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）
Who this article is forA person living in Japan on a work or study status of residence asks how far the range of family members they can bring over goes.
As a rule, the only family members you can bring on a 家族滞在 visa are your spouse and a child who is a minor and unmarried. Brothers, sisters and parents are not covered. In either case, the relationship must be valid in law, the person doing the supporting must have a stable financial capacity, and you must live together.
A person living in Japan on a work or study status of residence asks how far the range of family members they can bring over goes.
Only the spouse and the children of the person doing the supporting. Brothers, sisters and parents cannot, as a rule, be brought over.
The family members you can bring to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa are the spouse and the children of a foreign national who falls under either of the following.
On the other hand, the family of a person living in Japan on the 「短期滞在」 (Temporary Visitor) status of residence cannot, as a rule, be brought over on a 家族滞在 visa.
Family members other than the spouse and the children, such as brothers, sisters and parents, are as a rule outside the scope of the 家族滞在 visa. For them to stay in Japan for a long period, they need to obtain a different status of residence.
A marriage that is valid in law, plus the ability to support, living together, and a good record of stay.
The lawful spouse (a spouse with whom a marriage has been legally established) of a foreign national living in Japan can be brought to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa. The following conditions have to be met, however.
The child must be a biological or adopted child who is a minor and unmarried, and the ability to support, living together and a good record of stay are also expected.
A biological or adopted child of a foreign national living in Japan who is a minor and unmarried can be brought to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa. The following conditions have to be met, however.
Proving the ability to support, and starting early on the documents you have to obtain in your home country.
If you are unsure whether a 家族滞在 visa application is possible in your case, or what documents you need, please consult a specialist such as a gyoseishoshi registered to submit applications.
As a rule, no. The 家族滞在 visa covers only the spouse and a child who is a minor and unmarried. For a long stay, they need a different status of residence.
No. A marriage has to have been validly established in law in Japan or in your home country, and the relationship has to be continuing.
As a rule, no. The family of a person living in Japan on the 「短期滞在」 status of residence is treated as outside the scope of the 家族滞在 visa.
In some cases, yes. However, the parent-child relationship has to be recognised as being the same as with a biological child, and whether the adoption is a sham is one of the things examined.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.