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Inviting family on 特定技能1号: using 短期滞在

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 13 January 2026　／　Last updated 21 August 2026

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

特定技能1号 is outside the scope of 「家族滞在」, but you can invite family for a limited period using 「短期滞在」 for visiting relatives. The key is preparing the documents as inviter and 身元保証人, and you cannot, as a rule, change directly from 短期滞在 to a visa for a long stay.

What is this enquiry about?

A guide on how a person working on 特定技能1号 can spend time with their family.

Subject: inviting the family of a holder of 在留資格「特定技能1号」 (Specified Skilled Worker (i))
Situation: a person working in Japan on 特定技能1号. Because the 「家族滞在」 (Dependent) visa is not available to them, they cannot live together with their family.
What they want to know: how to invite family using 短期滞在 for visiting relatives, and what to watch when applying.

Why 「短期滞在」 rather than 「家族滞在」?

Because 特定技能1号 is outside the scope of the 「家族滞在」 visa.

Normally, a foreign national with a work visa, such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), applies for the 「家族滞在」 visa, which allows family to be invited for periods measured in years. 特定技能1号, however, is outside its scope. To invite family, therefore, you use the 在留資格「短期滞在」 (Temporary Visitor) visa, which is applied for directly at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The period granted is one of 90 days, 30 days or 15 days.

What preparation is the key to the application?

The person in Japan has to prepare documents as the inviter and as the 身元保証人.

The application for the 短期滞在 visa for visiting relatives is made at the Japanese embassy in the country where the family lives, but the person in Japan has to prepare the Japanese-side documents as inviter and 身元保証人 (guarantor).

招へい理由書 (letter explaining the reason for the invitation): set out why you want them to come, for example that you want to spend time with family you have not seen for a while, or to show them around Japan.
身元保証書 (letter of guarantee): a document guaranteeing the costs of the stay and the fare home.
滞在予定表 (schedule of stay): fill in the schedule from arrival to departure, including places to visit and where they will stay.
Copy of your Residence Card: proof that you are residing lawfully as a holder of 「特定技能1号」.
Certificate of residence: one showing every member of the household.
Documents proving your income: a tax certificate, pay slips, a certificate of bank balance and so on. You have to show that you can afford to support your family for several months.

What is examined particularly closely?

2 points: the suspicion that they may simply stay on, and your ability to support them.

The suspicion that they may simply stay on in Japan: because 特定技能1号 is a status that does not allow family to accompany you, the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) is alert to whether you may bring family in on 短期滞在 and then have them stay unlawfully, or try to force a change to another visa. As a countermeasure, make the schedule of stay realistic and prepare a solid explanation based on the premise that they will certainly return home, such as a booking confirmation for the return flight.
Ability to support them (the money question): if you invite family for several months, the savings and income to cover their living costs are looked at. As a countermeasure, it is said to be effective to submit a certificate of your bank balance as well as pay slips, to show that you have financial room.

Can they change from 短期滞在 to another status of residence?

Not as a rule.

We are often asked whether family invited on 短期滞在 can then change to a visa that lets them live in Japan. To put the conclusion first, this is not possible as a rule. 短期滞在 is no more than a temporary visit, and a change from it to 「特定活動」 (Designated Activities) or the like is permitted only where there is a highly exceptional humanitarian reason, such as a child being born in Japan or a family member needing to be nursed. In principle, the premise is that they return home once within 90 days.

There is a strict rule that once a 短期滞在 visa is refused, you cannot apply again for the same purpose for 6 months. Where travel becomes unavoidable for humanitarian reasons, an application is sometimes accepted, so in that case you are advised to consult the Japanese embassy or consulate-general where you plan to apply beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a holder of 特定技能1号 live with their family in Japan?

The 「家族滞在」 visa is not available, but you can invite family for a limited period using the framework of 「短期滞在」 for visiting relatives.

Can family invited on 短期滞在 change to a long-term visa?

Not as a rule. It is limited to cases with a highly exceptional humanitarian reason, and in principle the premise is that they return home once within 90 days.

If a 短期滞在 visa is refused, can I apply again straight away?

As a rule there is a strict rule that you cannot apply again for the same purpose for 6 months.

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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.