“I have permanent residence in Japan and want to bring my child from my home country to live with me.”

“My child was born overseas. Should I apply for ‘Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident’ or ‘Long-Term Resident’ status?”

“My child is already 17 years old. Can I still bring them to Japan?”

We often receive questions like these from foreign nationals who hold Permanent Resident status in Japan.

If your child was born overseas and currently lives outside Japan, you may be able to bring them to Japan under the “Long-Term Resident” (定住者) status of residence, provided the child is under 18, unmarried, your biological child, and financially dependent on you as a Permanent Resident.

In this article, an administrative scrivener specializing in immigration procedures explains the requirements, age restrictions, financial support conditions, necessary documents, and application procedures for bringing a child born overseas to Japan when the parent holds Permanent Resident status.

Bringing a Child Born Overseas to Japan Under the “Long-Term Resident” Status

Let’s consider the following family situation.

• Father: British national, Permanent Resident of Japan
• Mother: British national, living in the United Kingdom
• Child: 12-year-old British national, born in the United Kingdom

The father has worked in Japan for many years and obtained Permanent Resident status.

However, the mother and child are still living in the United Kingdom.

If the father wishes to bring his child to Japan so they can live together, the main status of residence to consider is “Long-Term Resident” (定住者).

The child must meet certain requirements, including being an unmarried minor, being the biological child of the parent, and living under the parent’s financial support.

What Is Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification?

The “Long-Term Resident” status of residence allows foreign nationals to reside in Japan for a designated period when the Minister of Justice recognizes special circumstances justifying their residence.

Among the categories established under the Ministerial Notification on Long-Term Residents, Item 6(a) (定住者告示6号イ) covers unmarried minor biological children who live under the financial support of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident.

Therefore, when a Permanent Resident wishes to bring their biological child born overseas to Japan, this is generally the provision that should be examined first.

Can’t the Child Apply Under “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status?

When bringing a child of a Permanent Resident to Japan, it is important to understand the difference between the following two statuses:

• Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
• Long-Term Resident (定住者)

The “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” status is not limited to spouses of Permanent Residents.

It also covers children of Permanent Residents who meet certain requirements.

However, children eligible under this category must generally have been born in Japan and continued residing in Japan since birth.

Therefore, if a child was born overseas, has been living overseas, and is coming to Japan for the first time, they generally do not qualify for the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” status.

Differences in Residence Status Depending on the Child’s Place of Birth

Child’s Circumstances	Main Status of Residence to Consider
Born in Japan as the child of a Permanent Resident and has continued residing in Japan	Permanent Resident or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
Biological child born overseas, under 18, unmarried, and financially dependent on a Permanent Resident	Long-Term Resident — Item 6(a)
Adopted child under 6 years old who is financially supported by a Permanent Resident	Long-Term Resident — Item 7
Biological child born overseas who is already 18 or older	Consider Student status, employment-related statuses, or other appropriate options

As shown above, the appropriate status of residence depends on the child’s place of birth, age, and legal parent-child relationship.

Four Requirements for Bringing a Child Born Overseas to Japan

When a Permanent Resident wishes to bring their foreign biological child to Japan under the Long-Term Resident status, the following four requirements are particularly important.

Requirement 1: The Child Must Be Under 18 Years Old

Item 6 of the Long-Term Resident Notification requires the biological child to be a minor.

Under current Japanese law, a minor is generally a person under 18 years old.

Therefore, children who are already 18 or older generally cannot newly enter Japan under this particular Long-Term Resident category.

Another important point is that the child must still be under 18 at the time of entry into Japan, not just when the application is submitted.

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

For example, even if a child receives a Certificate of Eligibility for Long-Term Resident status while still 17, they cannot enter Japan under this category after turning 18.

Requirement 2: The Child Must Be Unmarried

The child must also be unmarried.

Even if the child is under 18, a married child does not meet the requirement of being an unmarried biological child under Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification.

Requirement 3: The Child Must Be the Biological Child of the Permanent Resident

A legally recognized parent-child relationship between the Permanent Resident living in Japan and the child is also essential.

This relationship is usually proven through official documents, such as a birth certificate issued overseas.

For example, in the case of Chinese nationals, documents such as a Medical Certificate of Birth or a notarized certificate of family relationship may be helpful.

If the father living in Japan has legally acknowledged the child, documents proving the acknowledgment of paternity may also be required.

