Can a “Child of a Japanese National” Born Overseas Change Status from Student to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”?

In conclusion, if it can be confirmed that either your father or mother held Japanese nationality at the time of your birth, and you yourself currently do not hold Japanese nationality (i.e., you are a foreign national), there is a possibility that you may change your status of residence to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” (category: Person Born as a Child of a Japanese National).

As publicly stated by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” applies not only to spouses of Japanese nationals, but also to persons who were born as children of Japanese nationals. Therefore, if you meet the requirements, this status may be considered as a route to transition from your current “Student” status to one that better suits your future life plans in Japan.

1. Who Is Eligible? (“Born as a Child of a Japanese National”)

The status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” applies to spouses of Japanese nationals, special adopted children, and persons born as children of Japanese nationals. In this consultation, the key point is whether you fall under the category of “person born as a child of a Japanese national.”

Typical cases include individuals whose father or mother held Japanese nationality at the time of birth, but who, due to various circumstances, did not acquire Japanese nationality (or currently hold foreign nationality). The first step is to confirm, through family registers and certificates, whether the parent was Japanese at the time of birth and whether the parent-child relationship (biological child, acknowledgment, etc.) was legally established.

2. Procedure for Changing Status from Student (Application for Change of Status of Residence)

If you are already residing in Japan and hold a residence card, the general procedure is to apply for an “Application for Change of Status of Residence” to switch from “Student” to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” The basic framework of the application follows the Immigration Services Agency’s procedural guidance.

In this procedure, it is not sufficient to simply submit the application form. The core requirement is to objectively demonstrate the blood relationship and legal status with your Japanese parent through documentary evidence. Compared to typical changes to work-related statuses, this process often involves more extensive documentation built around family registers.

3. How to Think About Required Documents (Proof of Blood Relationship and Legal Status)

Immigration authorities trace the parent-child relationship through official records such as family registers and check for consistency. The official guidance also lists required documents, including a Letter of Guarantee. In cases of overseas birth, it is particularly important to organize “which document proves what,” including birth certificates and notification histories.

• Family register of the Japanese parent: Starting point for confirming Japanese nationality and parent-child relationship
• Birth-related certificates: Overseas birth certificate, certificate of acceptance of birth notification, etc. (combination depends on the case)
• (If necessary) Documents related to acknowledgment: Certificate of acceptance of acknowledgment, etc.
• Identity documents of the applicant: Passport, residence card, certificate of residence, etc.
• Documents showing means of living and support: Academic status, income and savings, tax and payment records of supporters

The specific documents required vary depending on how the parent-child relationship was established (circumstances at birth, whether notifications were filed, acknowledgment, etc.). If this is handled incorrectly, requests for additional documents may increase and prolong the procedure. Therefore, conducting an initial inventory of family register and birth-related documents is the most efficient approach.

[Support for Change to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” | Born as a Child of a Japanese National]
Even if overseas birth makes document linkage unclear, or if you are concerned about arranging a guarantor, we can organize and prepare the application according to your specific situation.

Email Consultation　 03-6905-6371
Service Details and Fees (Application Support for Spouse or Child of Japanese National – Child Category)

4. Who Can Act as a Guarantor? (Principle: A Japanese Relative Residing in Japan)

In principle, applications for this status of residence require the appointment of a guarantor and the submission of a Letter of Guarantee. According to the Immigration Services Agency’s guidance, the guarantor is generally expected to be “a Japanese national residing in Japan (such as the applicant’s parent or adoptive parent)”.

Therefore, if your Japanese parent resides overseas and is not living in Japan, it is advisable to confirm at an early stage whether a Japanese relative living in Japan (such as a grandparent, uncle, or aunt) can act as your guarantor. Many applicants worry that they are “not close enough to relatives to ask,” but since this status of residence is based on a blood relationship, having a relative serve as the guarantor generally makes the explanation more consistent and easier to understand during examination from a practical standpoint.

5. Key Examination Points and Important Notes

Applications as a “child of a Japanese national” are examined differently from work-related statuses, and the following points tend to be given particular weight.

1. Whether the parent held Japanese nationality (can the situation at the time of birth be explained consistently)
2. Establishment of the parent-child relationship (whether the legal relationship, such as biological child or acknowledgment, can be proven with official documents)
3. Stability of life in Japan (academic status, future life plans, and support system)
4. Consistency of submitted documents (whether family registers, certificates, and application forms are free from contradictions)

In addition, applications based on blood relationships tend to involve a large volume of documentation, and insufficient explanations may result in requests for additional submissions, prolonging the process. To avoid unnecessary doubts, it is important to prepare family registers, birth certificates, and explanatory statements as a complete set.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

The status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” has very few work restrictions, allowing employment, job changes, and part-time work without limitation. For this reason, it is one of the statuses that makes it easier to plan a stable life in Japan. Compared to a Student status, it generally allows for more secure, long-term residence planning.

However, this status does not grant indefinite residence once obtained, and renewal of the period of stay is required at regular intervals. At the time of renewal, the applicant’s status as a child of a Japanese national and their living conditions in Japan will continue to be reviewed.

