1. Inviting Family Members to Japan
  2. Necessary Procedures after Family Members’ Arrival in Japan

1) Inviting Family Members to Japan

1. When family stay in Japan to visit relatives for less than 3 months

Family members can visit Japan on a Temporary Visitor Visa if they will stay in Japan for less than 3 months. If their passport is issued by a  country or region that has a Visa Exemption arrangement with Japan, they do not have to obtain a  temporary visitor visa beforehand.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan – Guide to Japanese Visas: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

2. When family stay in Japan for more than 3 months

If a foreign student studying in Japan under the residence status of “Student” wishes to bring family members to Japan to live with them, a visa (Dependent visa) must be acquired for each family member. Only the spouse and child(ren) of the student are eligible for the Dependent Visa.

There are two ways to acquire this visa:

One way is to go directly to an overseas Japanese embassy or consulate and apply for a visa. (It may take 2-3 months.)

The second way is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent) at an Immigration Bureau in Japan on behalf of the family member(s). The Certificate of Eligibility is usually issued about 1 month after the application form is submitted. Send the Certificate(s) of Eligibility to your family member(s). Each family member should bring their Certificate of Eligibility along with other necessary documents to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in their country to apply for the “Dependent” visa.

  • If you wish to invite your family to stay with you, it is advised that you do this once you have become accustomed to life in Japan and have found a place for them to live.
  • If your child (or children) will attend nursery school or elementary school, etc., please research schools in the area prior to inviting your family member(s).

How to apply

Documents to be submitted:

  • Application form for the Certificate of Eligibility for Dependent status (R “Dependent”)
  • A copy of each family member’s passport
  • An ID photo (4 x 3cm, taken within 3 months before application) for each family member
  • Documents certifying the personal relationship between the international student and each family member, such as a copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate.
  • Documents regarding the Supporter (International student)
    1. A copy of the Supporter’s passport
    2. A copy of Supporter’s residence card (front and back)
    3. One of the Supporter’s certificates issued by Kobe University, such as the
      student registration certificate
      1. Degree-seeking students can receive these from the automatic certificate issuing machine. Non-degree students need to ask the Academic Affairs Section of their faculty/graduate school.
      2. If the supporter has failed to graduate within the expected period and must remain in Japan for this reason, a statement explaining the reason for failing to meet the graduation requirements must be submitted.
    4. Official documents that show the Supporter’s income or ability to support the family during their entire stay in Japan, such as a bank statement, Certificate of Scholarship etc.
  • A return envelope (standard-size self-addressed, affixed with the necessary stamp (?404) for simple registered mail, "kan-i-kakitome")
  • Please attach a Japanese translation if one of the documents for submission is in another language.
  • All certificates issued in Japan must be issued within three months prior to the date of application
  • Additional documents may be required by the Immigration Bureau.
  • In principle, all submitted materials will not be returned. Therefore, if there are any important documents that you want returned to you, please notify the official when handing in your application documents.
  • The Certificate is valid for 3 months. Your family should obtain the visa and arrive in Japan within this period.

Application Procedures

Submit the above documents to the Immigration Bureau on behalf of the family.

2) Necessary Procedures after Family Members’ Arrival in Japan

(1) Notification of Place of Residence for the Family Members

Within 14 days of moving to the new residence, the family members should visit the city/ward office and submit the moving-in notification. They should take their residence card(s) and, if they live in the same household as you, they should also take  official proof of their relationship with you (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.). Official documents written in foreign languages should be submitted alongside a Japanese translation. An additional document with the name, address, and seal or signature of the person who translated the documents should be submitted as well. You may translate the documents. All the submitted documents should be original. In principle, all submitted materials will not be returned. Therefore, if there are any important documents that you want returned to you, please notify the official when handing in your application documents. At the same time as submitting the moving-in notification, the family member(s) should also apply for National Health Insurance, the National Pension System, and other official programs if eligible.

