I would like to explain the status of residence (visa) for children of Permanent Residents to continue living in Japan.

The visa for a child of a permanent resident is a bit complicated, as the visa for a child varies depending on when the parent became a permanent resident and where the child was born. We will explain which visa you need to apply for case-by-case.

 

This article in Japanese:   永住者の子供の在留資格

 

 

A Parent was a Permanent Resident at the time of birth

 

This is the case where the father or the mother was a Permanent Resident at the time of the child’s birth.

 

 

Born in Japan as a child of Permanent Resident

 

• →Permanent Resident

 

If one of the parents was already a Permanent Resident at the time of the child’s birth and the child was born in Japan, the child can also apply for a Permanent Resident within 30 days of birth. The parents can apply to the Immigration Bureau in their jurisdiction as a representative, or an Immigration Lawyer can apply on their behalf.

 

Notice

*If you do not apply for Permanent Resident status within 30 days of birth, you need to apply for “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” visa.

*If the child is not granted Permanent Resident visa, you need to apply for “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” visa.

 

Born overseas as a child of Permanent Resident

→ Long-term Resident

Even if one parent is already a permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth, the child born abroad will apply for “Long-term Resident” but not for “Permanent Resident” visa.

For example, if the mother is already a Permanent Resident but returned to her home country to give birth, the child will apply for “Long-term Resident” visa. Note that a child born abroad does not qualify as a “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” either because the child must have been born in Japan to qualify as a “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”.

 

 

A parent became a Permanent Resident after the child’s birth

 

 

• →Long-term Resident

 

If a parent lives in Japan with a work visa such as “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” and becomes a “Permanent Resident”, the unmarried, minor child living as a dependent needs to change his/her visa from “Dependent” to “Long-term Resident”.

 

 

Spouse’s status of residence

 

If the supporting spouse becomes a Permanent Resident, the dependent spouse needs to change his/her visa to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”.

 

 

Summary

Thus, if the parent is a “Permanent Resident”, the children’s status of residence varies depending on the situation.

If the supporter becomes a Permanent Resident, both the dependent spouse and the children will need to change their status of residence. The Dependent visa is for spouses and children who are dependent on a person who has one of the following categories: “Professor”, “Artist”, “Religious Activity”, “Journalist”, “Highly Skilled Professionals”, “Business Manager”, “Legal/Accounting Services”, “Medical Services”, “Researcher”, “Instructor”, “Engineer, Humanities, or International Services”, “Intra-company Transferee”, “Nursing care”, “Entertainer”, “Skilled Labour”, “Cultural Activity”, or “Student”. Since “Permanent Resident” is not included in this category, family members must change their visa. Therefore, we recommend you apply for “Permanent Resident” for them at the same time if they meet the conditions.