You filed for permanent residence a few months ago. Your baby has now been born in Japan, and immigration still hasn’t made a decision. Should you wait for your own result before filing for the baby? Start with the baby’s date of birth. That date sets the baby’s deadlines.
If a baby born in Japan without Japanese nationality will stay for more than 60 days, file a separate application for the baby’s status of residence within 30 days of birth. Also report the birth to the immigration office handling the parent’s pending permanent residence application.
What the 14-, 30- and 60-day deadlines mean
| Time after birth | What to do and where |
|---|---|
| Within 14 days | Register the birth at the municipal office and ask how to obtain proof that it accepted the notification. |
| Within 30 days | Apply to immigration for the baby’s status of residence if the baby will stay in Japan for more than 60 days. |
| 60 days | The statutory period a baby may stay in Japan after birth without a status of residence. |
Immigration asks for proof of birth, so it usually makes sense to register the birth first. Once the municipal office has accepted the notification, obtain proof of acceptance and check the remaining requirements with the immigration office responsible for the baby’s address.
If you filed within 30 days and still have no decision as the 60-day mark approaches, call the office handling the baby’s application and have the receipt number ready. The special period that can apply to an extension of an existing status does not apply to a newborn’s application to acquire status.
When did the parent actually become a permanent resident?
Neither parent had permanent residence at the birth
Say the father has Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status and will support the child. In that situation, Dependent status is one route to check. Along with the birth record, review the sponsoring parent’s residence card and employment and income documents. The parent sponsoring the baby may be different from the parent who filed for permanent residence.
One parent became a permanent resident before the birth
If the baby was born in Japan and will continue living here, ask which application fits: permanent residence on the basis of birth, or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status. A parent’s permanent residence takes effect when immigration issues the new residence card. Use that date to check whether the parent held permanent residence when the baby was born, even if a postcard arrived earlier.
The parent became a permanent resident after the birth
Suppose the sponsoring parent gets permanent residence after you have already filed the baby’s Dependent application. If that application is still pending, contact the office that accepted it. Give the baby’s date of birth and receipt number, the date the parent received the new residence card, and the other parent’s current status. Ask whether to supplement the pending application or review the status the baby is applying for.
If the baby already has a residence card, give immigration the baby’s current status and expiry date as well. The child category under Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident covers children born in Japan to a permanent resident who continue to live in Japan. If the parent acquired permanent residence after the birth, explain that timeline and ask which procedure applies to the child now.
What if the baby’s passport isn’t ready?
If you are unsure the passport will arrive within 30 days, contact immigration while it is still being processed. Give the birth date, the status of the municipal birth notification, and when you applied for the passport or expect to receive it. Ask whether you can file with an explanation and when the office needs to see the passport.
If more than 30 days have passed and you haven’t filed for the baby, contact immigration promptly. Explain the date of birth, why the application was not filed by the deadline, and which documents you already have.
Report the birth to the office handling the parent’s PR case
The written acknowledgment for permanent residence asks applicants to promptly report changes in their family circumstances. Give the office the parent’s PR application number and the baby’s birth date. Ask whether it wants the municipal birth record, an updated household residence record or any other documents. Keep the parent’s and baby’s receipts separate so you can give the right reference number when you call.
Official sources consultedFor details, check the latest guidance from the relevant authority.
Need help filing for your baby’s status in Japan?
When you contact us, have your baby’s date of birth, both parents’ current residence statuses and any immigration receipt numbers on hand.
