How To Get Family Visa In Japan
Do you want to get family visa in Japan? Then this guide is perfect for you. Take a look at it.
In order to live in Japan with your family, you need to obtain Family Visa. Most people just get the ordinary visa and then marry their partner who is a Japanese citizen or has permanent residency in Japan. However, the requirements vary depending on the case. Since there are different rules and regulations, make sure to follow them properly. Otherwise, your application will be denied.
This article shows the procedure of applicants who wish to bring their family members to Japan on a family visa. Such applicants must be able to satisfy some very stringent conditions. As such, there are very many steps involved in this process and innumerable documents that must be acquired for a successful outcome.
There are many foreigners living in Japan who have not obtained Japanese citizenship. If you are one of them, your family members may be able to obtain a family visa and join you in Japan. This article will explain what it takes to get a visa for your family members and how to manage your family’s residency once they arrive in Japan.
How To Get Family Visa In Japan
When you’re relocating to Japan, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is who will be coming with you. You’ll no doubt have a hefty list of candidates – your spouse, older children and elderly parents. You might have considered taking all of them – but deciding to go down that path could cause tensions in the home. It’s also not always a viable solution as some candidates won’t be accepted by Japanese immigration.
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”)
(Form available from the Immigration Bureau)
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/01-format.html
・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
※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.
※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”) (Form available from the
Immigration Bureau)
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/03.html
・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
※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.
※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.