How to Bring a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan: Remarriage, Age Limits, and Long-Term Resident Visa Requirements

“I remarried a Japanese national and want to bring my child from my home country to Japan!”

“Can my child from a previous marriage live with us in Japan?”

“My child is almost 18 years old. Is it still possible to bring them to Japan?”

We often receive questions like these from foreign nationals who have married Japanese nationals or permanent residents.

Even if a foreign national marries a Japanese citizen and obtains the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status of residence, their child from a previous marriage does not automatically become eligible to live in Japan.

However, if certain requirements are met, it may be possible to bring a child from a previous marriage to Japan under the “Long-Term Resident” (定住者) status of residence.

In this article, an administrative scrivener specializing in immigration procedures explains the requirements, necessary documents, application process, and important points to consider when bringing a child from a previous marriage to Japan.

Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan with a Long-Term Resident Visa
1. Why Doesn’t the Child Qualify for the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status?
2. What If the Parent Is a Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident?
Four Requirements for Bringing a Child to Japan Under the Long-Term Resident Status
Important Considerations When Bringing a 15-, 16-, or 17-Year-Old Child to Japan
1. Are Applications More Likely to Be Rejected If the Child Is Older?
Can You Bring a Child Who Has Been Raised by Their Grandparents Overseas?
1. What If There Are No Records of Money Transfers?
Is Adoption by the Japanese Stepparent Necessary?
Is Consent from the Former Spouse Required?
Required Documents for a Long-Term Resident Visa Application for a Child from a Previous Marriage
1. Main Required Documents
2. Additional Documents That May Be Helpful
Step-by-Step Process for Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan
How Can You Bring a Child Aged 18 or Older to Japan?
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Age and Financial Dependence Are Important When Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan
1. Consult an Immigration Specialist About Bringing Your Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan
2. References
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Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan with a Long-Term Resident Visa

Let’s consider the following family situation.

Stepfather: Japanese national
Mother: American national, holding the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status of residence
Child: 15-year-old American national born from the mother’s previous marriage

The mother has remarried a Japanese man and currently lives in Japan.

Meanwhile, her 15-year-old child is living with their grandparents in the United States.

In this situation, one of the main options for bringing the child to Japan is to apply for the “Long-Term Resident” status of residence.

Why Doesn’t the Child Qualify for the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status?

The “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” (日本人の配偶者等) status of residence generally applies to:

Spouses of Japanese nationals
Foreign nationals born as children of Japanese nationals
Specially adopted children of Japanese nationals who meet the relevant requirements

Therefore, simply because a foreign mother remarries a Japanese man, her child from a previous marriage does not generally qualify for this status.

Even if the Japanese stepfather pays the child’s living expenses, this does not automatically make the child his biological child.

What If the Parent Is a Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident?

If the parent living in Japan holds Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident status, it may also be possible to bring their biological child from overseas under the Long-Term Resident status, provided the relevant requirements are met.

Parent’s Status of Residence in Japan	Main Status of Residence to Consider for the Child
Spouse or Child of Japanese National	Long-Term Resident
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident	Long-Term Resident
Permanent Resident	Long-Term Resident
Long-Term Resident	Long-Term Resident
Special Permanent Resident	Long-Term Resident
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services	Dependent or another appropriate status
Business Manager	Dependent or another appropriate status

This table provides general examples of cases in which a parent wishes to bring their foreign biological child from overseas and financially support the child in Japan.

Four Requirements for Bringing a Child to Japan Under the Long-Term Resident Status

When applying to bring a child from a previous marriage to Japan, it is particularly important to check the requirements set out in Item 6 of the Public Notice on Long-Term Residents (定住者告示6号).

Requirement 1: The Child Must Be Under 18 Years Old

Under Item 6 of the Public Notice on Long-Term Residents, the term “minor” refers to a person under 18 years of age.

Previously, the age requirement was under 20 years old. However, following the reduction of Japan’s legal age of adulthood, the requirement changed to under 18 on April 1, 2022.

Therefore, a child who is already 18 or older generally cannot newly enter Japan under the Long-Term Resident category for an “unmarried minor biological child.”

Furthermore, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan explains that even if a Certificate of Eligibility has already been issued, the child must enter Japan no later than the day before their 18th birthday.

In other words, even if an application is submitted and approved while the child is still 17, the child cannot enter Japan under this particular category after turning 18.

Requirement 2: The Child Must Be Unmarried

Another requirement is that the child must be unmarried.

Even if the child is under 18, a married child does not meet the requirement of being an unmarried biological child under this category.

Requirement 3: The Child Must Be the Biological Child of the Foreign Parent

Item 6 of the Public Notice on Long-Term Residents generally applies to the sponsor’s biological child.

