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With the New Design Residence Card and Specific Residence Card issued on or after June 14, 2026, the “Period of Stay,” “Type of Permission,” “Date of Permission,” and “Date of Issuance,” which were previously printed on the card face, are no longer indicated. What remains on the card face is only the expiration date of the Period of Stay; the duration itself, such as “1 year,” “3 years,” or “5 years,” cannot be read from the card face. On August 19, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency released a new version of the Residence Card Reader App, enabling three of these items to be displayed from the IC chip. In this article, an Administrative Scrivener will clarify what has been removed and what remains, and how to confirm these details, based on primary information from the Immigration Services Agency, from the perspectives of both foreign nationals and corporate HR professionals.
The system of the cards themselves is explained in detail in “Differences Between Specific Residence Card and Second Generation Residence Card,” and procedures for loss or damage are explained in “What to Do if You Lose Your Residence Card? Reissuance Explained.” Please refer to these articles as well.
With the New Design Residence Card and Specific Residence Card issued on or after June 14, 2026, the following four items are no longer indicated on the card face:
These items have only disappeared from the card face; they are recorded in the IC chip within the Residence Card. The Immigration Services Agency states that since the information indicated on the card face is recorded in the IC chip, it is possible to confirm the records within the IC chip using the “Residence Card Reader App” provided by the Agency.
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Confirmable on Card Face | Name, Date of Birth, Sex, Nationality/Region, Residence, Status of Residence, Expiration date of Period of Stay, Residence Card number, Residence Card expiration date, Presence/absence of work restriction, Indication of Permission for Activities Outside Status of Residence if granted |
| Not Confirmable on Card Face (Recorded in IC chip) | Period of Stay, Type of Permission, Date of Permission, Date of Issuance |
💡 Previous versions of Residence Cards remain valid. The Immigration Services Agency states that even after the issuance of the new design begins, previous versions of Residence Cards and similar documents remain valid, and there is no need to switch to a Specific Residence Card or the new design. Even if your current card is an old design, there is no need to rush to complete procedures.
Initially, the Reader App could not display the four items not indicated on the card face, even when reading a New Design Card. The Immigration Services Agency has completed its update work and announced that “Period of Stay,” “Type of Permission,” and “Date of Permission” will be displayed starting from the version released on August 19, 2026 (Reiwa 8).
However, the “Date of Issuance” cannot be confirmed even after this update. The Immigration Services Agency has explicitly stated this in its FAQ.
Of the four items removed from the card face, three can now be confirmed via the app. The “Date of Issuance” cannot be confirmed even after the update.
| Edition | Version | Operating Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Edition | ver1.8.0 | Windows 11 (ARM, x64 compatible) |
| Mac Edition | ver1.7.0 | macOS 13 or later |
| Android Edition | ver1.11.0 | Android 12.0 or later |
| iOS Edition | ver1.10.0 | iOS 16.0 or later |
The Immigration Services Agency advises that the application may not function correctly if an older version is used. Please ensure that you are using the latest version before use.
These two terms are often confused in practice:
Only the expiration date remains on the card face of the New Design Card. Knowing the expiration date allows one to determine the renewal period, so there is no hindrance to daily Status of Residence management. However, “how many years of permission were granted this time” cannot be determined from the card face. The progression, such as whether the previous period was 1 year and this time it became 3 years, or vice versa, cannot be confirmed without reading the IC chip.
The Residence Card Reader App is designed to read personal information, facial photos, and other data stored within the IC chip of Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates. The Immigration Services Agency states that by comparing the read information with the information printed on the card surface, it is easy to verify the presence of forgery or alteration. The app is distributed free of charge on its website and other platforms with the aim of strengthening measures against forged/altered Residence Cards.
| Usage Environment | Required Equipment |
|---|---|
| When using a PC | Contactless IC card reader/writer (Limited to models supporting extended APDU) |
| When using a smartphone | NFC Type B compatible device |
Card readers that do not support extended APDU cannot read the information. Please check the specifications before purchasing. Please note that it does not support iPads. The Immigration Services Agency explains that iPads cannot be used because they lack a versatile NFC interface and are therefore not in an environment where this application can be effectively utilized.
The Immigration Services Agency positions this app as something to be used when identity verification is necessary in situations such as employment contracts or various transactions, other than those stipulated by law. It states that when using it, it is necessary to obtain the presentation of the Residence Card, etc., with the individual’s consent, just like with other identification documents. Unauthorized reading is not intended.
Under its privacy policy, the app does not transmit information such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, region, address, Status of Residence, Period of Stay, Residence Card number, or facial image read from the Residence Card, etc., to the Immigration Services Agency or any third party. The fact that the read content is not centrally stored can be a reassuring point when explaining it to the individual.
This is a very important distinction in practice. The Residence Card Reader App and the Expired Information Inquiry verify different things.
| Method | What can be verified |
|---|---|
| Residence Card Reader App | Authentication that the card is authentic and display of card surface content based on IC chip records (i.e., verification of card surface information) |
| Residence Card Number Expired Information Inquiry | Whether that Residence Card number has not expired (i.e., verification of validity) |
The Immigration Services Agency states that by using the app, card surface information can be verified more accurately, and by conducting an expired information inquiry, the validity of the Residence Card can be confirmed. It then requests that if the app is used, the expired information inquiry should also be used in conjunction. This is because even if the card itself is genuine, it may have already expired.
Use the Residence Card Reader App to check ‘if it’s genuine,’ and the Expired Information Inquiry to check ‘if it’s still valid.’ This two-step approach is fundamental.
