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）
Being a single mother is not in itself a reason for denial. If you hold 特定技能2号, you can bring your child to Japan on 「家族滞在」. However, where one parent brings a child alone, screening is more careful than where both parents are together. The key is to show 3 points with documents: parental authority, the childcare arrangements, and the ability to support the household.
A single mother who has changed to 特定技能2号 wants to bring her child, who is in her home country, to Japan.
Being a single mother is not in itself a reason for denial, but screening is carried out carefully.
To give the conclusion first: you will not be denied because you are a single mother. 特定技能2号 is a status of residence under which you are allowed to bring a spouse and children with you on 在留資格「家族滞在」 (Dependent).
That said, as a tendency in practice, a case where one parent brings a child on their own is screened more carefully than one where both parents are together. The purpose is to check that the child's welfare, meaning the child's safety, is secured. It is important to understand what is being checked, and to show each of those things with documents, one by one.
To bring a child who is overseas, you first apply in Japan for a 在留資格認定証明書 (Certificate of Eligibility). Once it has been issued, you apply for a 査証 (visa) at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
3 points: legal parental authority, the childcare arrangements in Japan, and the ability to support the household.
You need to prove each of these, one by one, with documents.
A birth certificate, plus a divorce judgment or a certificate of single status, and, if possible, a letter of consent from the father.
You prove that the child is your biological child, and that you hold legal custody.
A letter of consent from the father raises the credibility of the application considerably if you can submit it. Preparing it takes some know-how in your home country, and it also has to be translated into Japanese, so allow plenty of time before your deadline.
Show in writing that a nursery is likely to take the child, and that your employer will support you.
A child of 4 years old cannot be left at home alone. You show that you have secured a safe environment for the child while you are at work.
Go to the childcare section of your city or ward office and tell them that you are planning to bring your child to Japan and would like to apply for a nursery place. Attach the childcare guide booklet you receive at the office, a record of your enquiry, and material on available places.
Ask your employer to help, and to issue a document (a written opinion or letter from the employer) setting out the support the company will give: for example, that it will take your childcare into account when it comes to overtime, that it will adjust your shifts, and that it will allow you to take paid leave if your child suddenly runs a fever.
Show with tax assessment and tax payment certificates, payslips and your employment contract, and your lease, that you can support a household for the two of you.
Set out logically how you came from obtaining 特定技能2号 to preparing to bring your child over, and give a concrete childcare plan for 1 day.
It is not only a matter of gathering documents. The 理由書 (written explanation), or childcare plan, that you write yourself can decide the outcome of the screening. Rather than appealing to emotion, set it out logically, along these lines.
If you can put together documents that say "this is my annual income, and this is the preparation I have made on top of it, so I can manage on my own", you can expect a good result. Start by talking to your employer and to the childcare section of your local office. Note also that, in practice, how family accompaniment (家族滞在) for 特定技能2号 is handled can differ depending on the size of the accepting company and on the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau).
No. If you hold 特定技能2号, you can bring your child to Japan on 「家族滞在」. That said, where one parent brings a child alone, screening does tend to be more careful than where both parents are together.
3 points: whether you have legal custody (parental authority), the childcare arrangements in Japan, and the ability to support the household. You need to prove each of these with documents, one by one.
If your former husband is alive and you can contact him, submitting a letter of consent notarised at a notary office in your country raises the credibility of the application considerably. If you are divorced, also prepare a copy of the divorce judgment or divorce decree stating clearly that parental authority rests with the mother.
Submit material showing that a nursery is likely to take the child, such as a record of your enquiry to the childcare section of your city or ward office and the childcare guide booklet, together with a document issued by your employer setting out its support, such as taking your childcare into account for overtime and adjusting your shifts.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.