For example, if a foreign woman wishes to bring a child born from her previous marriage to Japan, she must prove their legal parent-child relationship using documents such as a birth certificate.

Not every child described as a “stepchild” automatically qualifies for Long-Term Resident status.

The relevant legal parent-child relationship must be established.

Requirement 4: The Child Must Receive Financial Support from the Parent Living in Japan

One of the most important requirements is that the child will live in Japan while receiving financial support from their parent.

In particular, the parent living in Japan must be prepared to cover the child’s living expenses, educational expenses, and other necessary costs.

For example, if the parent has regularly sent money to the child living overseas, records of these transfers may help demonstrate the existing financial support relationship.

If the parent intends to raise the child together with their Japanese spouse, the couple’s income and living circumstances may also be considered.

There is no single nationwide minimum annual income requirement for Long-Term Resident applications involving children from previous marriages.

Instead, the immigration authorities assess the family’s ability to support the child based on factors such as household income, living expenses, number of family members, and available savings.

Important Considerations When Bringing a 15-, 16-, or 17-Year-Old Child to Japan

Even if a child is under 18, their age and living circumstances may be important when applying for Long-Term Resident status.

Let’s look at three examples.

Case A: Bringing a 10-Year-Old Child to Japan

A 10-year-old child has been living with their grandparents in China.

The mother, who lives in Japan, wishes to bring the child to Japan.

After arriving in Japan, the child plans to live with the mother and her spouse and attend a Japanese elementary school.

In this situation, it may be relatively straightforward to explain that the child will receive financial support from the parent while attending school in Japan.

Case B: Bringing a 16-Year-Old Child to Japan

A 16-year-old child is currently attending high school overseas.

In addition to explaining why the parent wishes to bring the child to Japan, it may be necessary to describe the child’s educational plans after arriving in Japan.

For example, the immigration authorities may want to know which school the child intends to attend and what their educational background has been so far.

Case C: Bringing a 17-Year-Old Child to Japan

A 17-year-old child is planning to move to Japan shortly before turning 18.

In this case, special attention must be paid not only to the actual financial support relationship but also to:

Immigration examination times
Visa application procedures
The child’s planned date of entry into Japan

Immigration examinations may take considerable time, so it is essential to prepare the application well in advance.

Otherwise, the child may turn 18 before completing the necessary procedures and entering Japan.

Are Applications More Likely to Be Rejected If the Child Is Older?

An application is not automatically rejected simply because the child is 15 or 16 years old.

However, as the child gets older, it may become more important to carefully explain their previous living arrangements overseas and why the parent has decided to bring them to Japan at this particular time.

Can You Bring a Child Who Has Been Raised by Their Grandparents Overseas?

In some cases, a child from a previous marriage has been living with their grandparents overseas for many years.

Consider the following example:

“The mother remarried a Japanese national and has been living in Japan for five years.

Meanwhile, her child has been raised by the grandparents in China and has lived separately from the mother.

Now that the child is 14 years old, the mother wishes to bring the child to Japan so that they can live together.”

Even in this situation, it is possible to consider applying for Long-Term Resident status.

However, if the parent and child have lived separately for a long period, it is important to be prepared to explain the following:

Why have the parent and child lived separately until now?
Who has been paying the child’s living and educational expenses?
How frequently have the parent and child communicated?
Why has the parent decided to bring the child to Japan now?
Who will raise and care for the child after arriving in Japan?
What kind of life will the child have in Japan?

For example, the mother may initially have asked the grandparents to care for the child while she established a stable life in Japan.

Alternatively, the grandparents may have become elderly and may no longer be able to continue raising the child.

Explaining these circumstances clearly and chronologically may be more helpful than simply stating, “I want to live together with my child in Japan.”

What If There Are No Records of Money Transfers?

Sometimes parents provide financial support in cash rather than through bank transfers.

As a result, they may not have formal remittance records.

In such cases, other evidence may help explain the actual financial support arrangements, including:

Records of communication between the parent and child
Documents showing that the parent paid school-related expenses
Records of visits to the home country
Other evidence of ongoing childcare and financial support

The important point is to provide an accurate explanation of how the child has been raised and supported.

Is Adoption by the Japanese Stepparent Necessary?

“Does my Japanese husband have to legally adopt my child before I can bring the child to Japan?”

We sometimes receive questions like this.

The answer is no. Adoption by the Japanese spouse is not a mandatory requirement when bringing an unmarried minor biological child of a foreign parent to Japan under the Long-Term Resident status.

