If you are a foreign national living in Japan on a work visa, and you have recently welcomed a newborn child into your family, you will need to apply for a Dependent Visa (家族滞在ビザ) for your child. This process is necessary to ensure that your child has the legal right to reside in Japan. Here’s a detailed guide on how to add your newborn family member to your dependent visa status.
Key Steps for Adding a Newborn to Your Dependent Visa
When a child is born to foreign nationals in Japan, several steps must be taken immediately after birth, including registering the birth and applying for the dependent visa. Below is a breakdown of the steps involved.
Step 1: Register the Birth
The first step is to register the birth of your child at the local city hall within 14 days of birth. This process involves submitting the Birth Notification (出生届) form, which is provided by the hospital.
Required Documents for Birth Registration:
- Birth Notification (出生届) from the hospital.
- Parents’ Passports and Residence Cards (在留カード).
- Parents’ Marriage Certificate (if applicable, translated and notarized).
Once the birth is registered, the city hall will issue an Official Birth Certificate (出生証明書), which will be necessary for the visa application process.
Step 2: Obtain a Passport for the Newborn
Before applying for a dependent visa, you will need to obtain a passport for your newborn. This should be done at your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan. Each country has its own process, so check the embassy’s website for specific instructions and required documents.
Step 3: Apply for the Dependent Visa
Once the passport is issued, you can apply for the dependent visa at the Immigration Bureau of Japan. Since the child is born in Japan and does not yet have a residency status, you will need to submit an Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence (在留資格取得許可申請書).
Documents Required for Dependent Visa Application for a Newborn:
- Passport of the newborn.
- Resident Card (在留カード) of the parents.
- Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence (在留資格取得許可申請書).
- Proof of Financial Support, such as a Certificate of Employment or recent Tax Statements (to demonstrate the parent’s ability to support the dependent).
- Official Birth Certificate (出生証明書) of the newborn (translated into Japanese, if not issued in Japanese).
Step 4: Health Insurance Registration
After obtaining the visa, you must register your newborn for Japan’s National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) or enroll them under your employer-provided health insurance. This can also be done at the city hall where you registered the birth.
Important Considerations
1. Timely Application
You are required to apply for a visa for your newborn within 30 days after birth. Failing to do so may result in complications with your child’s legal residency status.
2. Financial Requirements
It is important to demonstrate that you can financially support your child while living in Japan. Immigration authorities will evaluate the family’s financial stability, so having recent pay slips or a Certificate of Employment (在職証明書) will be critical.
3. Visa Duration
The duration of your child’s dependent visa will usually match the duration of your own residence visa. You will need to renew the dependent visa when you renew your own visa.
4. Work Restrictions
Children on a dependent visa cannot work in Japan, but this will not apply to a newborn. If a dependent child grows up and wishes to work part-time while in Japan, they will need to apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (資格外活動許可).
What If You’re Already Applying for a Work Visa?
If you are still in the process of applying for your work visa and your child is born during that time, you can simultaneously apply for a dependent visa for your newborn. This can help simplify the process and ensure that your entire family has the necessary legal status for residency.
Need Expert Help?
Managing both your own visa and your newborn’s dependent visa can be a complex process. At Tanabe Immigration Office, we specialize in fast, accurate visa applications for families. Let us handle the paperwork and guide you through the process with ease.
Contact us today for professional assistance with your dependent visa application!
