How to Make a Japanese ID Photo with Your Phone – From Taking It to Printing at a Convenience Store

• Stand in front of a plain white, light blue or light gray wall, a little away from it so there’s no shadow
• Face a window or another bright light so your face is evenly lit
• Have someone take it with the rear camera, or prop up your phone and use the timer, rather than a selfie
• Shoot from about 1m away without zoom, framing from the chest up (too close distorts your face)
• Keep the camera at eye level, face forward and tuck your chin slightly
• Keep hair away from your eyes and face, and remove hats and masks

Photos heavily edited with beauty filters may be rejected for ID applications. Keep edits to brightness.

Common sizes are below. Requirements can differ, so always check the instructions.

• Residence card (zairyu card): 40×30mm (height × width)
• Résumé (rirekisho) and entry sheets: 40×30mm
• My Number card: 45×35mm
• Japanese passport: 45×35mm, with detailed rules such as face size
• Driver’s license: 30×24mm

Our ID Photo Maker crops your photo to Japanese ID sizes in the browser, with no app to install. Your photo is never uploaded; it’s processed on your own device.

1. Open ID Photo Maker and select your photo (iPhone HEIC photos work as they are)
2. Choose the size: résumé, My Number / passport, or driver’s license
3. Drag the photo so your face fits the dotted frame, and adjust the size and brightness
4. Download the single photo for online applications, or the L-size print sheet for printing

Upload the downloaded JPG in the photo field of online application forms. For a résumé made in Word, insert it with Insert → Pictures and fit it to the photo box. If the form has a size limit, make the file smaller with Compress Image.

For paper forms, print the L-size sheet at a convenience store. One L-size print holds 6 résumé-size or residence-card-size photos, or 4 My Number-size photos.

1. Save the L-size sheet to your phone
2. Send it with the store’s print app, such as “かんたんnetprint” at 7-Eleven or “PrintSmash” at FamilyMart and Lawson
3. At the multi-copy machine, choose photo print (写真プリント) at L size (L判)
4. Cut the photos out neatly with a cutter and ruler

Don’t choose enlarging, reducing or borderless printing, which can change the size or crop the edges. Write your name on the back of each photo before gluing it on, in case it comes off.

The My Number card accepts phone photos that meet its requirements (facing forward, no hat, plain background, taken recently). Residence card photos have their own requirements from the Immigration Services Agency, and passport rules are especially strict.

Check the official photo requirements before applying. If you’re unsure, use a photo booth or studio.