When a child of foreign national under the age of 17 resides in Japan with a “Dependent” visa and plans to advance to a university or vocational school after graduating high school, they may continue to stay in Japan with the “Dependent” visa. However, if the parents return to their home country, the child must change their visa status to a “Student” visa.
If a child plans to work in Japan after graduating high school, he/she will be over 18 years old and can no longer reside in Japan under a “Dependent” visa.
Since obtaining a work-related visa such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Care Worker” etc. is difficult, a change to another type of visa must be considered.
Possible alternatives are the “Long-Term Resident” or “Designated Activities” visa categories. Both have strict requirements, and individual circumstances significantly affect the likelihood of approval.
Option1: Change to “Long-Term Resident” (Teijusha Non-Public Notice Type)
The requirements were clarified in Notification No. 357 by the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice on January 20, 2015:
(1) The applicant currently holds a “Dependent” visa.
(2) The application is for a change of status from “Dependent” to
“Long-Term Resident.”
(3) The applicant has completed most of the compulsory education (6 years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high school) in Japan.
(4) The applicant has graduated a Japanese high school.
(5) The applicant has a confirmed job offer from a Japanese company.
If these conditions are met, the applicant is deemed to have “sufficient social integration” in Japan. If there are no significant issues with applicant’s residency conditions, this can be considered a “special reason” under the Immigration Control Act, and approval will be considered in practice. A scheduled high school graduation is also acceptable.
Option2: Change to “Designated Activities” (Tokuteikatsudo Non-Public Notice Type)
Even if the applicant does not meet requirement (3) for the “Long-Term Resident” visa, the following conditions may a llow a change to “Designated Activities”:
(1) The applicant currently holds a “Dependent” visa.
(2) The application is for a change of status from “Dependent”
to “Designated Activities.”
(3) The sponsor (not limited to parents，cohabitation is not required)
remains in Japan as a guarantor.
(4) The applicant has graduated from a Japanese high school.
(5) The applicant has a confirmed job offer from a Japanese company.
If these conditions are met and there are no significant issues with the applicant’s residency conditions, the Minister of Justice may approve the status change under the “Designated Activities” of the Immigration Control Act. in practice, Ａ scheduled high school graduation is also acceptable
When you face any case, please feel free to contact us!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Yokohama Trinity Certified Administrative Procedure Specialist Office
Address: 51 Bizcomfort Aobadai, 3F Aobadai Sankusu Bildg.1-5-4 Aobadai, Aoba-ku, Yokohama -city, Kanagawa Pref.
Phone: 045-507-5689
Email: mail@office-yokohamatrinity.com yokohamatrinity-tk@outlook.jp
Representative: Takahiro Kotani
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