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Visa Renewal Pending? Keep Your My Number Card Valid
A quick playbook for extending My Number Card validity during visa renewal—timing, documents, and fixes in one page.
Don’t wait for your new residence card: if your period of stay is expiring and your visa renewal is still “in process,” go to your municipal office before your My Number Card expires to request the one-time two-month special extension, then go back again after you receive the new zairyū (residence) card to extend the card properly.
Part of our My Number Card application for foreigners in Japan 2026: the fast, nationwide guide (even if you lost the form) guide.
Timing rules (so your card doesn’t hit “period of stay expiration”)
For many foreign residents, My Number Card validity is tied to the period of stay expiration on the residence card, and it does not update automatically after immigration renews your status. (See: Mie International Exchange Foundation guidance.)
- If your residence card expires soon and renewal is pending: do the municipal-office special extension now (before your My Number Card expires).
- When you receive your new residence card: return to the municipal office to extend your My Number Card validity to match the new period of stay.
- If your My Number Card already expired: you may be forced into reissuance (slower + fees).
| Situation | When to go | What to ask for at the counter | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa renewal in progress; residence card expiry is near | Before your My Number Card expires | “Two-month special extension My Number Card” (special-period extension) | Validity extended up to 2 months while you wait (one-time; no re-extension). (Example municipal rule: Kawasaki City.) |
| New zairyū card issued (period of stay extended/changed) | As soon as possible (some cities require you to come from the next day) | “Update/extend My Number Card validity to match my residence card” | My Number Card validity updated to match the new residence card. (Example: Sendai City handout.) |
| My Number Card already expired | Immediately | Ask whether you can still renew, or if you must reapply/reissue | If not renewed in time, the card can be treated as void and you may need reissuance. (See: Sendai City handout.) |
Counter checklist (municipal office My Number Card update + residence card)
This is the “municipal office My Number Card update residence card” visit—different from immigration, and usually handled at your city hall/ward office My Number counter.
- My Number Card (physical card)
- Residence Card (zairyū card)
- If you already received the new one: bring the renewed card.
- If renewal is still pending: bring your current card plus acceptable proof (below).
- PINs: at minimum the 4-digit PIN is commonly required; bring any additional PINs you’ve set because they may update electronic certificates too. (Example: Sendai City.)
- Appointment/queue plan: some municipalities require reservations for My Number procedures—check your city’s site ahead of time. (General reminder: Digital Agency guidance.)
Proof your renewal is actually “in progress” (don’t show up with the wrong paper)
| Usually accepted proof (examples) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Residence card with an official “Applying for Renewal of Status of Residence” stamp on the back | Some cities explicitly list this as valid evidence for the 2-month extension. (See: Sendai City.) |
| Online application confirmation email/message (if you applied online) | Some cities accept the online confirmation as proof. (See: Sendai City.) |
| Other receipts (agent “safekeeping” receipts, etc.) | May be refused depending on municipality; don’t assume it’s enough. (See: Sendai City.) |
Failure modes & fixes (fast troubleshooting)
| What went wrong | Why it happens | Fast fix |
|---|---|---|
| My Number Card expires before immigration finishes renewal | Foreign-resident card validity can align to period of stay and won’t auto-update | Request the two-month special extension My Number Card before expiry, then return once you receive the new zairyū card. (Example: Kawasaki City.) |
| You only brought a “receipt” and got turned away | Some municipalities require a specific stamp on the residence card or the online confirmation message | Ask immigration about getting the correct notation/stamp on your residence card (or bring the online confirmation), then revisit city hall. (Example evidence list: Sendai City.) |
| Your My Number Card is already expired/void | If you miss renewal within validity, the card can be treated as invalid | Confirm whether you must reissue; budget typical reissuance fees (example fee schedule: Kobe City). |
| You can’t use online services (Mynaportal, e-sign, etc.) | Your electronic certificate may be expired even if the card still “looks OK” | Renew electronic certificates at the municipal office; if expired, online identity verification won’t work. (See: Digital Agency explanation.) |
Nationwide quick-reference: costs, phone help, hours
| What | Cost | Hours (Japan time) | Phone / Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Number general hotline (My Number Card, electronic certificates, etc.) | Toll-free | Weekdays 9:30–20:00; weekends/holidays 9:30–17:30 (loss/theft suspension available 24/7) | Digital Agency: Inquiries about My Number System |
| Foreign-language My Number hotline (menus vary by language) | Toll-free | Varies by line (see the official hour list) | Digital Agency: foreign-language numbers |
| Immigration procedure questions (general info center) | Call charges apply (0570) | Mon–Fri 8:30–17:15 (excluding holidays) | Phone and details listed in A Guide to Living in Saitama (Foreign Residents General Information Center) |
| FRESC (Foreign Residents Support Center) appointments | Varies by consultation | Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00 (excluding holidays) | Address/phone listed in A Guide to Living in Saitama (FRESC: Yotsuya Tower, Shinjuku) |
| Typical My Number Card reissuance (if you let it lapse and must reissue) | Example: ¥800 (card) + ¥200 (electronic certificate) | Municipality-dependent counter hours | Example fee disclosure: Kobe City |
Keep this playbook pinned in LO-PAL so your city-hall visit stays a 10-minute errand, not a second trip — Back to full guide.
Written by
Taku Kanaya
Founder, LO-PAL
Former Medical Coordinator for Foreign Patients (Ministry of Health programme) and legal affairs professional. Built LO-PAL from firsthand experience navigating life abroad.
Written with partial AI assistance
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