Visas for children born or raised in Japan

There is no single children visa Japan issues. A child of foreign parents gets the status of residence (在留資格) that matches the parent, as of October 2026. For a baby born here, the parents apply within 30 days of the birth, the baby can stay up to 60 days without a status, and the application is free. The rules below come from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

Which status does my child get?

It depends on who the child’s parent is. ISA describes these statuses on separate pages.

Dependent covers a child who is supported (扶養) by the parent. Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Technical Intern Training are not on ISA’s sponsor list. Details are in dependent visa in Japan.

Some children come under Long-Term Resident (定住者) instead. ISA lists an unmarried minor biological child supported by a permanent resident, long-term resident or similar holder as one category. See long-term resident visa. If one parent is Japanese, see also Japanese nationality for children.

What is the 60-day rule for babies born in Japan?

A baby born in Japan has not gone through landing at an airport, so the baby has no status at birth. ISA’s acquisition application (在留資格取得許可申請) is for someone who wants to stay more than 60 days from the birth.

There is no fee. A parent, a legal representative or an authorized agent such as a 行政書士 can file. For a child born to a work or student parent, ISA lists the birth certificate as proof for the Dependent acquisition. Step-by-step help on the city office side is in baby born in Japan to foreign parents.

Which status if the child comes from abroad?

A child who is outside Japan can enter on a certificate of eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) that a parent or sponsor in Japan applies for. ISA lists this application type for Dependent and for Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident. A child already in Japan on another status uses a change of status (在留資格変更許可申請).

How do I renew a child’s visa?

The child needs an extension (在留期間更新許可申請) before the period of stay ends. If the child was granted 6 months or more, you can file from 3 months before the expiry date.

If the child is under 16, ISA allows a relative, a cohabitant or an equivalent person that the bureau considers appropriate to file as agent. You need a document proving the relationship, such as a certificate of residence (住民票).

The counter fee is paid with revenue stamps and depends on the period granted. From 1 October 2026 it runs from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000, and a 1-year grant costs ¥33,000, according to ISA. Check the amount for your case with the bureau before you go.

Does my child have to go to school in Japan?

Ministry of Education (文部科学省) policy, in a 2012 notice, says local boards of education should send the parents of foreign children an enrollment guide (就学案内) so the children do not miss the chance to enter compulsory school. Foreign children do not have to be on the school-age register (学齢簿), but boards should keep equivalent records based on the resident register. To check residence, the board uses a residence card.

We did not confirm from that notice whether attendance is compulsory or free for foreign children. Ask your city office’s education section.

What happens when my child finishes high school?

ISA says a person who entered with parents on Dependent and wants to work after high school does not meet the education requirement of the work statuses. They may still qualify to change to Long-Term Resident (定住者) or Designated Activities (特定活動).

ISA lists documents such as a contract or job offer, a guarantee letter, a household certificate of residence issued within 3 months, and graduation certificates. The process is in change of status of residence.

Separately, since 1 April 2022 adulthood in Japan is 18. People 18 or older apply themselves unless they use an authorized agent, and cannot newly enter as an unmarried minor child under Long-Term Resident.

What if I miss the 30-day deadline?

Contact the regional immigration bureau right away. This page found no rule in ISA’s acquisition page about late filing, so it cannot say what the bureau will do. A 行政書士 can help with a late case.

More guides: dependent visa, spouse visa, long-term resident visa, baby born in Japan.