document printing.