Japan Zairyu Card Photo Requirements 2026: 30x40mm Size & Free Maker

If you live in Japan as a foreign national, sooner or later you will need a photo for your Zairyu Card (在留カード, residence card). The single most common mistake — repeated in immigration offices across Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka every day — is submitting a 35 x 45 mm Japanese passport photo when the Zairyu Card actually requires 30 x 40 mm. The two specifications look almost identical at a glance, but Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA) treats them as different documents with different rules. This guide covers every detail of the 2026 Zairyu Card photo requirement so your Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, COE), residence card issuance, or status renewal does not get sent back at the counter.

Official Zairyu Card Photo Size: 30x40mm (Not 35x45)

The Japan Immigration Services Agency requires Zairyu Card photos to be exactly 30 mm wide by 40 mm tall. This format is used across every form related to the residence card: COE applications submitted from inside Japan on behalf of a foreign worker, visa applications submitted at Japanese embassies abroad, residence card issuance at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu airports, and any change-of-status or extension filed at a regional immigration bureau.

Key dimensions defined by ISA:

Photo size: 30 x 40 mm (width x height)
Head height: approximately 32 mm from chin to crown (about 80% of photo height)
Top margin: roughly 4 mm of space above the top of the head
Recency: taken within the last 3 months (stricter than passport’s 6 months)
Background: plain white or light blue — pale, uniform, no shadow
File: JPEG for online submission via Visit Japan Web or e-application portals

This 30 x 40 mm format does not match any other major Japanese government photo. It is unique to the residence card system and a handful of related immigration documents.

Difference Between Zairyu Card Photo and Japan Passport Photo

This is the single biggest source of rejected applications. A passport photo printed at a 7-Eleven booth will not satisfy a residence card filing, even though both are issued by the Japanese government.

Item	Zairyu Card (在留カード)	Japan Passport
Issuing authority	Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁)	Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省)
Photo size	30 x 40 mm	35 x 45 mm
Head height	About 32 mm	32-36 mm
Background	White or light blue	Plain white only
Recency	3 months	6 months
Online format	JPEG, used on Visit Japan Web and e-applications	JPEG, used on My Number Portal
Glasses	Allowed if no glare, but discouraged	Strongly discouraged

If you already have a compliant 35 x 45 mm passport photo, you cannot simply trim it down — the head-to-frame ratio is different, and the printed output will fail measurement at the immigration counter. You need a separate file produced at the correct 30 x 40 mm aspect ratio.

When You Need a Zairyu Card Photo

Foreign residents in Japan use the 30 x 40 mm photo for nearly every interaction with the Immigration Services Agency. Common scenarios in 2026:

Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, COE) application filed in Japan by an employer, school, or family member.
Long-term visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad once the COE has been issued.
Residence card issuance when you first land at a designated port of entry (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Hiroshima).
Extension of period of stay (在留期間更新) at a regional immigration bureau.
Change of status of residence (在留資格変更) — for example, from student to engineer/specialist in humanities.
Re-issuance of a lost, damaged, or defaced residence card.
Permanent residence application (永住許可申請).
Re-entry permit (再入国許可) when the existing photo is no longer current.

In every one of these cases the photo must be 30 x 40 mm.

Background Rules

The ISA accepts either plain white or light blue for residence card photos — slightly more lenient than the passport, which only accepts white. In practice, most convenience store booths default to white, which is always safe.

The background must be uniform with no shadow behind the head or shoulders.
No patterns, gradients, posters, curtains, or visible furniture.
Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to avoid casting a shadow.
Light blue is occasionally seen on photos taken at professional studios for company-sponsored visa applications; both are equally accepted.

If you are submitting digitally through Visit Japan Web or an online e-application, the background colour must look natural and even on a screen — heavily edited or AI-replaced backgrounds tend to be flagged for review.

Facial Expression and Head Position

The Immigration Services Agency follows the same general portrait standards used worldwide, with a few specifics worth knowing.

