Bringing your child to Japan | Long-Term Resident and Dependent visas
Nationwide support — no office visit required
Speak directly with an administrative scrivener.
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using whichever method is most convenient for you.
Ryohei Yamamoto Administrative Scrivener Office
Nationwide visa specialists
Bring your child to Japan
Long-Term Resident / Dependent
Complete the procedures from home. From consultation to application and approval,
we support you wherever you are in Japan.
海外から子供を呼ぶためのビザ申請、外国人の妻・夫の連れ子の呼び寄せについて相談できます。「子供の呼び寄せビザ」というご相談でも、実際に検討する在留資格は、ご家族の状況に応じて定住者・家族滞在などに分かれます。
Nationwide support | Free initial consultation | Weekends, holidays and evening consultations available
Reunite with your child overseas
and build a life together in Japan.
If you want to bring your own child from your home country, or welcome your foreign spouse’s child to Japan, Ryohei Yamamoto Administrative Scrivener Office provides support from checking eligibility for Long-Term Resident or Dependent status to preparing documents, submitting the application and communicating with Immigration. We are here to help.
To determine whether Long-Term Resident or Dependent status should be considered, we start with the residence status of your child’s biological mother or father. For example, Long-Term Resident status may be considered if the biological parent holds Permanent Resident or Spouse or Child of Japanese National status; Dependent status may be considered if the parent holds Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status. We then check the child’s family relationship, age and financial dependency. You are welcome to consult us even if you do not yet know which category applies.
For your first consultation, please tell us the parent’s residence status, the child’s age and the country where the child currently lives.
For parents who want to bring their child from their home country to Japan
“I want to bring my child overseas to Japan.” “I want to live together again with the child my parents are looking after back home.” Even when you have made this decision, you may not know which visa is needed or where to start.
The residence status to consider differs depending on whether you are married to a Japanese national, hold Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident status, or work in Japan. Start by checking your residence card, your child’s age and the parent-child relationship. We welcome consultations from fathers as well as mothers who are foreign nationals.
Tell us about the circumstances of living apart
We will discuss who your child lives with, how you have supported living and school expenses, and when you would like to start living together in Japan. We also check available remittance records and records of contact and visits. You can tell us about your situation even if you are unsure whether you have enough documents.
Whether your child is in the Philippines or another country, the names of birth, marriage and divorce certificates and the authorities issuing them vary. Please also tell us your child’s nationality and current country of residence when you contact us.
Compare Long-Term Resident and Dependent status based on the parent’s status →
For those who want to bring their foreign spouse’s child or stepchild to Japan
If you are married to a foreign wife and would like to welcome her child living overseas, the child may be your stepchild, but is your wife’s biological child. For this application, we check the relationship between the child and the foreign biological parent.
If the mother lives in Japan under Spouse or Child of Japanese National status, Long-Term Resident status may be considered for her dependent, unmarried minor biological child. Marriage does not automatically give the child the same status as the mother. For a foreign husband’s child, we likewise begin by checking the biological parent’s status and the dependency relationship.
Does the Japanese stepfather need to adopt the child?
Adoption by the Japanese stepfather is not a universal prerequisite when considering Long-Term Resident status for the unmarried minor biological child of a foreign parent. Adoption procedures and Immigration’s residence status examination are separate matters. Rather than assuming adoption guarantees the child can come to Japan, we check the family’s current relationships.
Plan your child’s care and living expenses together as a couple
Discussing who will provide daily care, where the child will live, and how living and school expenses will be paid makes preparation easier. The relationship with the other biological parent overseas, parental authority, custody and travel consent must also be checked according to the country and individual circumstances.
Official information: Immigration Services Agency: Documents for a dependent, unmarried minor biological child of a person with Spouse or Child of Japanese National status
Ask about bringing your wife’s or husband’s child to Japan →
Long-Term Resident or Dependent status for your child?
The starting point is the residence status of the biological mother or father. The distinction is not simply whether you call the child a biological child or stepchild. Even if there is a Japanese stepfather, we first check the foreign biological parent’s status in Japan. In addition to the examples below, family relationship, age and dependency requirements must be checked; the parent’s status alone does not determine approval.
When Long-Term Resident status may apply
The biological parent holds Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident or similar status. This may apply when bringing an unmarried minor biological child from overseas to live as a dependent in Japan.
We check the parent’s identity and residence status, whether the child is an unmarried minor biological child, and the dependency relationship.
