A foreigner residing in Japan who wishes to live in Japan with his/her family,Obtain a "Family Resident Visa."The "Family Resident Visa" is a status of residence required for foreigners residing in Japan to bring their spouses, children, and other family members to Japan to live with them. It is an important visa that allows a foreigner to live in Japan with his/her family with peace of mind, and the applicant is required to prove his/her income and living arrangements. This article will explain in detail the conditions for obtaining a Family Resident Visa, the flow of procedures, and required documents.
Status of Residence Permit for Family Residency
Status of Residential Residence Permits
According to the statistics for 2023, "Permanent Resident" and "Special Permanent Resident" are by far the most common residence statuses, followed by "Family Visa" for family members of those already working or studying in Japan with residence status, and more than 260,000 people apply for this visa to enter Japan annually. More than 260,000 people apply for this type of visa each year and enter Japan.
(by the author, seeStatistics on Foreign Residents of Japan, Immigration and Naturalization Service)
Status of residence of the individual who is eligible to apply for a family residence visa
The main residence permit statuses that allow family members to be brought in areRequires a work visa or specific entitlement to stay in the country for an extended period of timeThe first two are the following.
With the status of residence of Specified Technical Skills 1 or Technical Intern Training, it is not possible to invite family members except in special cases such as for humanitarian reasons. The following are the main statuses of residence that allow family members to be brought over.
- Advanced Professional Visa
feature: This status is for foreigners with advanced specialized skills and knowledge, such as researchers, engineers, managers, etc. Eligibility is based on a point system.
calling one's family: It is possible to bring your spouse and children to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". Furthermore, it is relatively easy to obtain permission for the spouse to work in Japan as well. - Management visa
feature: This is a status of residence granted to foreigners who establish a company or manage a business in Japan.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - Technical/Humanities/International Services Visa
feature: This program is for foreigners who work using their expertise, such as IT engineers, interpreters, designers, marketing, etc.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - intra-company transfer
feature: This visa is issued to employees of a foreign company to work at a branch or affiliated company in Japan.
calling one's familyFamily Resident Visa : If certain conditions are met, spouses and children can be invited to Japan to live with them on a "Family Resident Visa". - Research Visa
feature: This visa is granted to foreign nationals who will conduct research activities at Japanese educational or research institutions.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - Educational Visa
featureForeigners working as teachers or professors in educational institutions are eligible for this program. Examples include foreign language teachers and university professors.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - Legal and accounting work visa
feature: Foreigners with professional qualifications such as lawyers, accountants, tax accountants, etc. are eligible.
calling one's family: It is possible to bring your spouse and children to Japan on a "Family Residence Visa". - medical visa
feature: This program is for foreign nationals who provide medical services in Japan, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, etc.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - Specified Technical Visa No. 2
feature: Foreigners with advanced skills in specific industries are eligible for this program. Unlike Specified Technical Skills 1, it is possible to stay in Japan for a longer period of time and is also eligible to bring family members.
calling one's family: Spouses and children can be brought to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa". - Permanent Resident Visa
feature: This visa is granted to foreigners who are eligible for a long-term stay in Japan. This visa allows long-term residence in Japan with no restrictions on work or residence.
calling one's family: It is possible to bring spouses and children to Japan on a "Family Resident Visa" or "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident Visa". - Spouse or Child Visa for Japanese Nationals
feature: Spouses and children of Japanese nationals are eligible for this program.
calling one's familySpouses and children of Japanese nationals do not need a family visa and are free to stay and work in Japan. - Permanent Resident Visa
feature: Foreign nationals who are staying in Japan for a specific reason for a long period of time are eligible. For example, a foreigner who has been living in Japan for a long period of time and his/her spouse fall under this category.
calling one's family: It is possible to bring your spouse and children to Japan on a "Family Residence Visa". - Diplomatic/Official Visa
feature: Foreign diplomats and their officials are eligible.
calling one's family: Spouses and children may accompany their spouses and children to Japan.
In addition to the above,Foreigners with status of residence in the arts, religion, press, law, nursing, entertainment, cultural activities or study abroad (limited to graduate students and long-term students) may bring their families.When bringing family members to Japan, an application for a Family Resident Visa is required, and proof of financial ability to cover living expenses and housing is required.
Status of Residence for which a Family Resident Visa cannot be applied for
In principle, foreign nationals with "Specified Technical Skills 1" and "Technical Intern Training" status are not allowed to bring their family members to Japan.Below are the details regarding family call-in for each status of residence.
1. Specified Technical Skills No. 1 Resident Status
For "specific skills."Specified Skills 1andSpecified Skills No. 2There are two types of Each has different provisions for bringing in family members,In principle, family members are not allowed to accompany the worker in the case of Specified Skill 1.
Since Specified Technical Skill 1 includes simple labor, it is basically not possible to bring in a spouse or children. A Specified Technical Skills 1 visa allows a five-year stay, but there are restrictions on bringing family members with you.
2. Technical Internship Status of Residence
- No family members are allowed to accompany the student.
- Foreign nationals staying in Japan as technical interns are intended to learn and practice their skills and are generally not allowed to bring their family members. The technical intern visa status does not entitle the foreign national to apply for a family stay visa.