Requirement 4: The Child Must Be Financially Dependent on the Permanent Resident Parent

Another important requirement is that the child lives under the financial support of the parent who holds Permanent Resident status.

For example, the father living in Japan may have been paying the child’s living expenses and educational costs while the child was living overseas.

Immigration authorities may examine the previous financial support arrangements and whether the parent can continue raising and supporting the child after they arrive in Japan.

Therefore, in addition to income and savings, the following circumstances may be important:

• Previous records of financial transfers to the child
• The parent-child living arrangements
• The child’s care and education plans in Japan
• The parent’s ability to provide continued financial support

How Much Annual Income Is Required to Bring Your Child to Japan?

Questions about financial support are common among Permanent Residents who wish to bring their children from overseas.

“Can I apply if my annual income is 3 million yen?”

“I am a Permanent Resident, but I am currently unemployed. Can I still bring my child to Japan?”

The important point is that there is no publicly established minimum annual income that applies uniformly to every family under Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification.

Therefore, earning 3 million yen or more per year does not automatically guarantee approval.

Likewise, earning less than 2.5 million yen does not necessarily mean that the application will be rejected.

Instead, the family’s overall financial circumstances must be considered.

These generally include:

• The parent’s annual income and monthly salary
• The number of family members requiring financial support
• Rent and daily living expenses
• Available savings
• Current employment situation
• The child’s educational expenses
• Housing and living arrangements after the child arrives in Japan

For example, the cost of supporting a household consisting of a father and one child is different from the cost of supporting a family of five, including a spouse and several children.

Therefore, it is important to assess the family’s financial stability based on their overall living circumstances rather than income alone.

Can You Bring a Child Who Has Been Living with Their Grandparents Overseas?

Some Permanent Residents work in Japan while their children continue living with grandparents in their home countries.

For example, consider the following family.

• Father: Permanent Resident of Japan, living in Japan for more than 10 years
• Child: 14 years old, living in China
• Current caregiver: Grandparents living in China

The father has been working in Japan while financially supporting his child overseas.

However, as the grandparents are getting older, the father now wishes to bring the child to Japan so they can live together.

Even in this situation, it may be possible to bring the child to Japan under the Long-Term Resident status if the requirements are satisfied.

However, if the parent and child have lived separately for many years, immigration authorities may request an explanation of the previous childcare arrangements and why the parent has decided to bring the child to Japan now.

Can You Bring a Child from a Previous Marriage to Japan?

Even if a Permanent Resident is divorced, it may still be possible to bring their biological child from a previous marriage to Japan.

For example:

• Father: Chinese national, Permanent Resident of Japan
• Mother: Chinese national, living in China after the divorce
• Child: 12-year-old Chinese national, living in China

If the father wishes to bring the child to Japan and raise them here, the child may meet the requirements under Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification.

However, special attention must be paid to parental authority, custody, and childcare arrangements.

Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to confirm the legal rights of the parents and whether consent from the other parent is required for the child to move overseas.

Required Documents for Bringing a Permanent Resident’s Child to Japan

When bringing a child from overseas under the Long-Term Resident status, the usual procedure is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

The application requires documents relating to both the Permanent Resident parent living in Japan and the child living overseas.

1. Basic Application Documents

Required Document	Description
Application for Certificate of Eligibility	Official form designated by the Immigration Services Agency
Child’s identification photograph	Must meet the prescribed specifications
Return envelope	Required for certain paper applications, depending on how the certificate will be issued
Child’s birth certificate	To prove the legally recognized parent-child relationship
Letter of Guarantee	Usually prepared by the parent providing financial support
Written Statement Explaining the Need for Financial Support	Explains why the child needs to live under the parent’s financial support

Depending on the circumstances, it may also be necessary to prepare a copy of the child’s passport or an identification document issued in their home country.

If the parent-child relationship was legally established through acknowledgment of paternity, documents proving that acknowledgment may also be required.

2. Documents Relating to the Permanent Resident Parent

Required Document	Description
Copy of residence card	To confirm Permanent Resident status
Certificate of Residence (住民票)	Additional evidence of the parent’s address and household circumstances in Japan
Municipal Taxation Certificate	Generally for the most recent year
Municipal Tax Payment Certificate	Generally for the most recent year
Certificate of Employment	If the parent is a company employee
Copy of income tax return or equivalent documents	If the parent is self-employed
Copies of bankbooks or other savings records	If the parent is unemployed or needs additional evidence of financial support

Please note that additional documents, such as a Certificate of Residence or a copy of the residence card, may be necessary depending on the application circumstances.

