whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
JP country scene

Long-Term Resident — supported minor unmarried child

JapanFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Japan Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

An unmarried minor biological child (jisshi) who lives supported by a person holding Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident status. Since 1 April of Reiwa 4 'minor' means under 18 (previously under 20); persons aged 18 or over cannot newly enter as such a child.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The supporter must hold Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident or Special Permanent Resident status, or be the spouse of a Japanese national or the spouse of a Permanent Resident (separate document lists for each case). The guarantor is normally the supporter.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Parentage evidence includes a birth certificate issued by the home-country authority; a certificate of acknowledgement of paternity (ninchi) where one exists; and a certificate of acceptance of the birth notification only if the birth was notified to a Japanese office. Where the child is a Nikkei supported by a Long-Term Resident, a criminal record certificate, public documents proving the grandparents and parents existed, and official ID are also required.

See recorded sources

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The child must live supported by the sponsor. The evidence is the supporter's residence-tax assessment (or non-assessment) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent 1 year; proof of occupation/income (certificate of employment; or copy of final tax return and business licence if self-employed; or bank passbook copies if unemployed); the supporter's household resident record; a letter of guarantee; and a written statement explaining why the child needs to be supported. The official source does not state a minimum income amount.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No minimum income amount is stated.
  • Documents shown are those for a supporter holding Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident or Special Permanent Resident status.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

The child applies for a Certificate of Eligibility, then applies for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate, and must enter Japan by the day before turning 18; a child who is 18 on arrival cannot enter in this status regardless of the certificate's validity. Periods of stay are 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or an individually designated period not exceeding 5 years; extension is applied for when continuing to stay on the basis of the family relationship. The official source does not state the rights attached to the status or how it becomes independent after the child reaches majority.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Rights attached to the status and how it becomes independent after the child reaches majority are not stated on these pages.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in Japan · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Japan →