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

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:

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?

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 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:

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, 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: bringing your children to live with you.
• Year-end adjustment and tax returns: claiming family deductions.
• Spouse visa
• Send money from Japan