Explaining how foreigners can obtain a My Number card! A must-see for those planning to move to Japan
Japan has a "My Number System" (social security/tax number system) to prove individual identity. For foreigners who are planning to immigrate to Japan, but are not sure about the My Number Card, which I often hear about, we will introduce a convenient system for obtaining a My Number.
What is My Number Card?
My Number Card is a card with a 12-digit number given to all people who have a ``residence card'' in Japan. This number is being used as a social infrastructure to confirm that personal information belongs to the same person for purposes such as social security, taxes, and disaster prevention.
Example of using My Number Card
My Number Card is used in the following situations.
① When receiving social security such as pension, childcare allowance, medical services, etc.
It is used for administrative work to confirm eligibility for pensions, employment insurance, child allowances, welfare benefits, etc.
② When filing a tax return
It is used for administrative work related to final tax returns, etc.
③ When sending or receiving money overseas
It is used for administrative work related to overseas remittances.
④ When opening an account at a bank
It is used for administrative work related to account opening.
⑤When using as an official identification card
The My Number card contains your name, address, gender, date of birth, and photograph, so it is used as an identity verification document in place of a driver's license or passport.
Why is my number card useful?
My Number Card is equipped with an IC chip and serves as an electronic certificate, making it possible to do the following in administrative procedures.
・Fill your final tax return using the online service “e-Tax”
Normally, when filing a tax return, you have to go to a tax office and complete the procedures, but if you use your My Number Card, you can easily complete your tax return online.
Reference: https://www.e-tax.nta.go.jp/
・Apply for child allowance and nursery school using Pittari Service
Normally, when applying for a child allowance or a licensed nursery school, you need to go through the necessary procedures at a government office, but you can apply online using your My Number card.
Reference: https://myna.go.jp/SCK1501_02_001/SCK1501_02_001_Init.form
・Obtain a copy of your resident card, seal registration certificate, etc. at a convenience store.
Normally, you would have to go to a government office to receive documents such as a residence card, but if you use your My Number Card, you can do it at a nearby convenience store.
・Use it as a health insurance card
After obtaining your My Number Card, you can apply online from Mynaportal and use it as a health insurance card at medical institutions, pharmacies, etc.
Reference: https://myna.go.jp/
How to make my number card
We have summarized how to apply for a My Number Card, which is very convenient to have.
[How to apply]
① Make sure you have the application form for issuance of your personal number card.
The application form for issuance of an individual number card is the application form required to create a My Number card, and will arrive from the government office two to three weeks after it is registered in the resident register along with the individual number notification form. An individual number notification is a document that contains your name, date of birth, and my number (individual number).
② Apply online from your smartphone or computer
(1) Read the QR code written on the application form and access the application-specific URL
(2) Register your email address, application ID written on the application form, face photo, whether or not you wish to issue an electronic certificate, whether or not it is written in Braille, and your date of birth.
(3) Confirm that the application completion email has been sent to the registered email address.
(4) Approximately one month later, confirm that the notification of issuance has arrived at your home via postcard from the municipality.
(5) Bring the following required documents and go to the government office to receive your My Number Card by the deadline stated on the issuance notification (postcard).
[Required documents]
- Issuance notification (postcard)
- Identity verification documents such as residence card or driver's license
- "Notification card" (those who received it before May 2020)
- Basic resident register card (only for those who have it)
- My Number Card (only for those who have it)
Alternatively, you can apply from an ID photo machine , or by mail using the envelope provided with the application form for issuance of an Individual Number Card .
If you lose your My Number Card
We have summarized what to do if you lose your My Number Card.
Procedures when you lose your My Number Card
(1)Call the call center and request temporary suspension of use.
To prevent the possibility of misuse, please request a temporary suspension from the number below.
Personal number card call center: 0570-783-578 (temporary suspension applications available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
(2) Report the loss to the police and make a note of the receipt number.
Please report the item as lost so that it can be retrieved if it is reported to the police.
(3) Follow the procedures to apply for reissuance to the municipality.
Submit a notification card loss report and reissuance application to the My Number department at the city hall where you are registered as a resident.
It will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks from the time the procedure is completed until it is reissued, so please be careful not to lose it.
Reference: My Number Card comprehensive website https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/faq/
summary
My Number Card is an electronic certificate with a number attached to prove your identity. Why not create a My Number card to make cumbersome administrative procedures easier or to use it as an ID with a face photo?
