head 55–70 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceImmigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), Ministry of Justice
Verified
Quick answer: A Japan residence permit photo must be 30 × 40 mm. Even plain background without shadows. Head occupies 55–70% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 30 × 40 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 55–70% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Even plain background without shadows. |
| Pose | Full face, no noticeable tilt; face turned towards the lens. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible without strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No harsh shadows or overexposure. |
| Attire | Keep the original clothing and a visible shoulder line. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 30 × 40 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3 × 4 cm |
| Inches | 1.18 × 1.57″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 354 × 472 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 709 × 945 px |
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) sets one standard for the photographs submitted with residence applications — status of residence, extension, change, residence card: 4 cm high × 3 cm wide (30 × 40 mm), «the applicant alone», bareheaded and facing forward, «no background (shadows included)», sharp, «taken within six months before the day of submission», with the name written on the back (unless the photo is printed straight into the photo field of the form). The dimensions must match the ISA drawing, measured without the border, the face from the crown including the hair to the chin — the drawing gives a face of 25 ± 3 mm, a top margin of 5 ± 3 mm and the face 15 ± 2 mm from the edge.
The ISA lists what it rejects: a face off-centre or turned, a tilted body, a shadow on the background, glasses frames over the eyes or very thick, light reflected in the glasses, a mask, a fringe over the eyes, a face covered with cloth that leaves a shadow, a very dark background, a blurred picture — and «image processing that makes the eyes look bigger, whitens the skin or corrects face parts, moles or wrinkles is unsuitable in any case»; a mirror-reversed photo is unsuitable too. If the face is covered with cloth for a religious or medical reason, you give a statement (free form); cloth that leaves the face sharp is no problem.
One English procedure page (Business Manager) says the photo must be taken within three months — check the page of your own application.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Japan residence permit applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), Ministry of Justice publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A photo that does not meet the size or the dimensions of the drawing, or is off-centre, turned sideways or tilted | Print 4 × 3 cm with the face 25 ± 3 mm from crown to chin, centred and facing forward. |
| A shadow on the background or face, a dark background that hides the outline, a blurred or shaken picture | A plain background without shadows, an even light, a sharp picture. |
| Glasses frames over the eyes or very thick, reflections in the glasses, a mask, a fringe over the eyes, cloth that leaves a shadow on the face | Frames clear of the eyes, no reflection, no mask, forehead and eyes visible, no hat. |
| An edited photo (enlarged eyes, whitened skin, corrected moles or wrinkles) or a mirror-reversed one | Use an unedited photo that has not been flipped. |
| A photo taken more than six months before the day of submission (three months on some procedure pages) or without the name on the back | Take a new photo, and write the name on the back unless it is printed into the form. |
How to take it
Background: plain, one colour
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 55–70 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 30 × 40 mm.
Glasses only if no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 10 (5 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 49 (7 × 7) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A status-of-residence application in Japan is filed at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau (or online for the procedures that allow it) with one photograph, the passport and the residence card.
isa.go.jp — procedures by status of residence; the Bureau that covers your address
4 × 3 cm, no hat, no background or shadow, within six months (three months on some pages), name on the back.
Authority page| Authority | Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), Ministry of Justice |
|---|---|
| Source | Submitted photograph standard: 30 x 40 mm, 25 +/- 3 mm head |
| Verified |
Questions
4 cm × 3 cm, the applicant alone, bareheaded and facing forward, no background or shadow, sharp, taken within six months before the day of submission (three months on some procedure pages), the name on the back, and no editing.
4 cm high and 3 cm wide (30 × 40 mm), with the face from the crown including the hair to the chin 25 ± 3 mm on the ISA drawing.
No: the ISA says image processing that enlarges the eyes, whitens the skin or corrects face parts, moles or wrinkles is unsuitable in any case, and a mirror-reversed photo is unsuitable too.
The standard is bareheaded; if the face is covered with cloth for a religious or medical reason, a statement in a free form is requested, and cloth that leaves the face sharp is no problem.
The Japan residence permit photo must be 30 × 40 mm. The head must occupy 55–70% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Even plain background without shadows. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Japan immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
30 × 40 mm = 3 × 4 cm = 1.18 × 1.57 inches. At 300 dpi that is 354 × 472 pixels; at 600 dpi, 709 × 945 pixels.