Stepchild’s Visa (Child of the former spouse)

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Stepchild Visa in Japan: Long-Term Resident & Designated Activities Guide
What Is a Stepchild Visa in Japan?
To confirm 3 points
Consider all other visa requirements
Four key things to explain (prove) when applying
FAQ: Bringing a Stepchild to Japan (Long-Term Resident & Other Visa Options)
Q1. Can a Permanent Resident in Japan bring their spouse’s children (stepchildren) from abroad to Japan?
Q2. What visa applies to a foreign spouse’s child of a Japanese PR foreinger?
Q3. What are the main requirements for a stepchild to qualify as a Long-Term Resident?
Q4. How is the application made if the children are overseas?
Q5. What documents are typically required?
Q6. What if both parents are foreign nationals living in Japan?
Q7. How does a child apply under Designated Activities in this case?
Summary
Reference page:

Stepchild Visa in Japan: Long-Term Resident & Designated Activities Guide

If you are a Japanese national of Permanent Resident Foreigner who wants to bring your spouse’s children (stepchildren) to Japan, this stepchild visa guide explains how to do so under the Long-Term Resident visa systems. Many cases qualify under official immigration practice when requirements are met.

What Is a Stepchild Visa in Japan?

Today I would like to introduce the visa required when a child between and a former spouse, i.e. a stepchild, comes to live in Japan.

The status of residence is divided into “Long Term Resident” visa. A Long Term Resident Visa is a visa that is granted by law to a person who is allowed to live in Japan for a certain period of time after consideration by the Minister of Justice for special reasons, and to a person who remarries a child from his or her ex-wife or ex-husband.

To give a specific example;

A Chinese woman who is married to a Japanese man and lives in Japan, a Chinese woman who is married, has a child with her ex-husband who will soon turn 16 years old, a child who is Chinese and lives in China, and has brought the child to live in Japan. is being considered. In this case, you can consider having the child apply for a long term resident visa.

To confirm 3 points

In this case there are THREE points to be aware of.

Children are minor.
The child is unmarried.
Raised by actual parents who are Japanese, permanent residents, permanent residents for at least one year, or whose spouse is a Japanese spouse or holder of a permanent resident spouse visa.

The first point is that a child is underage and is a minor under the age of 18 under Japanese law (from April 1, 2022), but if he or she is judged to be an adult under the laws of his or her country and can earn a living independently, he or she is not dependent. and does not need to be dependent, it is possible that the first article will not be found.

In short, even though you are being raised, you may be suspected of having the intention to work in Japan. For example, if he were in Nepal, the age of adulthood is 16 years old, so that the condition of being a minor is not met. Although you are an adult, it is necessary for you to prove that you have to do so for a reason, such as a physical disability, and so on.
(Please refer to the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the age of majority in each country. )

Regarding the conditions of dependents, there are many very detailed rules for the types of visas for family relationships, and it is important not to make a mistake when determining them.

As an example, there are most cases where the remarriage partner is a Japanese national, and the biological parent has a Japanese spouse visa, and there are children with the former husband (wife). The same applies to cases where the object of the remarriage is a permanent resident visa and the biological parent is a spouse of a permanent resident.

However, it is not enough to say that it is a biological child, how the child is raised so far in the case of separation of flesh and blood in the home country and the parents in Japan, how the child is raised by negotiation between the ex-husband (wife) who broke up, there are remittances, and various documents proving that the child is raised financially need to be added. In particular, if you have been living apart for a long time and suddenly want to live together in Japan, you need to explain your decision, opportunity, and reason.

In addition, it is necessary to explain the receiving party, the marital status of the current spouse, and the financial status of the current spouse, especially if the current spouse has a clear intention to support the child. The economic aspect of raising a stepchild is considered in the same terms as raising a child in terms of family income, whether or not the child has a stable job and a stable income, etc. are key factors. The family’s plans for the child’s future upbringing, living, schooling, etc. should also be specified and explained in detail.

Consider all other visa requirements

The child’s visa will be considered in conjunction with other visa requirements.

The case that we have just described is the case of a stepchild coming to Japan at the age of 16. The application rate for long term residents for children over the age of 16 is very low, so we would like to recommend you to choose the type of visa by choosing what the child will do after coming to Japan and the specific activities.

There are student visa for Japanese language school, technical college (Senmongakko), and advancement to university, and there is also working visas can be considered. It is understandable that you want to live with your family, and it is necessary to go back to the original point and consider what your child is doing and what you want to do after coming to Japan, and make a decision after careful consideration together with your child.

Four key things to explain (prove) when applying

Reasons that need to be stated why you want to start bringing your child here now. Reasonable reasons why they were not brought here before.
The need to prove that the parents have been supporting the child since before (e.g. records of overseas remittances, etc.) and doing their parental responsibilities.
It is necessary to explain the specific plans of the child after coming to Japan. Coming to Japan to work is definitely not an option. A concrete and achievable plan of how the child will study.
Need to prove that you do not have any financial problems.

FAQ: Bringing a Stepchild to Japan (Long-Term Resident & Other Visa Options)

Q1. Can a Permanent Resident in Japan bring their spouse’s children (stepchildren) from abroad to Japan?

Yes, in many cases.

If a foreign national who has PR status in Japan is married to a foreign spouse, it is often possible to bring the spouse’s minor children to Japan under the Long-Term Resident (Teijusha) Visa.

This category is officially recognized by the Japanese immigration authority under a ministerial notification, allowing residence based on special humanitarian considerations.

Q2. What visa applies to a foreign spouse’s child of a Japanese PR foreinger?

In most cases, the child qualifies under Long-Term Resident Notification No. 6d (定住者告示第６号二).

Q3. What are the main requirements for a stepchild to qualify as a Long-Term Resident?

All of the following must be met:

The child is the biological child of the foreign spouse
The foreign spouse holds a “Spouse of Permanent Resident” visa
The child will be financially supported and raised by the Japanese PR forienger or the spouse
The child is a minor
The child is unmarried
The Japanese PR forienger (or spouse) has sufficient income to support the child

If these conditions are satisfied and properly documented, approval is highly likely.

Q4. How is the application made if the children are overseas?

If the children are abroad, the application is made through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application.

Typical processing time: around 3 months
Once approved, the children can apply for visas and enter Japan

Q5. What documents are typically required?

Key supporting documents include:

Family register (such as marriage certificate) of the Japanese PR forienger
Birth certificates of the child (with Japanese translations)
Employment certificate of the Japanese PR forienger or Spouse
Tax certificates (annual income of approx. JPY 3 million or more is desirable)
Bank statements
Real estate registry (if applicable)
A written statement explaining why the children should be raised in Japan

Well-prepared documentation and a clear explanation significantly improve approval chances.

Q6. What if both parents are foreign nationals living in Japan?

Example:

Step-parent (A) holds a work visa (e.g. HSP Visa, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa or Business Manager Visa)
A’s spouse (B) holds a Dependent visa

In this case:

If the child is legally adopted by stepparent (A) → the child may qualify for a Dependent Visa
If the child is not adopted → the child generally falls under Designated Activities Visa (non-notified category)

Q7. How does a child apply under Designated Activities in this case?

Because this is a non-notified Designated Activities visa:

A COE cannot be issued
The child must enter Japan first under a Temporary Visitor (such as relative visit) status
Then apply for a Change of Status of Residence inside Japan

Summary

Stepchildren of a Japanese national or PR foreigner often qualify as Long-Term Residents
Stepchildren in foreign–foreign marriages require different strategies
Early legal assessment is strongly recommended to choose the correct visa route

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