Check Long-Term Resident requirements →When Dependent status may apply
The biological parent holds Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or another status eligible to sponsor a Dependent. Business Manager, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and Student are also eligible categories, although Student status has conditions concerning the type of educational institution and other matters.
We check the parent-child relationship and the actual plan for the child to live in Japan supported by the parent.
Check Dependent requirements →This page focuses on Long-Term Resident and Dependent status for children coming from overseas. A biological child of a Japanese national or a child of a permanent resident born in Japan may need to consider a different status.
Bringing an unmarried minor biological child from overseas | Long-Term Resident
When bringing a foreign spouse’s child or similar family member to Japan, Long-Term Resident status for a dependent, unmarried minor biological child may be considered. Eligibility and required documents differ depending on the parent’s status and family relationship.
Key points to check
- Can official documents establish the biological parent-child relationship?
- Do the parent’s residence status, period of stay and marital relationship meet the applicable requirements?
- Is the child an unmarried minor who will live as a dependent in Japan?
- Can income, housing and household circumstances support the child’s life after arrival?
- Can you explain the child’s care overseas, parental authority, custody and relationship with the other parent?
If your child is approaching 18, check the planned entry date
For this category of unmarried minor biological child, Immigration advises Certificate of Eligibility holders to enter Japan no later than the day before their 18th birthday. Do not consider only the age at application. Allow time for obtaining documents, examination, the visa application and travel.
If the child is already 18 or older, we cannot say this category applies in every case. We check individual circumstances and possible alternative statuses.
Source: Immigration Services Agency: Long-Term Resident (dependent, unmarried minor biological child)
Bringing a child from overseas under Dependent status
Dependent status allows a child to live in Japan supported by a parent who holds an eligible residence status. Not every work-related status allows a parent to sponsor a child.
- The parent must hold a status eligible to sponsor a Dependent.
- The parent-child relationship must be established by a birth certificate or other evidence.
- Income, savings, scholarships or other resources must support the family’s living expenses.
- The plan for dependent life in Japan must be consistent with the child’s age, education and employment circumstances.
The same blanket “under 18” condition used for the Long-Term Resident category cannot be applied to Dependent status. For adult children, actual financial dependency and their past living and employment circumstances must be examined in detail.
Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Technical Intern Training do not qualify a parent to sponsor a child under Dependent status. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) does. For Student status, we also check the educational institution and how living expenses will be paid.
Source: Immigration Services Agency: Dependent ／ Questions and answers about the Specified Skilled Worker system
Required documents and preparations before bringing your child
After you engage our services, we discuss your circumstances in detail and provide a document list tailored to your family. The following examples give you an idea of what to prepare.
Documents concerning the child and family relationship
- Birth certificates and other evidence of family relationships
- Passport information and application photographs
- Marriage, divorce, parental authority and custody documents where necessary
- Records of the child’s care and schooling overseas
Documents concerning support and life in Japan
- The parent’s residence card, resident record and similar documents
- Employment, income, taxation and tax payment documents
- Savings, scholarship and other financial evidence where necessary
- Plans for housing, living expenses and schooling
Required documents vary by country, residence status and family circumstances, and additional evidence may be requested. Japanese translations must accompany foreign-language documents. We check that names, dates of birth and family relationships are consistent.
The statement of reasons connects your family’s circumstances with the evidence
We organize the reasons for living apart, past care and remittances, why you want to reunite now, and plans for housing, school and financial support in Japan. The explanation must be consistent with the supporting evidence.
Preparing for school and daily life in Japan
Alongside residence status preparation, check the school procedures. For public elementary or junior high school, contact the board of education in your intended municipality with the child’s age, educational history and planned arrival date. For high school admission or transfer, check requirements with the board of education or the school.
Consider a manageable daily routine, Japanese-language learning support and transport to school, while listening to your child’s wishes. Wanting to attend school alone does not determine residence status.
Reference: Ministry of Education: School enrollment procedures for foreign children
From consultation to your child’s arrival in Japan
- Initial consultation and residence status review
We ask about the parent’s status, the child’s age, nationality and country of residence, the family relationship and your preferred arrival date. - Explanation of services and fees, followed by engagement
We explain the application method and support suited to your family. - Collecting and translating documents, and preparing the application
You help obtain official documents, and our office checks and organizes their contents. - Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility
Our office submits the application and responds to requests for additional documents. - Visa application overseas and travel preparation
After the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, apply for a visa following the instructions of the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your location, and travel within the applicable validity periods. - Entering Japan and starting life together
Complete post-arrival procedures such as registering your address and consulting the school.
