Japan Residence Card
Japan Residence Card Photo Requirements – Zairyu Card (在留カード)
Check your Japan Residence Card (Zairyu Card) photo against official 35×45mm requirements. White background, taken within 3 months, neutral expression. Free AI check.
Last updated Apr 26, 2026
Verified against the official source · May 11, 2026Japan Residence Card (Zairyu Card) Photo Requirements
The Japan Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) is issued by the Ministry of Justice to mid- to long-term foreign residents. Photos submitted with renewal or status-change applications must meet strict biometric standards.
- Size: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI).
- Background: plain white or very light background, no patterns.
- Head height: 60–80% of the total image height.
- Taken within the past three months.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open.
- No glasses, no tinted lenses, no hats.
- Full face must be visible — no hair covering the forehead or eyes.
Where to Submit Residence Card Photos
Residence Card photos are submitted in person at the Regional Immigration Bureau or via the online application system (ぴったりサービス / Immigration Services Agency portal).
- In-person: bring two printed 35×45mm photos.
- Online: upload a compliant JPEG during the status-change or renewal form.
- Working Holiday or new visa applications: attach the same format.
Why Zairyu Card Photos Are Rejected
The Immigration Services Agency uses biometric scanners. The most common rejection reasons are photo age (older than three months), off-white background, and glasses.
- Photo taken more than three months ago.
- Background has shadows, texture, or is cream/yellow rather than white.
- Glasses present — clear lenses and rimless glasses are also not permitted.
- Hair covers part of the forehead or eyebrows.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
How Japan Residence Card Photo compares to similar documents
Every figure below is read from the same rule profiles this checker validates against, so it says what actually differs rather than what sounds different.
The same specification
A photo that passes for Japan Residence Card Photo meets the same measurable requirements as Ethiopia Passport. Size, head height and background are identical; check each portal's own file-size limit before uploading.
What changes for nearby documents
- China Visa wants 33×48mm, not 30×40mm; head fills 58–69% of the frame, not 70–80%; file limit 150 KB, not 240 KB.
- Australia Visa wants 35×45mm, not 30×40mm; file limit 3500 KB, not 240 KB; an off-white or light grey background, not pure white.
- India Visa wants 600×600px, not 30×40mm; head fills 50–69% of the frame, not 70–80%; file limit 300 KB, not 240 KB.
- Singapore Passport/PR wants 35×45mm, not 30×40mm; head fills 64–76% of the frame, not 70–80%; file limit 2000 KB, not 240 KB.
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