Which family members can I bring to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa?
Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
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）
Answer
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.
What is this enquiry about?
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.
Subject: status of residence (visa)
Application type: 家族滞在 (在留資格認定証明書交付申請, Application for Certificate of Eligibility)
Situation: A foreign national living in Japan on a work visa or a student visa wants to live in Japan together with family in their home country.
Question: How far does the range of family members you can bring to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa go? What conditions does each of them have to meet?
How far does the range of family members go?
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.
A foreign national living in Japan on one of these statuses of residence: 「教授」 (Professor), 「高度専門職」 (Highly Skilled Professional), 「経営・管理」 (Business Manager), 「研究」 (Researcher), 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), 「介護」 (Nursing Care), 「興行」 (Entertainer) or 「技能」 (Skilled Labor)
A foreign national living in Japan on the 「留学」 (Student) status of residence
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.
What are the conditions for bringing over a spouse?
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.
A valid marriage The marriage must have been validly established in Japan or in your home country, and the relationship must be continuing. A common-law partner does not qualify.
Ability to support The foreign national living in Japan is expected to have the financial capacity to support the spouse steadily while the spouse lives in Japan. Income, assets and the like are examined.
Living together As a rule, you are expected to live together with your spouse in Japan.
A good record of stay The foreign national living in Japan is expected to obey Japanese law and social rules, and to have a good record of stay.
What are the conditions for bringing over a child?
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.
A minor and unmarried The condition is that the child is a minor at the time of application (generally under 18 years old) and is not married.
Ability to support The foreign national living in Japan is expected to have the financial capacity to support the child steadily while the child lives in Japan.
Living together As a rule, you are expected to live together with the child in Japan and to provide 監護・教育 (care and education).
A good record of stay The foreign national living in Japan is expected to obey Japanese law and social rules, and to have a good record of stay.
An extra condition for an adopted child For an adopted child, the parent-child relationship must be recognised as being the same as with a biological child. Whether the adoption is a sham is one of the things examined.
Is there anything to watch out for before applying?
Proving the ability to support, and starting early on the documents you have to obtain in your home country.
The ability to support is examined carefully. Not only how stable your income is, but also your past income and your tax payment record are taken into account
You need the originals of the documents proving the marriage or the parent-child relationship (戸籍謄本 (family register), marriage certificate, birth certificate and so on), together with a Japanese translation of each. These have to be obtained in your home country, so please start preparing early
Even if you meet the conditions, permission may not be granted depending on your individual circumstances
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my parents or my brothers and sisters over on a 家族滞在 visa?
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.
Does a common-law partner count as a spouse for the 家族滞在 visa?
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.
If I am in Japan on 短期滞在, can I bring my family over?
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.
Can an adopted child be brought over on a 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.
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.