If the foreign mother and child have a legally recognized parent-child relationship and the relevant Long-Term Resident requirements are satisfied, it may be possible to apply without adoption by the Japanese stepfather.

Is Consent from the Former Spouse Required?

When bringing a child from a previous marriage to Japan, it is also important to review the legal relationship with the former spouse.

For example, suppose a foreign woman remarries a Japanese man and wishes to bring her child from her home country to Japan.

If the former husband still lives in the home country, issues relating to parental authority, custody, and permission to take the child overseas may arise.

In such cases, the following documents may need to be reviewed:

Divorce certificate from the previous marriage
Court order concerning parental authority or custody
Agreement regarding the child’s care and upbringing
Written consent from the other parent
Other documents required under the laws of the child’s home country

The necessary procedures will depend on the laws of the relevant country and the individual family circumstances.

Required Documents for a Long-Term Resident Visa Application for a Child from a Previous Marriage

When bringing a child from overseas to Japan, the usual procedure is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Here, we will use the example of a foreign mother who has remarried a Japanese man and wishes to bring her biological child from a previous marriage to Japan.

Main Required Documents

Document	Description / Where to Obtain It
Application for Certificate of Eligibility	Official form designated by the Immigration Services Agency
Child’s identification photograph	Generally 4 cm high × 3 cm wide
Child’s birth certificate	Official authority in the child’s home country
Copy of the child’s passport	Child’s valid passport
Japanese spouse’s Family Register Certificate (戸籍謄本)	Municipal office
Certificate of Residence listing all household members (住民票)	Municipal office
Copy of the foreign parent’s residence card	To confirm residence status and period of stay
Municipal Taxation and Tax Payment Certificates	To confirm income and tax payment status
Certificate of Employment or equivalent documents	To confirm employment and income
Letter of Guarantee	Designated form
Questionnaire	Designated form
Written Statement of Reasons	To explain the reasons for bringing the child to Japan and the need for financial support

These are the main documents that may be necessary.

The exact submission requirements depend on the particular Long-Term Resident category under which the application is made.

If the sponsor is self-employed rather than a company employee, additional documents such as copies of income tax returns may be required.

Official documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.

Additional Documents That May Be Helpful

Depending on the child’s circumstances, the following documents may also be useful during the immigration examination:

Records of previous child support payments
Photographs of the parent and child together
Records of communication between the parent and child
Child’s school enrollment certificate
Educational plans in Japan
Documents relating to housing in Japan
Documents proving parental authority or custody arrangements
Documents explaining why the parent and child have been living separately

In particular, if the parent and child have lived apart for many years or if the child is 15 or older, it is important to explain the family’s background and the child’s plans after arriving in Japan through a well-prepared written statement.

Step-by-Step Process for Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan

The general procedure is as follows.

STEP 1: Check Whether the Child Meets the Long-Term Resident Requirements

First, confirm the child’s:

Age
Marital status
Legal parent-child relationship
Parent’s status of residence in Japan

If the child is approaching 18, it is especially important to consider immigration processing times, the planned date of travel, and the appropriate residence status.

STEP 2: Collect the Required Documents

On the Japanese side, prepare documents such as:

Family Register Certificate
Municipal Taxation Certificate
Certificate of Employment

For the child living overseas, prepare documents such as:

Birth certificate
Passport

If necessary, also prepare a written statement explaining the reasons for bringing the child to Japan and documents showing the financial support relationship.

STEP 3: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the Immigration Office

The parent or another eligible representative in Japan submits an Application for Certificate of Eligibility to the appropriate regional immigration office.

You can also request assistance from an administrative scrivener authorized to handle immigration applications on behalf of clients.

STEP 4: Receive the Certificate of Eligibility

If the application is approved, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be issued.

The COE is generally valid for three months from its date of issuance.

However, there is a particularly important point to remember:

If the child is applying under the Long-Term Resident category for an unmarried minor biological child, they must enter Japan before turning 18, even if the COE is still valid.

This means that having a valid COE does not allow the child to enter Japan under this particular category after their 18th birthday.

STEP 5: Apply for a Visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate Overseas

After obtaining the COE, the child applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy, consulate, or other designated visa application office responsible for their country or region of residence.

Once the visa is issued, the child can travel to Japan.

After entering Japan, the family should complete the necessary procedures, including residential address registration and school enrollment.

How Can You Bring a Child Aged 18 or Older to Japan?

As a general rule, children aged 18 or older cannot newly enter Japan under the Long-Term Resident category for an “unmarried minor biological child” specified in Item 6 of the Public Notice.

However, this does not mean that there are no other ways for them to come to Japan.

Depending on their circumstances, the following residence statuses may be considered.