As of November 14, 2025 (Reiwa 7), the Expired Information Inquiry became available from the Residence Card Reader App. Also, please note that the URL for the Expired Information Inquiry has changed as of January 5, 2026. Companies with outdated bookmarks are advised to update them at this opportunity.
Since the Specific Residence Card has functionality as a My Number Card, it is also possible to read information such as the Period of Stay using the My Number Card reader app “Face-to-Face Verification App” distributed by the Digital Agency. However, as of the Immigration Services Agency’s announcement, it is stated to be iOS version only.
The practical impact for businesses is clear. It means that some of the information previously visible is no longer visible by simply visually inspecting the card surface.
However, information directly related to determining eligibility for employment, such as Status of Residence, expiration date of Period of Stay, presence/absence of work restrictions, and presence/absence of Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence, remains on the card surface. The basics of daily residence management can still be performed by checking the card surface as before. Furthermore, if one wishes to confirm the type of permission or the length of the Period of Stay, reading the IC chip will be necessary.
⚠️ “I didn’t know” is not an excuse. The Crime of facilitating illegal employment stipulates that even if an employer was unaware that a foreign national did not possess a work Status of Residence, they shall not be exempt from punishment unless they were not negligent in that regard. Documenting the fact of confirmation and the procedures followed serves as a practical safeguard for businesses.
The Immigration Services Agency’s FAQ lists points to check when reading fails, such as whether the card reader/writer is correctly connected, whether the drivers are correctly installed, and whether the device was restarted after installation. A caution is also provided that if the material of the desk or other surface where the card reader is placed is metal, it may not operate correctly.
If reading is still not possible after taking these measures, or if the content displayed on the screen differs from the information on the card face (e.g., the photo on the card face and the image are different), forgery or alteration of the card is suspected in addition to IC chip malfunction. In such cases, please contact your nearest regional Immigration Services Agency office.
For those who have received a new card, the most confusing point is likely that “my Period of Stay is not written on the card.” Keeping the following four points in mind should be sufficient.
For Residence Cards issued on or after June 14, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the following changes have also been implemented.
| Item | Issued until June 13, 2026 | Issued on or after June 14, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Validity Period (For those with indefinite Period of Stay, such as Permanent Resident or Highly Skilled Professional (ii)) | 7 years from the date of issuance (until the day before the 16th birthday for those under 16 years old) | Until the 10th birthday (5th birthday for those under 18 years old) after the date of issuance |
| Facial Photo on Card Face | Not displayed for those under 16 years old | Also displayed for those aged 1 to under 16 years old |
Please note that the validity period of Residence Cards issued to mid- to long-term residents with a fixed Period of Stay will continue to be until the expiration of their Period of Stay. This point remains unchanged.
Q1. My current Residence Card is the old design; do I need to exchange it for a new one?
A. No, you do not. The Immigration Services Agency states that Residence Cards of the previous design remain valid even after the issuance of new design Residence Cards, and there is no need to switch to a Specific Residence Card or new design Residence Card.
Q2. If I install the reader app, can I also confirm the date of issuance?
A. No, you cannot. The Immigration Services Agency explicitly states that even after the revision on August 19, 2026, the “date of issuance” cannot be confirmed.
Q3. I want to use it with my computer, can my existing card reader read it?
A. It is limited to models of contactless IC card reader/writers that support extended APDU. Models that do not support this cannot read the card, so please check the specifications before purchasing.
Q4. Can I use it with an iPad?
A. It is not supported. The Immigration Services Agency states that iPads cannot be used because they do not have a versatile NFC interface and are therefore not in an environment where this application can be effectively utilized.
Q5. Can I determine if a card is valid solely with the reader app?
A. The reader app authenticates the card’s authenticity and displays the information on the card face. It is necessary to confirm whether the card number has expired using the Expired Information Inquiry. The Immigration Services Agency also requests the combined use of the app and the Expired Information Inquiry.
Q6. Is it permissible to read an employee’s Residence Card without their consent?
A. This is not intended. The Immigration Services Agency states that, similar to other identification documents, it is necessary to obtain the individual’s consent before receiving the presentation of their Residence Card, etc. Please explain the purpose of the confirmation to the individual before requesting its presentation.
Q7. I have a Specific Residence Card. Are there any methods other than the Immigration Services Agency’s app?
A. Since the Specific Residence Card functions as a My Number Card, it is possible to read information such as the Period of Stay using the “Face-to-Face Verification App” distributed by the Digital Agency. However, as of the Immigration Services Agency’s announcement, only the iOS version is available.
With the New Design Residence Card and Specific Residence Card issued from June 14, 2026, “Period of Stay,” “Type of Permission,” “Date of Permission,” and “Date of Issuance” have been removed from the card face and are now recorded on the IC chip. Furthermore, with the update to the Residence Card Reader App on August 19, 2026, three of these items can now be displayed by the app (excluding the Date of Issuance).
We recommend that HR professionals at companies incorporate a three-part set of visual inspection of the card face + Residence Card Reader App + Expired Information Inquiry into their hiring process and keep records of the confirmations made. Foreign nationals themselves will have no issues with old-style cards as before, and even with new-style cards, if they remember that the expiration date can be confirmed on the card face, they will not encounter daily difficulties.
The app is distributed free of charge by the Immigration Services Agency. Companies that have already implemented it should check once to ensure it is updated to the latest version. If the version is outdated, the three items added this time will not be displayed.
Our office provides consultations to both foreign nationals and accepting companies, including practical advice on Residence Card verification.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
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Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
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・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of August 2026. The details and operation of the system may change in the future. For actual applications, please refer to the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
