Japan: New Facial Photograph Requirement for Child Applicants Forthcoming

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced updated facial photograph requirements in connection with the issuance of the newly-formatted residence cards and special permanent resident certificates, effective June 14, 2026. Under the new rules, residence cards and special permanent resident certificates issued to eligible children will include a facial photograph. 

Applicants age one to 16 who apply before June 14, 2026, but are expected to receive their residence card on or after that date, may also be requested to submit a facial photograph, even if the application was filed before implementation. Currently, ISA offices have already begun, at the discretion of individual officers, requesting or recommending the submission of facial photographs for applicants who will be at least one year old as of June 14, 2026, and are expected to receive their new residence cards on or after that date, even if they are under one year old at the time the application is filed. This discretionary practice may continue during the transition period leading up to the implementation date. 

Individuals submitting notifications or applications for special permanent resident certificates between June 10 and June 13, 2026 who will be at least one year old as of June 14, 2026 must likewise submit a facial photograph. These applicants may also be asked to provide a facial photograph even if their application or notification was submitted before these dates. 

The online residence application system will be updated by June 14, 2026 to add this new requirement to the application process. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.