Status of Residence	Main Situations
Student (留学)	Studying at a Japanese language school, vocational school, university, or other eligible educational institution
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)	Working in a specialized position at a Japanese company while meeting the relevant educational or professional experience requirements
Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)	Working in an eligible industry after meeting the required skills and Japanese language requirements
Temporary Visitor (短期滞在)	Visiting family members or staying temporarily in Japan

Each of these statuses has its own eligibility requirements.

For example, if a child aged 18 or older wishes to come to Japan under the Student status, it is generally necessary to demonstrate admission to an eligible educational institution and sufficient financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses.

In exceptional circumstances, it may also be possible to consider a Long-Term Resident status outside the categories specified in the official public notice.

However, such applications are examined individually, and simply wishing to live with a parent in Japan is not sufficient grounds for approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. If I Remarry a Japanese National, Can I Automatically Bring My Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan?

No.

Even if the foreign parent obtains the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status of residence, their child does not automatically receive a status of residence in Japan.

A separate application must be submitted for the child under an appropriate category, such as Long-Term Resident.

Q2. My Child Is 17 Years Old. Can I Still Bring Them to Japan Under the Long-Term Resident Status?

Yes, it may be possible if the child meets all the requirements other than age.

However, under the Long-Term Resident category for an unmarried minor biological child, the child must enter Japan no later than the day before their 18th birthday.

It is important to prepare early, taking into account the time required for the application, visa issuance, and travel to Japan.

Q3. Can I Bring My Child to Japan If I Am a Stay-at-Home Mother?

Yes, it may still be possible.

A mother who does not have her own employment income is not automatically disqualified from applying.

For example, if her Japanese husband has a stable income and the couple intends to raise the child together, the household’s overall income and living circumstances may be considered.

Q4. Does My Japanese Spouse Need to Legally Adopt My Child?

No.

Adoption is not a mandatory requirement when applying to bring the foreign parent’s unmarried minor biological child to Japan under the Long-Term Resident status.

However, if adoption takes place, it changes the legal parent-child relationship.

The appropriate residence status must then be considered based on the nature of that legal relationship.

Q5. Can I Bring My Child to Japan If the Child Has Lived with Their Grandparents for 10 Years?

Living with grandparents for an extended period does not automatically make the child ineligible.

However, it is important to explain:

Why the parent and child have lived separately for so long
Who has paid the child’s living expenses
Why the parent has decided to bring the child to Japan now

Providing a detailed and consistent explanation of the family’s circumstances can be important.

Q6. Can a Child Work Part-Time or Full-Time in Japan After Obtaining Long-Term Resident Status?

Yes.

The “Long-Term Resident” status does not impose immigration-related restrictions on the types of employment that the holder may undertake.

However, separate restrictions under Japanese labor laws, including the Labor Standards Act, apply to employment by minors.

Furthermore, when applying for Long-Term Resident status as an unmarried minor biological child, it is important to satisfy the requirement that the child will live under the financial support of the parent.

Q7. Can I Bring My Child to Japan at the Same Time as My Marriage to a Japanese National?

In some cases, it may be possible to consider submitting Certificate of Eligibility applications for the foreign parent and the child around the same time.

However, the parent’s and child’s residence status applications are examined separately, and each applicant must satisfy the applicable requirements.

If the foreign parent is still living overseas, we recommend confirming the application sequence and necessary documents in advance.

Conclusion: Age and Financial Dependence Are Important When Bringing a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan

If a foreign national marries a Japanese citizen, permanent resident, or another eligible person and wishes to bring a child from a previous marriage to Japan, the child may qualify for the Long-Term Resident status if certain requirements are satisfied.

The child’s age, marital status, legal parent-child relationship, and financial dependence on the parent are particularly important.

For children approaching 18, the timing of the application and entry into Japan is especially critical.

Preparing the necessary documents and reviewing the child’s eligibility well in advance can help avoid unnecessary complications.

Consult an Immigration Specialist About Bringing Your Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan

At TORIKANI International Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide consultations and application assistance regarding residence statuses for foreign children.

We can assist with situations such as:

You have remarried a Japanese national and want to bring your child from overseas to Japan.
Your child is 15 or older, and you want to know whether a Long-Term Resident application is possible.
Your child has been living with their grandparents overseas for many years.
You are concerned about custody arrangements involving your former spouse.
Your child is already 18 or older, and you want to explore other possible residence statuses.

We review your current family circumstances and the child’s living situation to help identify an appropriate application procedure.

Please feel free to contact us.

References

This article is based on the immigration rules and publicly available materials as of November 2026. The necessary documents and examination procedures may vary depending on individual circumstances.