Introduction
“Do I actually have to get the Specified Residence Card?” “My company told me to apply. Can I say no?” As the June 2026 launch gets closer, these questions have been popping up more and more. For those of us living in Japan on a visa, anything related to our Residence Card feels sensitive. One wrong step and, what if it affects our status of residence? That anxiety is completely understandable.
Here’s the short version upfront: getting the Specified Residence Card is entirely optional. In this article, we’ll walk through the legal basis for why it’s optional, how to handle it if your company or school tells you to apply, and how to figure out whether switching makes sense for your situation. Whether you just arrived in Japan or you’ve been here for years, by the end you’ll know exactly where you stand.
Key Points
- Getting the Specified Residence Card is optional. It’s not a legal obligation
- The reason: My Number Card itself is optional, so a card built on top of it is too
- If your company or school asks you to get one, there’s no legal force behind that request
- If your visa renewal is coming up soon, switching at that timing can save you a trip
- Your current Residence Card stays valid until its printed expiration date. No need to rush
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of April 21, 2026. Always verify the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency’s official website. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
For the full picture of the new system, see our complete guide to the Specified Residence Card. For a side-by-side comparison of benefits and drawbacks, check out the benefits vs. drawbacks article. This article zooms in on just one question: is it mandatory, or is it optional?
The Answer: Getting the Specified Residence Card Is Optional
Let’s make this crystal clear right at the top.
Getting the Specified Residence Card is optional. It is not mandatory.
This is not a “everyone must switch” system. You can keep carrying your Residence Card and My Number Card as two separate cards and have zero problems. Your status of residence is not affected. Your period of stay is not affected.
Getting the Specified Residence Card is not a legal obligation. Even if you choose not to switch, there is zero impact on your status of residence or period of stay.
Why Is It Optional? The Legal Reasoning
“Is it really optional? Could they make it mandatory later?” If you’re thinking this, you’re not alone. Here’s the legal reasoning behind why it’s optional.
Reason 1: My Number Card Itself Is Optional
This is the simplest and strongest argument.
Under Japan’s My Number system, every resident is assigned a My Number (Individual Number). However, getting the actual My Number Card is optional. This applies to Japanese citizens and international residents alike.
The Specified Residence Card is essentially a Residence Card with My Number Card functions added. Since the underlying My Number Card is optional, the Specified Residence Card built on top of it is optional too.
(Source: My Number Card Official Site, "Do I have to apply for a My Number Card?")
Reason 2: The Immigration Law Amendment Uses “May Apply” Wording
The 2024 amendment to the Immigration Act (the one covering the Residence Card / My Number Card integration) states that a person may apply for the Specified Residence Card. Not “must apply.”
The law itself uses permissive language (“may”) rather than mandatory language (“must”). This is baked into the design of the system from the start.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, "Application for Specified Residence Card, etc.")
Reason 3: Regular Residence Cards Are Not Being Phased Out
Even after the system launches, regular Residence Cards (without My Number Card functions, in the new format) will still be issued. Opting out of the Specified Residence Card doesn’t leave you without a card, you’ll simply receive the standard new-format Residence Card instead.
Situation-by-Situation Q&A: When It Feels Mandatory
Legally, it’s optional. But real life is another story. You might feel social pressure to get one. Here’s how to handle the most common situations.
Q: What if my employer tells me to get a Specified Residence Card?
A: There is no legal force behind that request. Your employer cannot make getting the Specified Residence Card a work-related obligation, because there is no legal basis for requiring it. You are not legally bound to comply.
That said, your company likely has its own reasons. From June 2026, period-of-stay information disappears from the front of the Residence Card, and verifying it requires reading the IC chip. HR staff may find tracking employee visa expiration dates more labor-intensive, which is why some companies are nudging employees toward the Specified Residence Card for easier management.
A reasonable response: “I understand this isn’t a legal requirement, and I’ll consider switching when my visa comes up for renewal.” Calm, accurate, and practical.
Q: What if my school (for those on a Student visa) asks me to switch?
