Invite your family to Japan/When a child was born | Kyoto University International Service Office

Short-term visits to Japan by relatives

Visiting relatives should obtain a “Temporary Visitor” visa from the Japanese Embassy/Consulate-General in their home country.
A Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is not required to apply for a “Temporary Visitor” visa.
Visitors from some countries/regions are exempted, and do not need a “Temporary Visitor” visa.

The Ministy of Foreign Affairs of Japan –Guide to Japanese Visas
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Stay for a longer period than is permitted by a “Temporary Visitor” visa

The international student/researcher must go to the immigration services bureau to apply for a “Dependent” Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) on behalf of each family member.
After receiving the CoEs, they must be sent to the family members. The family members must then bring the CoEs, together with the other necessary documents, to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate-General in their country to apply for “Dependent” visas. *Only spouses and children are eligible for “Dependent” status of residence. Parents and siblings are not eligible.

Note: The Kyoto University International Service Office cannot process any proxy CoE applications for international students/researchers who are already in Japan.

Required items

applicant=international student/researcher's spouse or child
supporter=international student/researcher

Application form for the Certificate of Eligibility for Dependent status Excel, PDF Sample
1 ID photo (4 x 3cm, taken within 6 months before application) for each family member
A copy of applicant's passport
A copy of supporter's Residence Card (both sides) or Certificate of Residence
Original or official copies of certificates that indicate the relationship between the supporter and applicant
(e.g.) family registers, marriage licenses, birth certificates, certificate of acceptance of marriage report or its notarial deed
If these certificates are written in a language other than Japanese or English, it is necessary to attach a brief Japanese or English translation.
Official documents that show the supporter's occupation and income (or financial ability to support the dependent family).
- Supporter who has income in Japan : supporter's certificate of employment or tax payment certificate
- Supporter who has no income in Japan :
  supporter's certificate of registration/acceptance and bank balance certificate, scholarship certificate or the document which proves their financial ability.
A self-addressed envelope with simplified registered mail postage attached
(those who wish to have the certificate sent back to them)

Legal Procedures –when a child was born-

Procedures at local city/ward office　(within fourteen days after birth)

Required Procedure	Birth Registration Resident Registration National Health Insurance 1 Discounted Medical Treatment for Children 2 Child Allowance *3
Place to Apply	The City/Ward Office
Items Required	The Mother-Child Health Handbook The birth certificate issued by the hospital The Residence Card of the mother or the father living with the child The passport of the mother or the father living in with the child The personal seal (inkan) of the mother or the father living with the child (A signature may be acceptable as a substitute for the inkan)

*1 National Health Insurance

In cases where the parent is enrolled in Japan’s National Health Insurance

*2 Discounted Medical Treatment for Children

Japanese National/Employee’s Health Insurance subscribers are eligible for discounts on medical expenses for hospitalization and check-ups for children. The qualifying age of the child and the amount of the allowance vary depending on the municipal government concerned.

*3 Child Allowance

Those who have registered their place of residence at the local city/ward office and who are raising children up to high school age are eligible to receive child benefit. Children are eligible for benefit until the first March 31 after they reach 18 years of age.

Acquiring Nationality
(within thirty days after birth)

Please contact your home country’s embassy/consulate in Japan to obtain a passport for the child within thirty days after birth.

Embassies/Consulates in Japan: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/protocol/a-h.html

Acquiring the status of residence of “Dependent”
(within thirty days after birth)

If your child will reside in Japan for more than sixty days after birth,
you are required to apply for the status of residence of “Dependent” for the child at the immigration bureau within thirty days after birth.

Documents Required

Birth certificate (Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Birth)
Copy of the residence certificate listing all members of the household, including the new-born child
Parents’ passports
Parents’ Residence Cards
Application forms
“Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence” Excel, PDF