(2) Extension of Period of Stay for family

If student’s family member(s) wish to extend their permitted term of residence, they must apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau (which controls their residing area) prior to the expiration date. Applications are accepted from three months prior to the expiration of the current period of stay. Please make sure to check  the period of stay carefully, and allow sufficient time to apply for an extension before it expires.

The Immigration Bureau will issue a new residence card with the new expiration date.

Reference

Immigration Services Agency of Japan Website
Permission for Extending Period of Stay:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/koushin.html
Application for Extension of Period of Stay (Procedure):
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/03.html
Immigration Bureau Organization:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/soshiki/index.html

How to apply

Documents to be submitted:
Resident status: Dependent
  • Application for Extension of Period of Stay ((R “Dependent”)
  • An ID photo for each family member (4 x 3 cm, taken within three months prior to the date of application) (Not necessary for members under 16 years old)
  • Each family member’s passport (Original)
  • Each family member’s residence card (or Alien Registration Card)(Original)
  • Processing fee of ?4,000, to be paid in revenue stamps (shunyu inshi)
    • Revenue stamps (shunyu inshi) are available at post offices and convenience stores.
  • Documents certifying the personal relationship between the international student and each family member, such as a copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate.
  • Documents regarding the Supporter (International student)
    1. Supporter’s passport copy
    2. A copy of Supporter’s residence card (front and back)
    3. One of the Supporter’s certificates issued by Kobe University, such as the student registration certificate
      1. Degree students can receive this from the automatic certificate issuing machine. Non-degree students need to ask the Academic Affairs Section of their faculty/graduate school.
      2. If the supporter has failed to graduate within the expected period and must remain in Japan for this reason, a statement explaining the reason for failing to meet the graduation requirements must be submitted.
    4. Official documents that show the Supporter’s income or ability to support the family during their entire stay in Japan, such as a bank statement, Certificate of Scholarship etc.
  • Please attach a Japanese translation if one of the documents for submission is in another language.
  • All certificates issued in Japan must be issued within three months prior to the date of application.
  • Additional documents may be required by the Immigration Bureau.
  • In principle, all submitted materials will not be returned. Therefore, if there are any important documents that you want returned to you, please notify the official when handing in your application documents.

Application Procedures

Submit the above documents to the Immigration Bureau which controls your residing area.

(3) When a child is born in Japan

Registration of Birth

When a child is born to two foreign nationals in Japan, please submit the registration of birth for Alien Registration within 14 days from the date of birth along with a Certificate of Birth issued by the hospital and the Maternal and child health handbook (Boshi-Techo) at the residential city/ ward office. After submission,  your child’s name and date of birth will be listed in your household’s resident record.

Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence for Newborns (Report of Birth)

If the child is going to stay in Japan for more than 60 days from their date of birth, an application for acquisition of status of residence must be made within 30 days from the date of birth at the Immigration Bureau which controls your residing area. The Immigration Bureau will issue a residence card for them.

Reference

Immigration Services Agency of Japan Website
Acquisition Status of Residence:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/syutoku.html
Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence: 
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/04.html　
Immigration Bureau Organization:　
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/soshiki/index.html

How to apply

Documents to be submitted:

  • Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence
  • Passports of both parents (Original)
  • Residence Cards (or Alien Registration Cards) of both parents (Original)
  • The resident record (“Juminhyo”)(Certificate of Items Stated in Resident Register "Juminhyo-kisaijiko-shomeisho") of the family in Japan (issued by the city/ward office)
  • Certificate of Birth issued by the hospital or an Acceptance Letter of Birth Certificate issued by a municipal ward office
  • Maternal and child health handbook (Boshi-Techo)
  • Questionnaire (available at the Immigration Bureau)
  • A photo is not required for this application.
  • Application is free of charge
  • Additional documents may be required by the Immigration Bureau.

Application Procedures

The application should be made by either parent at the Immigration Bureau which controls the residing area.