How long does it take to bring a child to Japan?
Allow time to obtain documents, for Immigration examination, for the overseas visa application and for travel preparation. Timing varies by country, application and additional document requests, so start well before school enrollment or an important birthday. At consultation, we explain the preparation sequence for your situation.
A Certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee visa issuance or landing permission.
Support and fees for bringing your child to Japan
Long-Term Resident application support
JPY 99,000 (tax included)
For biological parents holding Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National or similar status.
We consider bringing an unmarried minor biological child from overseas, including where the parent holds Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident status.
Dependent application support
JPY 88,000 (tax included)
For biological parents holding Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or another eligible status.
Application support for a biological parent with an eligible status who wishes to bring a dependent child to Japan.
Expenses of JPY 860 are charged separately. We explain fees for bringing siblings together, the individual scope of support and out-of-pocket expenses before you engage us. View our fee schedule
- Checking the appropriate residence status and application method for your family
- Providing the required document list and reviewing collected documents
- Preparing application documents and statements of reasons, with translation support
- Submission to immigration and responses to additional document requests
- Reporting the examination result
Consult us nationwide by LINE or phone. You may need to obtain official documents and complete visa procedures at an overseas embassy yourself. We confirm the scope of application support, translation and expenses before engagement.
An administrative scrivener supports your application with your family’s circumstances in mind
Ryohei Yamamoto Administrative Scrivener Office provides consultation and application support concerning foreign nationals’ residence status. Ryohei Yamamoto himself has a Filipino wife and children and lives as part of an international family.
We listen to your experience of living apart and your hopes for life in Japan, then organize the procedures and practical preparations step by step. Meet the administrative scrivener and learn about our office
Frequently asked questions about bringing a child from overseas
Can I bring my child who lives with grandparents in my home country?
Living with grandparents alone does not determine eligibility. We check the parent’s status, the child’s age and family relationship, previous financial support and plans for care in Japan. Tell us why you have been living apart and why you wish to reunite now.
What if I want to bring my foreign wife and her child together?
The wife’s spouse application and the child’s application each have their own requirements. We review the family relationships and support plan before considering application and arrival timing. Please also tell us whether marriage procedures are complete and where your wife and child currently live.
Can I bring my foreign wife’s or husband’s child?
Long-Term Resident status may be an option. We check the foreign parent’s status, biological relationship, the child’s age and unmarried status, and financial dependency. Marriage to a Japanese national does not automatically establish eligibility.
Can I consult you if my child is 18 or older?
Yes. Requirements differ between Long-Term Resident status for an unmarried minor biological child and Dependent status. Dependent status has no universal under-18 rule, but adult children require careful review of actual dependency and life history.
Does a permanent resident’s child qualify as Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident?
A child born overseas does not automatically receive this status. We check the birthplace, the parent’s status at birth and subsequent residence history. Long-Term Resident or another suitable status may be considered for an unmarried minor biological child overseas.
How much income do I need?
We cannot determine approval using a single income figure on this page. We assess whether your family’s living expenses can be supported, considering the number of dependents, income stability, housing costs and savings.
Can my child enter as a tourist and change status afterward?
Changing from Temporary Visitor status requires special unavoidable circumstances. Do not travel on the assumption that a change will be allowed. Consult us first about applying from overseas and other suitable procedures.
Is a birth certificate enough to apply?
In addition to proof of the parent-child relationship, evidence of the sponsor’s status and financial resources is required. We explain additional documents according to divorce, remarriage, custody and other circumstances.
Can I consult you after a previous refusal?
Yes. We review the refusal reasons and previously submitted documents, and consider additional evidence and application methods. Approval of a new application cannot be guaranteed.
Can I engage you from another region?
We accept consultations and applications nationwide. We discuss your situation by LINE or phone and explain document exchange and the application process.
Start by telling us about your child
You do not need every document before contacting us. Please share the following as far as you know.
- The parent’s residence status
- The child’s age, nationality and current country of residence
- Your relationship, such as biological child or stepchild
- Your preferred arrival date and any concerns
It is fine to say, “I don’t know whether Long-Term Resident or Dependent applies.”
Nationwide consultations, including weekends, holidays and evenings.
Official information: Immigration Services Agency: Long-Term Resident ／ Dependent . We check your family’s circumstances and the latest official guidance when applying.