This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
In this case, the child cannot apply for permanent residence first. Permanent residence as a rule requires continuous residence of at least 10 years, and a child who was born only recently cannot meet this on their own. The realistic approach is for all 3 family members to apply at the same time, once the couple meet the requirements.
An enquiry from a couple in their 3rd year in Tokyo, about an application for permanent residence for the family including their child.
As a rule each applicant is screened individually, but where you support dependants, the situation of the household as a whole also has an effect.
An application for permanent residence as a rule screens whether the applicant personally meets the requirements. However, where you support family members as dependants, the situation of the household as a whole, including those family members, has an effect on screening.
Where you have a child, obtaining permanent residence has the large benefit of securing a stable life and a stable educational environment for your child in Japan.
Not in this case, because the child cannot meet the residence-period requirement on their own.
As a basic requirement for permanent residence, continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years is required as a rule. This applies to children too, so a child who has only just been born in Japan cannot meet this requirement on their own at present.
As an exception, in the case of a "child of a Japanese national, a 永住者 (Permanent Resident) or a 特別永住者 (Special Permanent Resident)", some of the requirements are relaxed, for example to living continuously in Japan for at least 1 year. However, this special treatment applies where either the father or the mother is already a 永住者, or is a Japanese national. The enquirer and her husband are not yet 永住者, so in this case it would be difficult for the child alone to apply first and obtain permanent residence.
It lets you show stability as a household, but each of you as a couple still has to meet the requirements.
In screening for permanent residence, what matters as a rule is whether each applicant individually meets the requirements. Not only the enquirer herself but also her husband needs to satisfy the requirements, such as the period of residence, stable income, tax payment status, enrolment in social insurance, and whether there have been any traffic violations.
Both husband and wife have 3 years of residence under 在留資格「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, but the general requirement for an application for permanent residence is continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years (including at least 5 years of work under a work-related status of residence). At present, neither of them meets this requirement.
Build up the period of residence, while carrying out your public duties and keeping your income stable.
Several years from now, once the couple fully meet the requirements, applying at the same time as a family of 3 including the child is the smoothest approach. At that point it becomes more likely that the child will be treated as a "child of a 永住者" and that the special treatment relating to the general 10-year residence rule will apply, and you will also be able to show that the family as a whole has a stable base for living.
Not where neither parent is yet a 永住者 or a Japanese national. Permanent residence as a rule requires continuous residence of at least 10 years, and a child cannot meet this on their own either.
Continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years as a rule, including at least 5 years of work under a work-related status of residence.
No. Screening for permanent residence as a rule looks at whether each applicant individually meets the requirements, so each of you as a couple needs to satisfy them.
They can. Even where the violations are minor, if there are many of them, your attitude towards complying with the law is looked at during screening, so care is needed.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.