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Special adopted child of Japanese National

JapanFamily

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

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Explore pathways in Japan Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A special adoptee (特別養子) of a Japanese national qualifies under 'Spouse or Child of Japanese National'. Under the Civil Code amendment in force from 1 April of Reiwa 2, the upper age for a child to be specially adopted is in principle under 15 (previously under 6).

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

The adoptive parent must be a Japanese national; the guarantor is a Japanese national residing in Japan (the parent or adoptive parent) or similar.

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

The evidence is the parent's family register (koseki) and, for a special adoptee, either a certificate of acceptance of the special adoption notification or a Japanese family court adoption ruling with certificate of finality.

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

Proof of stay costs consists of the latest one-year resident tax (or non-taxation) and tax payment certificates of the person paying the applicant's costs (or bank passbook copies, a Japanese employer's offer letter, or equivalent if unavailable); a letter of guarantee from the Japanese guarantor; and the certificate of residence (Juminhyo) of the household.

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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?

Applications cover a Certificate of Eligibility (new entry), change of status (for someone already in Japan in another status), extension of period of stay (continuing stay based on the family relationship), or acquisition of status (for those who renounced Japanese nationality or, e.g. by birth, stay without landing procedures, when staying 60 days or more). The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months. The official source does not state the rights attached to the status or a route to permanent residence.

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Limits of the record
  • Rights granted (e.g. work) and route to permanent residence 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.

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