Spouse Visa and Children’s Residency Status in Japan (Family Stay)

Basic Points about Spouse Visa and Children’s Residency Status

When a foreign national marries a Japanese citizen or permanent resident and applies for a spouse visa, it is quite common for them to also wish to bring their children to Japan. This is especially frequent in cases where there are children from a previous marriage or when the children are still minors.

An important point to understand is that the residency status of the spouse and the child are not the same. While the spouse applies under the category of “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”, the child is usually required to apply under the status of “Family Stay”. Recognizing this difference makes the preparation process clearer.

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Children’s Residency Status: “Family Stay”

When a child wishes to enter or remain in Japan together with their parent (the foreign spouse), the application is generally made under “Family Stay”.

Although “Family Stay” is normally granted to the spouse or children of foreign nationals with work visas, it is also applied to children of those holding spouse visas.

This means:

• Spouse → “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” / “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”
• Child → “Family Stay”

Since the categories are different, separate sets of documents must be prepared for each application.

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Common Correction Notices (Typical Cases)

Applications involving children are more likely to receive correction notices (requests for additional documents) compared to ordinary spouse visa cases. The reason is simple: there are more factors to verify. Common examples include:

• Birth certificates and proof of parent–child relationship
  If the child does not appear in a Japanese family register, an overseas birth certificate or recognition document is required. A certified translation must usually be attached.
• Parental authority and custody documents
  If there is a history of divorce, it must be clearly shown who holds custody and what the custody arrangements are.
• Proof of child support and financial responsibility
  If there are arrangements for child support with the former spouse, documents proving payments and clarifying who will be financially responsible for the child in Japan are often required.
• Evidence of living environment
  Proof that the home is suitable for living with children, or documents such as school or daycare enrollment confirmations, may be requested to show that the child has a stable environment.

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Required Documents

It is best to organize documents into three groups: for the spouse, for the child, and common documents.

Category	Main Documents	Key Points
Spouse	Application form, Residence Card, passport, marriage certificate, residence record	The spouse’s eligibility to reside in Japan must be established first
Child	Application form, passport, photo, birth certificate, proof of parent–child relationship	Documents must clearly establish the family relationship and dependency
Common	Letter of guarantee, tax certificates, income certificates, residence-related documents	Proof of financial capacity and stable living arrangements are critical

Especially for child-related documents, the required format and issuing authority differ by country, and official translations are often mandatory.

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Key Points in the Examination

Immigration authorities will pay particular attention to whether the child can live in Japan in a stable environment. Important aspects include:

• Sufficient household income
  Tax certificates and payslips are checked to confirm financial stability.
• Adequate living environment
  The size and layout of the residence, as well as school or daycare arrangements, are reviewed.
• Clear parental authority and custody
  If custody arrangements with the former spouse are unclear, immigration may judge the child’s future as uncertain.

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Cases Likely to Be Denied and Countermeasures

Applications for spouse visas with children are more likely to be denied in the following situations:

• Missing or insufficient documents proving birth or parent–child relationship
• Custody or parental authority documents are unclear
• Household income does not meet the standard
• Living or educational arrangements are incomplete

Countermeasures include:

• Submitting original public certificates (birth, custody) with certified translations
• Preparing a household financial plan to demonstrate stable income
• Adding residence lease agreements or school admission letters as supplementary proof

This accumulation of evidence increases the likelihood of approval.

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Benefits of Professional Support

Applications involving children require more documents and are more prone to correction notices. Engaging a legal professional (gyoseishoshi) offers clear advantages:

• Identifying required and missing documents
• Support with translation and authentication of overseas documents
• Drafting supplementary explanations on custody or parental rights
• Prompt and accurate responses to correction notices

Professional support helps prevent omissions and ensures the case file gives immigration officers confidence in approving the application.

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Conclusion

When applying for a spouse visa together with a child’s residency status (Family Stay), immigration authorities conduct a broader and more detailed examination.
It is essential to provide comprehensive evidence of the parent–child relationship, custody rights, financial capacity, residence stability, and educational arrangements.

With careful preparation, it is possible for the family, including children, to start a stable life together in Japan. If you have concerns, seeking expert advice will make the process smoother and increase the chances of success.
If you feel uncertain, don’t worry alone. By consulting a professional, you can move forward with more confidence toward getting approval.

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

“If you would like to obtain a spouse visa quickly and reliably, or if you feel uncertain about renewal or changing your residence status, please feel free to consult with our office in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka. We provide support for clients from all over Japan, making use of our experience in dealing with the Immigration Bureau.

If you wish to proceed with your spouse visa application smoothly and with confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

▶ Click here to see our fee schedule”

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