Neutral expression with mouth closed. Smiling is rejected.
Eyes open and looking straight at the camera. Both pupils must be visible.
Head straight, not tilted to either side or tipped up or down.
Hair off the face. Bangs must not cover the eyebrows; long hair must not hide the outline of the face.
Full face from crown to below the chin within frame.
No filters, no skin smoothing, no whitening. ISA reviewers are trained to spot beauty-mode artefacts.

If you wear daily religious head coverings, they are permitted as long as the full face from chin to forehead is clearly visible.

Glasses Policy

Glasses are technically allowed for the Zairyu Card photo, but the rules in 2026 are stricter than they used to be.

No glare or reflection on the lens.
No tinted or coloured lenses.
Frames must not cover the eyes or the outline of the face.
Pupils, iris, and the area around the eyes must be fully visible.

Many regional immigration bureaus — especially Tokyo Shinagawa and Osaka — have begun routinely asking applicants to retake photos that show even mild glare. Most foreign residents now follow the same approach as for the passport: remove glasses for the photo.

Recency: 3 Months (Stricter Than Passport)

A frequently overlooked rule: the Zairyu Card photo must have been taken within the last 3 months, not 6. This is half the window allowed for passport photos and applies to every residence-card-related filing.

If you used a photo for a previous immigration application four months ago, you cannot reuse it. The ISA can match photos against earlier filings and will reject one that exceeds the 3-month limit. For applicants whose appearance has changed (significant haircut, weight change, new facial hair, different glasses), a fresh photo is required regardless of date.

Where to Take a Zairyu Card Photo in Japan

Japan offers several practical options for foreign residents who need a 30 x 40 mm photo on short notice.

Convenience store photo booths (証明写真機) inside many 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, and Daily Yamazaki branches. Look for machines that explicitly list 「在留カード用 30x40」 on the menu — not all booths offer this size, but newer Ki-Re-i and DNP photo machines do. Cost: 700-1,000 yen.
Standalone Ki-Re-i and Pikuchan booths at major train stations (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo). Most include a residence card preset. Cost: 800-900 yen for several prints plus a digital download code.
Camera shops such as Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Kitamura Camera, and Camera no Kitamura. Staff will ask which document the photo is for and select the correct preset. Cost: 1,500-2,500 yen, with digital file included.
Professional photo studios (写真館). Highest quality, especially useful for permanent residence applications. Cost: 3,000-5,000 yen.

When in doubt, ask the operator directly: 「在留カード用の30x40ミリでお願いします」 — “30 x 40 mm for the residence card, please.”

How to Print 30x40 vs 35x45 from a Convenience Store Photo Booth

Convenience store booths are the most common option, but the menu can be confusing because the passport (35 x 45) and Zairyu Card (30 x 40) selections sit next to each other on the touchscreen.

Insert coins (typically 700-900 yen).
On the menu, tap 証明写真 (ID photo).
Select the document category. Look for 在留カード (residence card) or 30x40 mm. Do not tap パスポート (passport) — that produces 35 x 45 mm.
Sit on the stool, follow the on-screen guide for head position, and review the preview.
Confirm and print. Most booths produce four to six identical prints on a single sheet plus a digital download code valid for around a month.

If the booth does not list a 30 x 40 mm option, choose the 「免許証用 24x30」 + 「履歴書用」 generic mode is not equivalent. Walk to a different booth or use a camera shop instead.

Submitting the Photo (Online via Visit Japan Web vs In-Person at Immigration Office)

There are now two main submission paths in 2026.

In-person at a regional immigration bureau (地方出入国在留管理局): Bring a printed 30 x 40 mm photo and attach it to the application form in the designated box. The clerk will check the size, recency, and image quality before accepting the file. This is still the default route for status changes and extensions.

