If you are a foreign resident in Japan, getting your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) is one of the most practical things you can do early on. It works as a government-issued photo ID, simplifies administrative tasks, and is increasingly required for everyday services like opening a bank account or accessing online government portals. This guide explains exactly what the My Number Card is, why it matters for foreigners, and how to apply for one step by step.
What Is the My Number Card?
The My Number Card is a physical ID card issued by the Japanese government. It displays your name, address, date of birth, gender, and a 12-digit individual number called your "My Number" (個人番号). For foreign residents, it also shows your nationality and residency status on the back.
Every person registered in Japan — including foreign residents with a valid residence card — is assigned a My Number. However, receiving a My Number notification letter and actually holding the card are two different things. The card itself is optional to carry, but having it makes life significantly easier.
Why Foreign Residents in Japan Should Get One
Many newcomers wonder whether the My Number Card is really necessary. Here are concrete reasons it helps:
- Accepted photo ID: It is one of the few official government-issued photo IDs available to foreign residents alongside the Residence Card (在留カード). Unlike a passport, it is slim, wallet-friendly, and issued by a Japanese authority.
- Opening a bank account: Banks such as Japan Post Bank (Yucho) and major megabanks increasingly accept or even prefer the My Number Card during account applications.
- Accessing MynaPortal: Japan's online government portal (MynaPortal / マイナポータル) requires the card to log in. You can check your tax records, pension contributions, and COVID-19 vaccination history.
- Health insurance card integration: The card can be linked to your health insurance (健康保険) so you can use it at clinics instead of carrying a separate health card.
- Convenience store administrative services: At kiosks in FamilyMart, Lawson, and Seven-Eleven, you can print residence certificates (住民票) and other documents without visiting city hall.
- Money transfers and financial services: Some online services and money transfer providers operating in Japan require identity verification that is faster or smoother with a My Number Card.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Any person registered in the Japanese resident register (住民基本台帳) can apply. This includes:
- Foreign nationals holding a medium- to long-term residence status (work visa, student visa, spouse visa, etc.)
- Special permanent residents
- Japanese citizens (naturally)
Short-term visitors and people who are not registered residents are not eligible. If you have just arrived, make sure you complete your address registration at your local municipal office (市区町村役場) first — that is a prerequisite.
What You Need Before Applying
- Your My Number notification card (通知カード) or the notification letter you received by post — this contains your 12-digit My Number
- Your Residence Card (在留カード)
- A valid email address (for the online application method)
- A recent photo of yourself (if applying online, a smartphone photo works; specific size requirements apply for paper applications — confirm the latest specs on the official J-LIS website)
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Method 1: Online Application (Recommended)
This is the easiest method and can be done entirely from your smartphone.
- Find your application ID on your My Number notification card or the accompanying documents sent to your registered address.
- Visit the official online application site managed by J-LIS (地方公共団体情報システム機構). Search for "マイナンバーカード 申請" or go to id.mynacard.go.jp — always confirm you are on the official government domain.
- Enter your application ID, upload a clear face photo, and submit.
- Wait for a postcard notification (交付通知書) to arrive at your registered address. This typically takes several weeks, though processing times vary by municipality.
- Bring the postcard, your notification card, your Residence Card, and your passport to your local municipal office on the date you select. You will set a 4-digit PIN at the counter.
Method 2: Application at City Hall or Municipal Office
If you prefer in-person help or do not have easy internet access, you can pick up a paper application form at your local municipal office, fill it in, attach a photo, and submit it there or by post. Staff at most large city halls in urban areas are accustomed to helping foreign residents.
Method 3: Via a QR Code on Your Notification Documents
Some notification documents include a QR code that takes you directly to the application form. This is functionally the same as Method 1 but skips manual entry of your application ID.
Collecting Your Card
Once the postcard arrives, you must collect the card in person — it cannot be sent by post or collected by someone else in ordinary circumstances. Bring all the documents listed on the notification postcard. You will choose PINs for different functions (signature PIN, utilization PIN) at the counter, so take a moment to decide on them beforehand.
Important Things to Know
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card validity (foreigners) | Generally valid until your residence period expires or until age 70 (whichever comes first for the IC chip). Confirm exact rules with your municipality. |
| Cost | Free for the first issuance. Reissuance due to loss may incur a fee — check current rates officially. |
| Address changes | When you move, you must update your address at city hall. Failing to update can invalidate the card. |
| Lost card | Report immediately via the My Number Card call centre (available 24 hours) to suspend it, then reapply at your municipal office. |
| Language support | Many large city halls offer multilingual counters or multilingual staff. The J-LIS website also provides guidance in multiple languages. |
Practical Tips for Foreigners
- Book an appointment: City hall counters can be very busy. Many municipalities let you book a My Number Card collection appointment online or by phone — check your local city hall website.
- Keep your notification card safe: Even after you receive the My Number Card, do not throw away old documents until you have confirmed your number is recorded correctly.
- Check opening hours: Some municipalities offer evening or weekend hours specifically for working people — very useful if you cannot take a weekday off.
- Link it early: Once you have the card, linking it to your health insurance and setting up MynaPortal sooner rather than later means fewer trips to city hall later.
Summary: Your My Number Card Journey Starts Simply
The My Number Card in Japan is genuinely useful for foreign residents — not just bureaucratic paperwork. With it, you have a recognised photo ID, smoother access to financial services, and the ability to handle many administrative tasks without standing in a queue at city hall. The application process is straightforward once you have your My Number and a registered address in Japan.
As with all government procedures, rules and processing times can change. Always check the latest information on the official J-LIS website or your local municipal office before you apply. If language is a barrier, do not hesitate to ask at the counter — most major city halls have resources to help foreign residents, and many staff are used to these questions.
Getting the card might feel like one more task on a long list when you first arrive in Japan, but it is genuinely one of the most worthwhile items to tick off early. Take it one step at a time, and you will have your card in hand before you know it.