If you are considering “living in Japan long-term” or “eventually applying for permanent residence,” it is important to take a mid- to long-term perspective by maintaining this status, stabilizing your residence record, and gradually considering a permanent residence application.

According to Immigration guidance, the guarantor for an application for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” is generally assumed to be a Japanese national residing in Japan (such as a parent or adoptive parent). Therefore, the most straightforward arrangement is usually for a Japanese father or mother to act as the guarantor.

That said, it is not uncommon for Japanese parents to reside overseas and not live in Japan. In such cases, it may be possible to ask a Japanese relative living in Japan, such as a grandparent, uncle, or aunt, to serve as the guarantor.

While coordination may be difficult depending on family relationships and circumstances, since this status of residence is based on blood ties, having a Japanese relative residing in Japan act as the guarantor is generally easier for Immigration to understand and allows for more consistent explanations during examination. Selecting an appropriate guarantor should be done carefully, taking individual circumstances into account.

For those born overseas, the required documentation may seem complex, but the basic starting point is to confirm the family register of the Japanese parent and the documents related to birth.

By reviewing the parent’s family register to confirm Japanese nationality and the parent-child relationship, and then determining how overseas birth certificates or certificates of acceptance of birth notification connect to it, you can organize the documentation framework. Once these relationships are clarified, it becomes much easier to see “which documents are missing” and “what needs to be obtained additionally.”

Since overseas documents vary in format depending on the country or region, if you feel unsure whether “this document is sufficient” or find it difficult to understand how it connects to the family register, consulting a professional at an early stage and organizing the overall documentation before proceeding with the application can provide peace of mind.

7. When in Doubt, Consult a Professional (Support from ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office)

In cases where a person born overseas as a child of a Japanese national is considering a change of status to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” it is necessary to provide a consistent explanation of the circumstances at birth, family register entries, and how the parent-child relationship was established using multiple official documents. As a result, many applicants feel that while they “seem to meet the requirements,” they are unsure where to begin.

In particular, for overseas births, the way in which Japanese family registers are connected to overseas birth certificates can significantly affect the required documents and the content of explanations. If an application is submitted without sufficient organization at this stage, it may lead to requests for additional documents or prolonged examination periods.

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, we provide practical support for cases involving children of Japanese nationals born overseas who are seeking the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” including analyzing family registers and birth documents, organizing required documents, and preparing written explanations of circumstances, all based on Immigration’s examination perspective. It is perfectly fine to consult us even at an early stage where “you are not yet sure which documents should be used to prove the blood relationship.”

If you are aiming to build a stable life in Japan in the future, organizing the overall picture early and selecting procedures suited to your individual circumstances can provide reassurance and clarity.

[Born as a Child of a Japanese National | Support for Change to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”]
Even if overseas birth makes document linkage unclear, or if you are concerned about arranging a guarantor, we can organize and prepare your application according to your specific situation.

Email Consultation　 03-6905-6371
Service Details and Fees (Application Support for Spouse or Child of Japanese National – Child Category)

8. Support System of ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office

A spouse visa application is not only about collecting documents. It is essential to proactively align the entire set of materials by anticipating the points Immigration is likely to check.
From the initial planning stage, our office identifies potential risk factors and provides end-to-end support—covering submission order, supporting documents, and the overall strategy for the Statement of Reasons.

Nationwide support: Managed mainly via email and online. Clients outside the area receive the same quality of support.

Multilingual support: Consultations available in English and Chinese.

Clear progress tracking: Check application status and required documents through an online system.

Support for difficult cases: Extensive experience with cases likely to face closer scrutiny, including re-applications after denial.

Transparent fees: Clear fee structure designed to minimize unexpected additional charges.

Support even after a denial: If denied, we provide a free re-application and thorough support until approval.

Information security: We properly manage personal information under operations based on ISO27001.

Pages Often Read Together When Applying for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains the requirements for obtaining a spouse visa (marriage), working under a spouse visa, applying for permanent residency from a spouse visa, what happens in the event of divorce under a spouse visa, required documents, and more.

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National Renewal Procedures Guide

Renewal procedures for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa). An administrative scrivener explains the required document checklist, how to avoid denial cases, and key points to prove eligibility for obtaining a 3-year or 5-year period of stay.

Applying for Permanent Residency from a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

At ACROSEED, we have a proven track record not only with first-time spouse visa applications, but also with cases that were denied multiple times when filed by the applicant alone, as well as procedures for those with past legal violations or a history of overstaying—across a wide variety of situations.

For More Detailed Questions About the Spouse Visa System

Please explain the requirements for obtaining a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National in detail
Periods of stay for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Differences between 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years
Required documents & Statement of Reasons for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Key examination points and preparation tips (Latest Edition)
How to invite a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan with a COE
Can we apply for a Certificate of Eligibility while both spouses remain overseas?
Changing from a short-term visa to a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: General rules and exceptions
How to change from a student/work visa to a spouse visa
My spouse visa application was denied (COE not issued). Can I re-apply?