Online via Visit Japan Web or the ISA e-application portal: For new arrivals and certain renewals, you can upload the photo as a JPEG. Recommended specs:

File format: JPEG
Aspect ratio: 3:4 matching the 30 x 40 mm print
Minimum resolution: 480 x 640 pixels
Recommended: 900 x 1200 pixels or higher
Maximum file size: typically 3 MB

Make sure the image was taken within the last 3 months and shows your current appearance. The portal will reject a file with the wrong aspect ratio before it even reaches a human reviewer.

Student Visa Photo Specifications

If you are entering Japan on a student visa (留学), the photo you submit at the Japanese embassy abroad and the photo your school files for the COE both follow the residence card standard: 30 x 40 mm, white or light blue background, taken within 3 months. This is the same specification used for engineer/specialist in humanities, dependent, and most other long-term work and family categories.

A few practical notes for student applicants:

Japanese language schools and universities almost always request the photo digitally as a JPEG to attach to the COE filing.
The same file is then printed at 30 x 40 mm and brought to the Japanese embassy for the visa interview or counter submission.
After arrival, the airport immigration officer will issue your physical Zairyu Card on the spot using a photo from the COE file — you usually do not need to bring a fresh photo for that step.
For part-time work permission (資格外活動許可) added later, no new photo is required.

If you are extending your student visa in Japan, you do need a fresh 30 x 40 mm photo taken within the last three months.

Special Cases: Permanent Residence Application Photo

Permanent residence (永住者) applications are filed at a regional immigration bureau and follow the same 30 x 40 mm standard. However, because the application takes 6-12 months to process and the resulting card is valid for life of stay (with a 7-year card expiry), most applicants invest in a professionally taken photo rather than a convenience store print. The ISA does not require a studio photo, but a clean, well-lit image reduces the chance of any back-and-forth during review.

Common Reasons Zairyu Card Photos Get Rejected

Wrong size. A 35 x 45 mm passport photo submitted in place of the 30 x 40 mm residence card photo.
Photo older than 3 months. Reusing an older image from a previous filing.
Shadow on the background behind the head or ears.
Smile or open mouth.
Hair covering the eyebrows or face outline.
Beauty-mode filter applied by smartphone.
Glare on glasses.
Frame or border added to the photo when uploading.
Wrong aspect ratio on a digital upload (a 35:45 file will not pass a 30:40 check).
Heavily edited or AI-generated background that does not match the lighting on the face.

Tips for First-Time Foreign Residents in Japan

Keep a clean digital copy of your 30 x 40 mm photo on your phone. You will need it again sooner than you expect — extension, change of status, lost card.
When taking a fresh photo, also generate a 35 x 45 mm version for your passport and any Japanese embassy filings. They are different specs, but you can capture both from a single high-resolution source.
Print at a convenience store the day before your immigration appointment, not weeks ahead — this keeps you well inside the 3-month window even if the appointment gets delayed.
Write your name and date of birth lightly in pencil on the back of the printed photo, as the immigration office sometimes asks for this on the application form.
Bring two prints to your appointment in case one gets damaged or the clerk asks for an extra.

Next Steps

The Zairyu Card photo and the Japan passport photo are governed by different agencies, different sizes, and different recency rules. Submitting one in place of the other is the most common reason foreign residents get sent back to the photo booth.

For the 30 x 40 mm residence card photo covered in this guide, you can produce a compliant file using our online tool and either print it at any convenience store or upload the JPEG directly to Visit Japan Web.
For the 35 x 45 mm Japanese passport photo, use the dedicated Japan passport photo tool.
For Japanese embassy visa applications abroad that follow the passport spec, see the Japan visa photo tool.

Authorities referenced in this guide: the Japan Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, isa.go.jp), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (外務省, mofa.go.jp), and the Visit Japan Web e-application portal. Photo specifications are accurate as of May 2026 and are reviewed against the latest ISA application forms; if the agency updates its rules, this page is revised to match.