A: Also not mandatory. A school might want a simpler way to check your residence status, but making the Specified Residence Card a condition of enrollment or continued enrollment is not something they can legally do.
Q: What if an Immigration officer asks, “Would you like to switch to a Specified Residence Card?”
A: This is a suggestion, not a requirement. Immigration counters will likely mention it when you come in for a visa renewal, but saying “no thank you” has zero consequences. It does not affect the review of your application or your status of residence in any way.
Q: Could it become mandatory in the future?
A: As of April 2026, there are no published plans to make it mandatory. My Number Card itself is still optional, so it would be unusual to mandate a card that bundles My Number Card functions before the underlying card is mandatory.
That said, laws can change. We can’t promise “it will never become mandatory” with 100% certainty. It’s a good idea to check the Immigration Services Agency’s official announcements from time to time.
It’s Optional, but Who Actually Benefits from Switching?
“Optional” doesn’t mean “nobody should do it.” If you fit one of the situations below, switching can be genuinely worth your while.
| You should consider switching if… | Why |
|---|---|
| Your visa renewal is coming up within 6 months | You can switch during the renewal with almost no extra effort |
| You’re tired of making two trips between Immigration and city hall | One-stop procedures cut out one of those visits |
| You’re planning to move | You can apply when you file your moving-in notification |
| Your My Number Card is also near its expiration | You’re going to renew anyway. May as well consolidate |
On the other hand, if you match any of the following, there’s no rush.
| No need to switch yet if… | Why |
|---|---|
| Your visa renewal is more than a year away | Making a trip to Immigration just to switch is not efficient |
| You don’t have a My Number Card | You’d need to get a My Number Card first |
| You barely use your My Number Card | The benefit of combining cards is small for you |
For a more detailed comparison of benefits and drawbacks, see Specified Residence Card: Benefits vs. Drawbacks Compared in Detail.
Even if You Skip It, Something Changes: The New-Format Residence Card Affects Everyone
Here’s one thing to watch out for. While getting the Specified Residence Card is optional, the visual redesign of Residence Cards issued from June 2026 onwards applies to everyone.
In the new format, the following information disappears from the front of the card and is stored only in the IC chip:
- Period of stay
- Type of permission
- Date of permission
- Date of card issuance
In other words, even if you skip the Specified Residence Card, your next card (issued at your next visa renewal or status change) will have the new design. Because detailed expiry-related info is no longer printed on the surface, everyone needs to rethink how they track their renewal timing.
Getting the Specified Residence Card is optional, but the new Residence Card format (with less information printed on the front) applies to all cards newly issued from June 2026 onwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I keep using my current Residence Card?
A: Yes. Residence Cards issued before June 14, 2026 remain valid until the expiration date printed on the card. They won’t automatically expire when the new system starts.
Q: Am I at a disadvantage if I don’t get a Specified Residence Card?
A: No legal disadvantage. It does not affect your status of residence, your visa renewal outcome, or permanent residency applications.
Q: I don’t have a My Number Card. Can I still get a Specified Residence Card?
A: No. The Specified Residence Card is a Residence Card with My Number Card functions built in, so having a My Number Card is a prerequisite. You’ll need to apply for a My Number Card first.
Q: Can I switch back to a regular Residence Card after getting a Specified one?
A: Yes. You can return the My Number Card function and receive a regular Residence Card instead. As long as your status of residence is valid, a new Residence Card will be issued.
Summary: Since It’s Optional, Decide at Your Own Pace
Getting the Specified Residence Card is completely optional. It is not a legal obligation.
Three things back this up: (1) My Number Card itself is optional, (2) the Immigration Act uses “may apply” rather than “must apply” wording, and (3) regular Residence Cards are not being phased out.
If your company or school asks you to get one, there’s no need to panic. Look at your visa renewal schedule and how often you actually use My Number functions. Switch when the benefits clearly outweigh the effort, and not a day sooner.
For the full system overview, see our complete guide to the Specified Residence Card. For a detailed look at the pros and cons, check out the benefits vs. drawbacks comparison.
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