VISA Information
Visa Q&A List - VISA Information
I Want My Parent to Live With Me in Japan
I have been working in Japan on a working visa for eight years. As my mother in my home country is getting older, I want her to live with me in Japan so I can take care of her. My father has already passed away. Please advise me about what visa is appropriate for my mother.
There is a visa called “Designated Activity Visa” for foreign parents who will come to live with their children in Japan. However, those who can enter Japan on this visa are limited mainly to those foreign parents who will move to Japan to stay with their children who are granted a Designated Activity Visa as a “Specific Researcher” or a “Specific Data Processer.”
In your case, you do not fit the requirements since you have already been living in Japan for eight years. Therefore, the present law has no regulation to provide you with a visa for your mother. However, there is a possibility that your mother may be permitted to apply for a Designated Activity Visa after she comes to Japan on a short-stay visa depending on special unavoidable circumstances.
As for special unavoidable circumstances, your mother’s age, health, whether or not she has a caregiver at home and so on will be taken into account. As it is very important for you to adequately explain these points, we advise you to consult with a specialist.
Advisor: KUROKAWA Koji (Immigration Lawyer)
