Can a Japanese grandmother bring her grandchild to Japan on 家族滞在?
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.
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Answer
As a rule, a Japanese national cannot bring a grandchild living abroad to Japan on 「家族滞在」. 「家族滞在」 is a status of residence for the spouse and child supported by a foreign national residing in Japan. Where there are special circumstances calling for humanitarian consideration, other statuses of residence such as 「特定活動」 may be considered.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from a Japanese national living in Japan who wants to bring her grandchild, who lives abroad, to Japan.
Subject: 家族滞在
Application type: 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 (Application for Certificate of Eligibility)
Situation: A Japanese woman, 75 years old, living in Japan. She wants to bring her grandchild, 5 years old and a US national, born to her daughter and son-in-law in the United States, to Japan to live with her. Her daughter and son-in-law have no plans to come to Japan because of their work.
Question: Can a Japanese grandmother living in Japan bring her foreign-national grandchild, 5 years old, to Japan on a 家族滞在 visa and live together? If so, what conditions and documents would be needed?
Why can't 「家族滞在」 be used?
Because 「家族滞在」 covers the spouse and child supported by a foreign national residing in Japan, and a Japanese grandmother cannot be the person supporting them.
The status of residence 「家族滞在」 covers the spouse and child supported by a foreign national residing in Japan.
The enquirer is a Japanese national, so she does not fall within "a foreign national residing in Japan". Also, the status covers only a spouse and a child; a grandchild is not included. For these 2 reasons, the grandchild cannot be brought to Japan on 「家族滞在」.
Are there other statuses of residence to consider?
Where there are special circumstances calling for humanitarian consideration, 「特定活動」 may be considered.
Where 「特定活動」 is considered in a case of bringing a grandchild to Japan, special circumstances such as the following are likely to be needed.
The parents (the daughter and son-in-law) are unable to support the child: illness, financial reasons or other unavoidable circumstances mean they cannot support the grandchild adequately. Official documents or a doctor's medical certificate proving that situation may be needed
The need for, and appropriateness of, support by the grandmother: being supported by the grandmother in Japan is in the grandchild's best interests
The grandmother's financial means: she has sufficient financial means to support the grandchild's life in Japan on a stable footing (pension income, savings and so on)
The grandchild's age and situation: being young and in need of protection may be taken into account
Arrangements for receiving the child in Japan: housing and care arrangements for the grandchild in Japan are in place
What documents does 「特定活動」 need?
The usual documents, plus documents showing why the parents cannot support the child and how the grandmother will receive them.
A detailed 理由書 (written explanation), setting out in concrete terms why the grandchild needs to be brought to Japan, why the parents cannot support them, and why support by the grandmother is needed
Documents proving the parents' situation (proof of their financial situation, a medical certificate on their state of health, official documents showing that they lack the means to support the child, and so on)
Documents proving the grandmother's financial means (certificate of pension receipt, certificate of bank balance, certificate of registered matters for real property, and so on)
The grandchild's birth certificate (a document proving the family relationship with the grandmother)
A copy of the grandchild's passport
A photograph of the grandchild
The grandmother's certificate of residence
A statement on how the grandchild will live in Japan (housing, care arrangements and so on)
Any other documents the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) asks for in the particular case
How likely is permission?
「特定活動」 rests on the broad discretion of the Minister of Justice, so even with such circumstances permission is not guaranteed.
Discretion: 「特定活動」 is granted on the broad discretion of the Minister of Justice, so even with circumstances such as those above, permission is not guaranteed
The need for humanitarian consideration: simply wishing to live together with a grandchild is unlikely to be enough for permission. You need to set out, in concrete terms, special circumstances calling for humanitarian consideration
Consulting in advance: we recommend first speaking directly with the 地方出入国在留管理局 that covers your area, explaining your particular situation and checking what may be possible
A Japanese national cannot bring a grandchild living abroad to Japan on 「家族滞在」, and it must be said that an application on 「特定活動」 also faces a high hurdle. If you have special circumstances, please consult a specialist who knows immigration and residence procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Japanese grandmother bring her grandchild from abroad to Japan on 家族滞在?
As a rule, no. 家族滞在 is a status of residence covering the spouse and child supported by a foreign national residing in Japan. A Japanese national cannot be the person supporting them, and a grandchild is not covered either.
Is there really no way to bring a grandchild to Japan?
Where there are special circumstances calling for humanitarian consideration, other statuses of residence such as 「特定活動」 may be considered. However, this rests on the broad discretion of the Minister of Justice, so permission is not guaranteed.
What kind of special circumstances are considered for 「特定活動」?
Circumstances in which the parents cannot support the child, the need for and appropriateness of support by the grandmother, the grandmother's financial means, the grandchild's age and situation, and the arrangements for receiving them in Japan.
Is there anything I can do before applying?
We recommend first speaking directly with the 地方出入国在留管理局 that covers your area, explaining your particular situation and checking what may be possible.
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.