Exceptions and special circumstances
Even if you have a status of residence that does not allow you to bring in family members, exceptions may be made in the following special circumstances or cases, but they are very rare.
- Humanitarian reasonsThere are cases where there are: for example, when a spouse or child has serious health problems, there may be exceptional cases where family members may be allowed to call in for humanitarian reasons, but this is usually difficult to do.
- Change of status of residence from technical internship or specified skills to other status of residence: For example, if you change your visa status from Technical Internship or Specified Technical Skill 1 to Advanced Technical Worker or other long-stay visa, you may be able to bring in your family at that time.
In order to bring in family members, you will need to change your status of residence or consider other methods, depending on your specific situation.It is recommended that you consult with a specialist such as an immigration bureau or application agency administrative scrivener.
Scope of family members who can be brought in on a family residence visa
Family Resident VisaThe range of family members that can be brought to Japan in thespouseandMinor childrenIt is limited to
1. spouse
Legally married spouseare eligible. Official documents such as a marriage certificate are required to prove marital status. not legally recognized in Japan.common-law marriageand ... andpartner relationIn general, applications for family residence visas are not approved in the following cases.
2. Minor children
Unmarried children under 18 years of ageare eligible. as well as biological children,adopted child (usu. male)may also be eligible for a family residence visa, in which case they will be required to submit documents related to the adoption of the child.
Families that cannot be called upon
- parentsand ... andgrandparentsand other immediate family members (family members of the older generation) are not eligible for a family residence visa.
- siblingsThe family visa is not available to bring in a foreigner on a family residence visa.
For this reason, it is basically possible to bring in a person on a family residence visa.Spouse and minor childrenIf you wish to bring other relatives to Japan, you will need a different visa and procedures.
Application Procedures for Family Resident Visa
Visa application is,Immigration office with jurisdiction over the area where the family plans to liveThe application is filed at the Immigration Bureau. If the applicant (the one who is bringing in the applicant) is residing in Japan, he/she or his/her representative (e.g., Gyoseishoshi Lawyer for application agency) will apply to the Immigration Bureau.
The documents required to apply for a family residence visa are as follows
- Application Documents
Obtain an application form for Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Bureau and fill it out. - Documents related to family members to be called
Documents proving family relations, such as a copy of the family register (for Japanese nationals) or marriage certificate (for marriages between foreigners) (if translation is required, a translated version must also be submitted). For children, a birth certificate is required. - Economic Proof
- Resident taxation certificate and tax payment certificate (available at the city office in Japan).
- Proof of employment and pay stubs (most recent 3 months).
- Bank balance certificate (to show that you have sufficient savings).
- Documents related to the holder of status of residence (the party inviting the applicant)
- A copy of your passport and a copy of your residence card.
- Certificate of residence (can be obtained at city hall).
Once all documents are in order, submit them to the Immigration Bureau. This procedure can be performed by a lawyer or administrative scrivener who is qualified to act as an application intermediary. If family members are still out of the country, they must submit the "Certificate of Eligibility for Resident StatusYou must apply for the issuance of a "B".
Once your application is received, the Immigration Bureau will begin the screening process.A review process can take from several weeks to several months. The review process can take several weeks to several months.Additional documents may be requested during the review process.
If you pass the examination, a "Certificate of Eligibility" will be issued.This certificate is used by family members to apply for a family residence visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country.
A family member with a certificate of eligibility,Apply for a family stay visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate and a visa will be issued.
An application for landing permission is one of the procedures required for a foreigner to enter Japan, and is an application to obtain permission from an immigration inspector upon entry into Japan. Specifically, upon arrival in Japan, the foreigner is required to apply for landing permission at the immigration checkpoint at the airport or port of entry.
Foreign nationals wishing to land in Japan must undergo a landing inspection upon entering the country, even if they have obtained a valid visa (visa) in advance. At this inspection, the following requirements will be checked:
- Must possess a valid passport
- Must have the purpose of lawfully staying in Japan
- Not to be involved in criminal activities in Japan
- No reason for refusal to land is applicable.
- The applicant must be granted a status of residence appropriate to the duration and purpose of his/her stay in Japan after entry into the country.
Once landing permission is granted, you will be granted a "status of residence" that allows you to stay in Japan for a certain period of time. This allows you to engage in activities in Japan within the scope of the status of residence you have applied for, such as business, sightseeing, studying abroad, and working.
Once landing permission is granted, the applicant will enter Japan and receive a residence card at the airport. (except at some airports) This resident card will be used as identification during the applicant's stay in Japan.
Time required for application, duration of stay, and renewal
The time from application to permit approval is usually one to three months.It is. However, it is recommended to apply well in advance, as it may vary depending on the region and circumstances.
The period of stay for a Family Resident Visa can be one year, three years, or five years, depending on the status of the invited family member's stay. ResidencyRenewal procedures must be completed before the expiration of the term.
How was it?
Applying for a Family Resident Visa requires documents proving family relationships and financial proof, and the process can sometimes be complicated and time-consuming. In addition, the documents required differ depending on the status of residence of the applicant (the person who wishes to bring his/her family over).The key to success is to follow the instructions of the Immigration Bureau with the help of an expert such as an administrative scrivener at an early stage and prepare the necessary documents thoroughly.
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