How can a child on 家族滞在 who is 18 years old go on to a vocational school?

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）

What is this enquiry about?

A child who is 17 years old lives with a parent holding a work status of residence. The question is about the child's status of residence and schooling once the child turns 18 years old.

What happens to 「家族滞在」 when the child turns 18 years old?

Turning 18 years old does not in itself affect the status of residence. As long as the child is supported, the child can stay on 家族滞在.

「家族滞在」 is a status of residence granted to the spouse or the child of a foreign national living in Japan, where that spouse or child is supported by them.

So even when your son turns 18 years old, he can stay in Japan on the 「家族滞在」 status of residence as long as he is supported by you. He will not lose his status of residence because of his age alone.

Do I need to change status of residence to go on to a vocational school?

You can enrol while staying on 家族滞在. But to use support schemes for international students, you need to change to 「留学」.

Enrolling in a vocational school itself is possible while you keep the 「家族滞在」 status of residence.

However, with a status of residence other than 「留学」, you may not be able to use the various support schemes for international students, such as scholarships. If you are thinking of using such schemes, talk to the school first, and then change your status of residence to 「留学」.

Also, if the child works part-time alongside their studies while on 家族滞在, 資格外活動許可 (Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted) is needed. For details, see Can I work part-time on 家族滞在?

What documents are needed to change to 「留学」?

You apply to the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) with jurisdiction, attaching the letter of admission and documents showing you can pay the tuition.

• 在留資格変更許可申請書 (the application form for Change of Status of Residence)
• Passport
• 在留カード (Residence Card)
• Letter of admission from the vocational school
• Documents showing you can pay the tuition (certificate of bank balance, proof of remittance, and so on)
• Any other documents the 地方出入国在留管理局 asks for separately

How long screening takes depends on how busy the 地方出入国在留管理局 is. In general it is said to take around 1 month and a half to 3 months in many cases.

Is there anything to watch out for in the procedure?

You cannot enrol until permission is granted, and if your 在留期間 (period of stay) is close to expiring, you need to apply for an extension at the same time.

• As a rule, you cannot enrol in the vocational school until the change of status is granted
• If your current 在留期間 expires while the change application is being processed, you also need to file an 在留期間更新許可申請 at the same time
• For the documents showing you can pay the tuition, please prepare ones that show a sufficient amount

Your next steps

1. Get admission to the vocational school
   First, obtain a letter of admission from the vocational school you will attend.
2. Prepare the documents
   Gather the documents listed above.
3. Apply at the 地方出入国在留管理局
   File the 在留資格変更許可申請 at the 地方出入国在留管理局 with jurisdiction over your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

• What happens to 家族滞在 when a child turns 18 years old?
• Does a child moving up through school help with extending 家族滞在?
• Can I bring my child who has a medical condition to Japan?
• Can a single mother bring her child to Japan on 家族滞在?

This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.