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Japan residence card photo: 30x40 mm size and rules

The Japan residence card photo is 30x40 mm, with the face about 25 mm from top of head to chin, on a plain background without shadows. It must be taken within 6 months and not retouched.

  • 30×40 mm
  • 355×473 px
  • White
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
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Make your Japan Residence Card (Zairyu Card) photo

30×40 mm · background: white

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JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC. Drag it here or choose a file.

  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

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Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

Japan Residence Card (Zairyu Card) photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - Photo specifications for applications. Official page

Photo size
30 × 40 mm (1.18 × 1.57 in)
Digital size
355 × 473 px
Resolution
300 DPI
File format
JPG
Head height (chin to crown)
22–28 mm
Background
White
Glasses
Allowed without glare or tinted lenses
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Printed copies
1
Submission
Printed and digital

4x3 cm with face 25+/-3 mm from top of head (including hair) to chin, 5+/-3 mm above the head and face centred (15+/-2 mm); taken within 6 months, name on the back. Online applications take a JPEG with 4:3 (height:width) ratio. Retouching that changes the person's appearance (eyes, skin whitening, moles) or mirrored photos are rejected; frames must not cover eyes.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

The Japan residence card photo rules in plain words

The photo is 4 cm high by 3 cm wide (30x40 mm, or 1.18 x 1.57 in). The face, from the top of the head including hair to the chin, should measure 25 mm with a tolerance of 3 mm, so about 22-28 mm. There should be about 5 mm (plus or minus 3 mm) of space above the head, and the face is centred, 15 mm (plus or minus 2 mm) from the side.

  • Taken within the last 6 months, with your name written on the back of a printed photo.
  • Background: plain, with no scenery or shadows. Dark backgrounds are rejected.
  • Glasses: allowed, with no glare, and frames must not cover the eyes.
  • Head covering: religious only, face fully visible.
  • Online applications take a JPEG with a 4:3 height-to-width ratio (355x473 pixels).

No retouching

Retouching that changes how a person looks is refused. This includes altering the eyes, whitening the skin and removing moles. Mirrored photos are also rejected. Keep any background replacement to a plain, even tone and leave your face as it is.

How to take the photo at home with a phone

Use a plain, light wall and stand a metre in front of it to prevent shadows. Face a window for even light. Ask someone to take the picture at eye level, not from above or below.

  • Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression.
  • Keep your head level and centred in the frame.
  • Check that frames of glasses do not cross your eyes and that no light bounces off the lenses.
  • Do not use a beauty mode or any skin smoothing.

Common reasons a residence card photo is rejected

  • Dark background. Dark backdrops are rejected.
  • Shadows. Any shadow on the background or on the face counts against you.
  • Retouching. Changing eyes, skin tone or moles.
  • Mirrored image. The photo must show you as you are.
  • Frames covering the eyes. The eyes must be fully visible.
  • Old photo. It must have been taken within 6 months.

Printing or uploading

You can submit a printed photo or a digital one, depending on how you apply. For paper, print at 300 DPI at 30x40 mm and write your name on the back lightly. For online submission, use the JPG with the 4:3 height-to-width proportions.

IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser and does not upload it. If an official authority rejects the photo, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days.

Helpful guides

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Frequently asked questions

What size is the Japan residence card photo?

It is 30x40 mm (3 cm wide by 4 cm high). The digital version is 355x473 pixels.

How big should the face be?

From the top of the head including hair to the chin, the face is 25 mm with a tolerance of 3 mm.

Is a dark background acceptable?

No. Dark backgrounds are rejected. Use a plain background without shadows.

Can I retouch my photo?

No. Retouching that changes appearance, such as altering the eyes, whitening skin or removing moles, is rejected, and so are mirrored photos.

How recent must the photo be?

It must have been taken within the last 6 months.

Related photo requirements

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Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.