It is important to check the latest list of required documents published by the Immigration Services Agency and prepare any additional materials relevant to your situation.

3. Additional Documents That May Be Helpful

Depending on the family circumstances, it may also be helpful to prepare documents such as:

• Photographs of the parent and child together
• Records of money transfers to the child
• Child’s school enrollment certificate
• Educational plans in Japan
• Documents relating to housing after the child arrives in Japan
• Divorce certificate from a previous marriage
• Documents relating to parental authority or custody
• Written explanation of why the parent and child have lived separately for an extended period

These documents are not mandatory in every application.

For example, if the child has lived with their grandparents for many years, documents explaining the previous care and financial support arrangements may be particularly important.

Documents written in a foreign language must also be accompanied by a Japanese translation.

As a general rule, certificates issued in Japan should have been issued within the previous three months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can a Child of a Permanent Resident Enter Japan Directly with Permanent Resident Status?

As a general rule, a child living overseas cannot directly obtain Permanent Resident status for entry into Japan simply because their parent is a Permanent Resident.

If the child was born overseas and is an unmarried minor biological child, the Long-Term Resident status is generally considered.

Q2. Can I Bring My Child to Japan If I Became a Permanent Resident After the Child Was Born?

Yes.

If the parent currently holds Permanent Resident status and the child meets the relevant requirements, including being under 18, unmarried, the parent’s biological child, and financially dependent on the parent, a Long-Term Resident application may be possible.

Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification does not require the parent to have held Permanent Resident status at the time of the child’s birth.

Q3. Can I Bring My 17-Year-Old Child to Japan?

Yes, it may be possible.

If the child meets the other requirements, an application can be considered.

However, the child must still be under 18 at the time of entry into Japan.

Because the immigration examination and visa issuance procedures may take time, we recommend preparing the application as early as possible.

Q4. Can I Apply If My Child Has Been Raised by Their Grandparents for Many Years?

Yes, an application may still be considered.

However, it may be necessary to explain how the child has been financially supported and why the parent has now decided to bring the child to Japan.

Q5. Can I Apply If I Am Currently Unemployed?

Being unemployed does not automatically make an application impossible.

However, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support the child.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include savings and other evidence showing how the family’s living expenses will be covered.

Q6. Can My Child Work 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 the holder may undertake.

However, employment of minors is subject to separate restrictions under Japanese labor laws, including the Labor Standards Act.

In addition, when a child applies for Long-Term Resident status as an unmarried minor biological child, the requirement that they live under the financial support of the parent remains important.

Q7. Can a Permanent Resident Bring Their Child to Japan Under the “Dependent” Status?

No.

A Permanent Resident cannot sponsor a child under the Dependent status of residence.

The Dependent status is intended for eligible spouses and children who receive financial support from foreign nationals holding certain residence statuses, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Business Manager.”

Therefore, when a Permanent Resident wishes to bring their unmarried minor biological child born overseas to Japan, the “Long-Term Resident” status is generally considered.

Conclusion: Children of Permanent Residents Born Overseas Should Check the Long-Term Resident Requirements

When a Permanent Resident wishes to bring a foreign child born overseas to Japan, the appropriate status of residence is generally “Long-Term Resident” under Item 6(a) of the Long-Term Resident Notification.

It is particularly important to confirm the child’s age, marital status, legal parent-child relationship, and financial dependence on the parent.

For children approaching 18, the timing of the application and entry into Japan requires special attention.

Consult an Immigration Specialist About Bringing Your Child to Japan

At TORIKANI International Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide consultations and application assistance for Permanent Residents who wish to bring their children from overseas to Japan.

We can help with situations such as:

“I have permanent residence in Japan and want to bring my child from my home country.”

“My child has been raised by their grandparents overseas for many years.”

“I want to bring my child from a previous marriage to Japan.”

If you have any of these concerns, we can review your child’s age, current living circumstances, and your ability to provide financial support to help identify the appropriate application procedure.

Please feel free to contact us.

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References

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: “Long-Term Resident” Status of Residence
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Long-Term Resident Applications for Unmarried Minor Biological Children
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Required Documents When the Child Is Supported by a Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, or Special Permanent Resident
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status of Residence
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence

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