“Can my child apply for permanent residence at the same time as me?”

“My child has only lived in Japan for two years. Can they still apply for permanent residence?”

“Can my child apply for permanent residence even though I haven’t obtained Permanent Resident status yet?”

We often receive questions like these from foreign families living in Japan.

In general, obtaining permanent residence in Japan requires applicants to have lived in the country for at least 10 years, along with meeting other requirements.

However, if a parent meets the requirements for permanent residence, their child may also be able to obtain permanent residence at the same time, even if the child has not lived in Japan for 10 years.

In this article, an administrative scrivener specializing in immigration procedures explains permanent residence applications for foreign children, focusing particularly on simultaneous applications by parents and children, the required period of residence in Japan, and the conditions examined during the application process.

Can Foreign Children Apply for Permanent Residence Together with Their Parents?

The answer is yes. Under certain conditions, foreign children may apply for permanent residence in Japan at the same time as their parents.

For example, consider the following family:

Family Member	Current Status of Residence	Years Living in Japan
Father	Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services	12 years
Mother	Dependent	5 years
Child	Dependent	3 years

In this example, the father has worked for a Japanese company for many years and meets the requirements for permanent residence.

In such circumstances, it may be possible for not only the father but also the mother and child to submit permanent residence applications together.

How Do Simultaneous Permanent Residence Applications Work?

Let’s take a closer look at the previous example, where the father holds an “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status and the child holds a “Dependent” status.

At the time of application, the father has not yet become a Permanent Resident.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the child does not yet have the family relationship required for the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” (永住者の配偶者等) status of residence.

But what happens if the father is subsequently granted permanent residence?

In that situation, it may become necessary to change the child’s status of residence to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.”

If the child meets the requirements for permanent residence that apply to children of permanent residents, the child could then apply for permanent residence.

However, requiring families to complete these procedures separately would create unnecessary additional steps.

For this reason, there is a practical arrangement under which:

When a parent applies for permanent residence, their child may also apply at the same time, provided the child meets the requirements applicable to a child of a Permanent Resident and the parent’s permanent residence application is approved.

This allows eligible parents and children to pursue permanent residence together without necessarily having to change the child’s residence status first.

How Many Years Must a Child Have Lived in Japan to Apply Together with a Parent?

One of the most important questions is how long the child must have lived in Japan before applying for permanent residence together with their parent.

Applications Submitted by March 31, 2027: Generally at Least One Year

Under the permanent residence guidelines in effect as of November 2026, a special exception to the general residence-period requirement applies to biological children and certain other eligible children of Japanese nationals, Permanent Residents, and Special Permanent Residents.

Under this exception, the child must generally have resided continuously in Japan for at least one year.

Applications Submitted on or After April 1, 2027: Generally at Least Three Years

Under the revised Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence published on October 1, 2026, the required period of continuous residence for eligible biological children and other qualifying children will generally increase to three years.

Application Date	Special Residence-Period Requirement for Eligible Children of Permanent Residents and Other Qualifying Persons
Until March 31, 2027	At least 1 year of continuous residence in Japan
From April 1, 2027	At least 3 years of continuous residence in Japan

Therefore, the timing of a family’s permanent residence application may be particularly important when the child has lived in Japan for only a short period.

What Requirements Are Examined in a Child’s Permanent Residence Application?

When examining a child’s application for permanent residence, immigration authorities consider several factors, including the parent-child relationship, the child’s residence history, and compliance with public obligations.

1. Proof of the Parent-Child Relationship

First, it is necessary to prove that a legally recognized parent-child relationship exists between the parent living in Japan and the child.

This is generally confirmed through official documents such as birth certificates or family register documents.

2. The Child’s Residence History in Japan

It is also important to establish whether the child has been continuously living in Japan.

For example, if the child has spent a long period living overseas and has only a limited record of actual residence in Japan, it may be necessary to carefully examine whether they satisfy the special residence-period requirements.

The child should also have properly completed any necessary extensions of their period of stay and notifications required under Japanese immigration law.

3. The Parent’s Income and Ability to Support the Family

When parents and children apply together, the immigration authorities examine the financial stability of the household.

If the child is an elementary or junior high school student, they would not normally be expected to earn their own income.

Instead, the authorities will generally consider whether the father or mother’s income is sufficient to maintain a stable livelihood for the entire family.

4. Payment of Taxes, Pension Contributions, and Health Insurance Premiums

Proper fulfillment of public obligations is an important requirement for permanent residence in Japan.

In particular, parents who financially support their children should check whether they have properly paid:

• Resident taxes
• Public pension contributions
• Public health insurance premiums

Even if the child personally has no tax obligations, the parents’ payment history may affect the examination of the child’s permanent residence application.

5. The Child’s School Attendance

For children of compulsory school age, school attendance is also an important consideration.

The revised permanent residence guidelines published in October 2026 explicitly address the school attendance of children of compulsory school age.

If the child attends an elementary or junior high school in Japan, it is advisable to prepare documents such as a Certificate of Enrollment to demonstrate their educational circumstances.

What Happens If Only the Parent Is Granted Permanent Residence?

Even when parents and children apply for permanent residence together, there is no guarantee that every family member will receive approval.

