# Child allowance (児童手当) and childbirth payments for foreigners

URL: https://japanhow.com/money/benefits/child-allowance-japan-foreigners/
Author: japanhow editors
Updated: Oct 21, 2026

## Summary

Foreign residents raising a child who lives in Japan can get the child allowance (児童手当). As of October 2026 it pays ¥15,000 a month under age 3, ¥10,000 from 3 to the end of high-school age, and ¥30,000 for a third or later child, with no income limit since October 2024. Apply at your city office within 15 days of a birth or move. Children living abroad are excluded unless studying abroad. Childbirth itself brings a ¥500,000 lump-sum grant.

## Key facts

- Under 3: ¥15,000 a month
- Age 3 to 18: ¥10,000 a month
- Third child onward: ¥30,000 a month
- Apply within: 15 days of birth or move

Yes, foreign residents can get Japan's **child allowance** (児童手当, jidō teate) if they live here and so does the child. As of October 2026 it is **¥15,000 a month** per child under 3, **¥10,000** from 3 until the end of high-school age, and **¥30,000** for a third or later child. There has been **no income limit** since October 2024. The child must live in Japan, and you apply at your city office within **15 days**.

## How much is the child allowance in Japan?

The Children and Families Agency (こども家庭庁) sets the amounts. Since October 2024:

| Child's age | First and second child | Third child and later |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | ¥15,000 a month | ¥30,000 a month |
| 3 to the first 31 March after turning 18 | ¥10,000 a month | ¥30,000 a month |

**Counting the third child:** you count from the eldest. Older children count until the first 31 March after they turn 22, if you still look after them and pay their living costs. You file a confirmation form for them.

### What changed in October 2024?

Yokohama City's summary of the change:

- **Income limit abolished.** Before, higher earners got a reduced ¥5,000 or nothing.
- **Extended to high-school age.** It used to stop at the end of junior high school.
- **Third child gets ¥30,000** at every age, and older siblings count up to age 22 instead of 18.
- **Paid 6 times a year** instead of 3.

Some city English leaflets still show the old amounts. Use the table above.

### When is the child allowance paid?

In even months: **February, April, June, August, October and December**. Each payment covers the two months before. For example, the June payment covers April and May. It goes to a bank account in the recipient's own name.

## Can foreigners get the child allowance?

Yes. Nagoya City states that foreign nationals are included. The conditions are about where you and the child live, not your visa type:

- **You live in the city** and are raising the child. Apply where you are registered as a resident.
- **The child lives in Japan.**
- **The recipient is the parent with the higher income**, the one who mainly supports the household (生計中心者).

Nothing on the pages we checked asks for permanent residency or a minimum time in Japan.

### What if my child lives abroad?

In principle, **children living abroad are not covered**. Many readers have children with grandparents in their home country: those children don't qualify.

The exception is a **child studying abroad**. Nagoya City requires all three:

1. The child lived in Japan continuously for **more than 3 years** before leaving.
2. The child lives abroad **to study**, not with a parent.
3. The child left Japan **within the last 3 years**.

### What if one parent lives abroad?

If the higher earner lives abroad but the other parent and the child live in Japan, the parent in Japan can receive it (Ota City). If both parents live abroad, they can designate a person in Japan, such as a grandparent, to receive it for a child living in Japan.

## How do I apply for the child allowance?

**The 15-day rule:** Payment starts the month after you apply. If you apply late, the months you missed are generally lost. There is one help: if a birth or move happens near the end of a month and you apply early the next month, within 15 days, payment starts from the month you apply instead of the month after.

### Do I need to file a status report (現況届)?

Usually not. Since June 2022 most families don't need the annual status report. Your city sends one in June if it needs it. If it asks and you don't return it, payments stop from June.

### What if I move or leave Japan?

- **Moving within Japan:** apply again at your new city within 15 days of the planned move-out date.
- **Recipient moves abroad:** Nagoya says the other parent living in Japan must apply as the new recipient. Any months paid after you stopped qualifying must be repaid.
- **Moving abroad long-term:** file a termination notice (支給事由消滅届).

See the [leaving Japan checklist](/visa/leaving/leaving-japan-checklist/) for the other offices to tell.

