Eligibility quiz
Does one of your biological parents support you financially?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Live in Japan
You can live in Japan for the period shown on your residence card.
The period is generally 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months, or an individually set period of no more than 5 years.
Your stay is temporary but renewable, not a right to live in Japan indefinitely.
Study in Japan
Your residence status does not restrict ordinary study.
It does not guarantee admission to a school.
Work in Japan
Holders can work without immigration restrictions on their occupation or working hours.
They can change jobs or work for themselves, while following the laws that apply to their work.
Travel and return
You can leave Japan and return with permission and a valid passport.
Special permission normally allows you to return within one year, or before your stay expires if that is sooner.
Ordinary permission can last up to five years, but not beyond your current period of stay.
If you cannot get a passport because you are stateless or for another accepted reason, Japan can issue a document for your return.
Use public healthcare
Residents staying over three months must have the appropriate public health insurance.
Employees at covered workplaces generally use their workplace plan, while others under 75 normally use National Health Insurance.
People aged 75 or older use the medical-care system for that age group.
How to apply
From outside JapanFrom outside Japan
Find the immigration office
Ask your parent or another permitted representative to find the immigration office responsible for their address in Japan.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Japan immigration office handles a Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility application for a relative living in your city?”
Download the application form
Your parent or representative should download the Certificate of Eligibility application form for your Long-Term Resident application.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility application form?”
Gather your documents
You and your parent or representative should prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsFill in the form
You and your parent or representative should complete the application form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in a Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility application for a child?”
Submit your application
Your parent or another eligible representative should register for the Online Residence Application System, upload the completed form, photo and documents, and submit your application. Your parent or a permitted representative can instead hand in a paper application at the immigration office in Japan.
Apply for the certificateSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility application through the Online Residence Application System?”
Wait for the decision
Your parent or representative should follow the application in the online system and respond to any requests from the immigration office.
Check application progressSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the progress of a Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility application?”
Receive the certificate
Once your application is approved, your parent or representative should receive your Certificate of Eligibility and complete the required receipt registration if it arrives by email.
Find receipt instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive and register receipt of a Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility sent by email?”
Send your certificate
Ask your parent or representative to send you the Certificate of Eligibility for your visa application.
Find certificate guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I send a Japan Long-Term Resident Certificate of Eligibility to a child abroad for a visa application?”
Find your consulate
Find the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Japanese consulate serves your city for a Long-Term Resident visa application?”
Apply for your visa
Apply for your visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate and present your Certificate of Eligibility.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Japan Long-Term Resident visa with a Certificate of Eligibility at the Japanese consulate serving your city?”
Enter Japan
Enter Japan before your 18th birthday and present your passport, visa and Certificate of Eligibility on arrival. Immigration will give you permission to enter and issue a residence card where applicable.
Find entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Japan with a Long-Term Resident visa and Certificate of Eligibility?”
Once in JapanOnce in Japan
Register your address
Register your address at the town hall within 14 days of establishing your home in Japan. You can then keep your address record current by reporting later moves within 14 days.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I register my address as a Japan Long-Term Resident in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate if it was issued outside Japan. If needed to show your family ties, add your parent's or grandparent's birth record and any relevant death record.
Marriage certificates *
Get the relevant marriage certificate for your parent or grandparent from the office that issued it. Include equivalent family-status records if those are used to show the relationship.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to show your family ties or your parent's relationship.
May need translationParent's family register *
Get your Japanese parent's full family register showing your parent-child relationship. Your parent can obtain it from the relevant municipal office in Japan.
* Only if the parent supporting you is a Japanese citizen.
Parent's residence record *
Get your parent's residence certificate from the municipality where they are registered. It must show everyone in the household, omit My Number and keep the other fields.
* Only if the parent supporting you lives in Japan.
Family identity records *
Provide official records showing the identity of your parent or grandparent, as requested. These can include a passport, death certificate, driving licence, national identity card, military certificate or voter card.
* Only if you rely on a Japanese family line and the checklist asks for these records.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Address and personal details
You must register your address at the municipal office, generally within 14 days after settling there, and report a move.
You must also report changes to your name, nationality, sex or date of birth under the notification rules.
You may need to report changes to your employer, another organisation you are connected with, or your marital status.
Failing to make required notifications may affect renewal.
Residence card carrying
Holders aged 16 or older must carry their residence card.
Becoming Japanese
This residence status ends if you become a Japanese citizen.
Cancellation and removal
Your status can be cancelled or withdrawn, and serious criminal or immigration violations can lead to removal.
False information, missed notifications, a long absence or unpaid public charges may also jeopardise renewal.
So may failure to meet the relevant basis for your stay, where that applies.
Expiry and renewal
You must apply to renew before your stay expires.
You can generally apply from three months before expiry, but renewal is not automatic.
Your status ends if your stay expires without renewal or another lawful status, and staying without permission can lead to removal.
Your residence, activities, notifications, taxes and other circumstances can affect the decision.
Leaving without permission
Your status and period of stay end if you leave Japan without permission to return.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
For Foreigners Living In Japan
English Facebook group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Join on Facebookr/movingtojapan
English Reddit group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Join on RedditMoving to Japan
English Facebook group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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