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）
Even while you are living in Japan with 在留資格「留学」 (Student), you can bring your wife and child over. The status of residence to apply for is 「家族滞在」. You apply in Japan for a 在留資格認定証明書 (Certificate of Eligibility), and once it has been issued they apply for a 査証 (visa) at the Japanese embassy or consulate there.
A reader studying at a graduate school in Japan wants to bring over his wife and their child, who is 5 years old.
It is granted to the spouse and children who are supported by a foreign national living in Japan.
「家族滞在」 is a status of residence granted to the spouse or child who is supported by a foreign national living in Japan. If you live in Japan with 「留学」 and you support your wife and your child, who is 5 years old, you apply for 「家族滞在」 for both of them.
For an overview of the status of residence itself, please also see What is the 家族滞在 visa? Requirements and how to apply.
You apply in Japan for a 在留資格認定証明書, and once it has been issued they apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate there.
In Japan, documents on the status and the supporting ability of the person providing support. In the home country, documents proving identity and the family relationship.
If a document is in a foreign language, a Japanese translation must be attached. The 地方出入国在留管理局 or the diplomatic mission may also ask you for further documents.
4 points are central: the status of residence of the person providing support, the ability to support, proof of the family relationship, and the need for support.
You say that you have savings that are more than enough to cover your tuition and your family's living costs, so this is likely to work in your favour on the point of ability to support. What matters is that your savings are judged sufficient to support your family's life in Japan, so please prepare the bank balance certificate carefully.
For the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請, it is generally said to take about 1 month and a half to 3 months.
How long screening takes for the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 depends on the contents of the application and on how busy the 地方出入国在留管理局 is. Generally it is said to take about 1 month and a half to 3 months.
How long the visa application takes in the home country varies from one diplomatic mission to another, but it is usually a few days to about 2 weeks. Please count backwards from the date you plan to come to Japan, and start preparing with time to spare.
Related reading: Can a student bring their spouse and children to Japan?
Yes. You apply for 「家族滞在」 for the spouse and child you support.
First, the person providing support, who is in Japan, files a 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 at the 地方出入国在留管理局. You then send the certificate that has been issued to your family, and they apply for a 査証 at the Japanese embassy or consulate there.
4 points: the status of residence of the person providing support, the ability to support, proof of the legal family relationship, and the need for support. With 「留学」, showing your ability to support with documents such as a bank balance certificate is important.
It depends on the contents of the application and on how busy the 地方出入国在留管理局 is, but generally it is said to take about 1 month and a half to 3 months.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.