## What payments do I get when my baby is born?

These come from different places, and three depend on your insurance:

| Payment | Amount | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Childbirth and childcare lump-sum grant (出産育児一時金) | ¥500,000 per child | Anyone in Japan's public health insurance at the birth, pregnancy 85 days or more |
| Maternity allowance (出産手当金) | Two-thirds of your standard daily pay, per day off | The insured employee in company health insurance or a mutual aid association |
| Pregnancy support payment (妊婦のための支援給付) | ¥50,000 + ¥50,000 per child | From your city, for pregnancies and births from April 2025 |
| NHI premium reduction around childbirth | Lower premium | National Health Insurance members giving birth from November 2023 |

### The ¥500,000 lump-sum grant

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) says the grant is **¥500,000 per child** in principle, raised from ¥420,000 in April 2023. Under the **direct payment system** (直接支払制度) the hospital claims it from your insurer, and you pay only the cost above ¥500,000. If the birth cost less, you claim the difference. Ask your hospital if it uses the system. If you are in [National Health Insurance](/money/insurance/national-health-insurance-japan-foreigners/), ask your city's NHI counter.

### Maternity allowance for employees

If you are an employee in company health insurance, the maternity allowance covers days off from **42 days before** the birth (98 for twins or more) to **56 days after**. Each day pays two-thirds of your standard daily pay. If your employer pays you less than that for those days, you get the difference. The ministry's description covers company insurance and mutual aid associations. It doesn't list National Health Insurance.

### Pregnancy support payment

Since 1 April 2025, cities pay **¥50,000** per pregnancy after a pregnancy interview, and **¥50,000** per child after the birth. In Minato City it comes after the "Hello Baby" home visit, as a bank transfer or a Tokyo e-coupon. The details differ by city.

This page is general information. Your city office's child allowance counter decides your case.

## More guides

- [Dependent visa in Japan](/visa/visas/dependent-visa-japan/): bringing your children to live with you.
- [Year-end adjustment and tax returns](/money/tax/year-end-adjustment-tax-return-foreigners/): claiming family deductions.
- [Spouse visa](/visa/visas/spouse-visa-japan/)
- [Send money from Japan](/money/remittance/send-money-from-japan/)

## Questions people ask

### Can foreigners get the child allowance in Japan?

Yes. Nagoya City, for example, says foreign nationals are included. What matters is that you live in the city and are raising the child, and that the child lives in Japan. None of the official pages we checked asks for permanent residency.

### Can I get child allowance in Japan if my child lives in my home country?

In principle, no. Children living abroad are excluded, except students abroad who lived in Japan for more than 3 years before leaving, live away from their parents to study, and left within the last 3 years.

### When is the child allowance paid in Japan?

Six times a year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. Each payment covers the two previous months.

### How much is the childbirth lump sum in Japan?

¥500,000 per child, in principle, if you are in Japanese public health insurance at the birth and the pregnancy lasted 85 days or more. A hospital using the direct payment system claims it from your insurer for you.

### Does the child allowance have an income limit?

No. The income limit was abolished from the October 2024 allowance onward.

## Sources

- [児童手当制度のご案内](https://www.cfa.go.jp/policies/kokoseido/jidouteate/annai), Children and Families Agency (こども家庭庁) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [児童手当の制度改正（令和6年10月分から）](https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kosodate-kyoiku/oyakokenko/teate/teate/jite-R6kaisei.html), Yokohama City (横浜市) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [児童手当 よくある質問](https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/faq/bunya/kosodate/jidouteate.html), Ota City (大田区) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [児童手当](https://www.city.nagoya.jp/kodomo/ninshin/1008971/1008973.html), Nagoya City (名古屋市) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [出産育児一時金等について](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iryouhoken/shussan/index.html), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [出産手当金](https://www.bosei-navi.mhlw.go.jp/glossary/provide02.html), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (bosei-navi) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [妊婦のための支援給付](https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/chiikihoken/kodomo/syusankosodate07.html), Minato City (港区) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
- [保険料の減免について](https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/hoken/hoken01_002030.html), Shinjuku City (新宿区) (accessed Oct 21, 2026)