For example, the father may be granted permanent residence while the child’s application is denied because the child does not meet the required period of residence.

In such a case, the child’s existing status of residence is not automatically revoked.

However, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to change the child’s status of residence to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” or another appropriate category.

Can a Baby Born in Japan to a Permanent Resident Apply for Permanent Residence Immediately After Birth?

Separate from the simultaneous applications discussed above, there are special procedures for babies born in Japan.

For example, consider the following family:

• Father: Chinese national, Permanent Resident
• Mother: Chinese national, holding “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” status
• Baby: Chinese national born in Japan

In this situation, it may be possible for the baby to obtain Permanent Resident status by submitting the appropriate application within 30 days of birth.

This procedure differs from an ordinary permanent residence application submitted by a child who already holds a status of residence in Japan.

It is an application to acquire a status of residence based on birth in Japan.

Therefore, the newborn baby does not need to live in Japan for one or three years before applying as the biological child of a Permanent Resident.

Required Documents for Simultaneous Permanent Residence Applications by Parents and Children

When parents and children apply for permanent residence together, each applicant must submit their own application form.

The necessary supporting documents also vary depending on the applicable application category.

Main Documents for the Child

Document	Description
Application for Permanent Residence	Separate application form for the child
Identification photograph	Required depending on the child’s age
Birth certificate or equivalent document	To prove the parent-child relationship
Passport	To be presented when applying
Residence card	To be presented when applying
Certificate of Residence (住民票)	Showing all household members
Certificate of Enrollment	If necessary to demonstrate the child’s school attendance
Letter of Guarantee	Official designated form
Letter of Acknowledgment (了解書)	Official designated form

Main Documents for the Parent

• Application for Permanent Residence
• Written Statement of Reasons for Applying for Permanent Residence
• Certificate of Employment or equivalent documents
• Municipal Taxation and Tax Payment Certificates
• Documents confirming public pension contribution payments
• Documents confirming health insurance premium payments
• Documents relating to savings and other financial assets
• Other documents required under the relevant application category

The exact documents required will depend on the family’s residence statuses, employment circumstances, and the category under which each person applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can My Child Apply for Permanent Residence at the Same Time as Their Father?

Yes.

If the relevant requirements are satisfied, it may be possible for the father and child to apply for permanent residence together.

However, the outcome depends on each family member’s residence history, individual circumstances, and the timing of the applications.

Q2. Can My Child Apply for Permanent Residence Without Living in Japan for 10 Years?

Yes.

Under the special residence-period requirements described in this article:

• For applications submitted by March 31, 2027, at least one year of continuous residence is generally required.
• For applications submitted on or after April 1, 2027, at least three years of continuous residence will generally be required.

These exceptions apply to children who meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

Q3. Why Can My Child Apply for Permanent Residence Even Though I Am Not Yet a Permanent Resident?

This is because there is an immigration practice under which a child’s application may be examined according to requirements similar to those applicable to a child of a Permanent Resident, on the assumption that the parent’s permanent residence application will be approved.

This makes it possible for eligible parents and children to submit their applications simultaneously.

Q4. Does My Child Need to Change to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Before Applying for Permanent Residence?

No.

Even if the child’s current status of residence is “Dependent,” it may be possible to apply for permanent residence together with the parent.

It is not always necessary to first change the child’s status to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.”

Q5. If the Parent’s Permanent Residence Application Is Rejected, Can the Child Still Be Approved?

If the child’s application relies on a special exception that assumes the parent will obtain permanent residence, rejection of the parent’s application may also result in the child’s application being denied.

However, if the child independently meets another category of requirements for permanent residence, their situation may be considered separately.

Conclusion: Consider Applying for Permanent Residence Together as a Family

The requirements for a child applying for permanent residence independently may differ from those that apply when a parent and child submit simultaneous applications.

Therefore, if the family meets the relevant requirements, we generally recommend considering simultaneous permanent residence applications for parents and children.

This may help eligible family members obtain a more stable residence status together without having to complete unnecessary intermediate procedures.

However, it is important to confirm each family member’s eligibility, particularly the child’s required period of residence and the parent’s ability to support the household.

Consult an Immigration Specialist About Permanent Residence Applications for Children and Families

At TORIKANI International Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide consultations and application assistance for foreign families seeking permanent residence in Japan.

We can help with situations such as:

“I want to apply for permanent residence together with my child.”

“My child has only lived in Japan for one to three years.”

“I don’t know what residence status my child should hold after I obtain permanent residence.”

If you have questions like these, we can review your family’s current residence statuses, years of residence in Japan, income, and other relevant circumstances to help identify the appropriate application procedure.

Please feel free to contact us.

---

References

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (Revised October 1, 2026)
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (Revised February 24, 2026)
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Application for Permanent Residence
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Permanent Residence Applications for Spouses and Biological Children of Japanese Nationals and Permanent Residents
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Revision of Immigration and Residence Application Fees
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence

---

Contact Us

You can contact us through LINE, WeChat, WhatsApp, by telephone, or through our online inquiry form.

Please choose whichever method is most convenient for you. We look forward to hearing from you!