If you wish to bring your parents to Japan, please note that the residence status previously known as "Specified Activity (Support of Elderly Parents)" has been abolished. Currently, bringing parents to Japan on a long-term basis requires meeting specific conditions established by the Ministry of Justice.

The "Specified Activity (Support of Elderly Parents)" Visa Has Been Abolished

The residence status ("Specified Activity – Support of Elderly Parents") that was designed to allow foreign nationals to bring their elderly parents to Japan for support purposes is no longer available. Unlike bringing a spouse or child to Japan, there is no general visa that permits parents to be brought to Japan solely for the purpose of living together long-term. Your options are: having your parents visit on a Short-Term Stay (tourism, etc.) visa, qualifying under one of the conditional programs described below, or exploring whether your parents can independently obtain their own residence status (e.g., Business Manager, Skills, etc.).

Main Cases Where Bringing a Parent to Japan Is Currently Permitted (Based on Ministry of Justice Information)

According to information published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the following situations may allow a parent to enter and reside in Japan.

1. Parents of Highly Skilled Professionals / Exceptionally Skilled Professionals (J-Skip) — for Childcare or Support During Pregnancy

If you hold a residence status as a Highly Skilled Professional or an Exceptionally Skilled Professional (J-Skip), it may be possible to bring your parent (or your spouse's parent) to Japan under the "Specified Activity" residence status.

  • Purpose: Limited to one of the following:
    · Caring for a child under 7 years of age of the Highly Skilled Professional foreign national (or their spouse)
    · Providing care, housekeeping, or other necessary support for the pregnant spouse of a Highly Skilled Professional, or for the Highly Skilled Professional themselves if pregnant
  • Key requirements (examples): Household annual income (expected) of ¥8,000,000 or more; the parent must reside with the Highly Skilled Professional (or their spouse), among other conditions

※ For detailed requirements and required documents, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency's page below.
Residence Status "Specified Activity" (Parent of a Highly Skilled Professional or their spouse / Parent of an Exceptionally Skilled Professional or their spouse) | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

2. Parents of Those Engaged in Designated Research Activities / Designated Information Processing Activities (as Accompanying Family Members)

If you hold a residence status for Designated Research Activities or Designated Information Processing Activities, your parent (or your spouse's parent) may be permitted to reside in Japan under "Specified Activity."

  • Who qualifies as a parent: The father or mother of the sponsor (the person engaged in Designated Research or Designated Information Processing Activities), or the father or mother of the sponsor's spouse
  • Key requirements (examples):
    · Must reside with and be financially supported by the sponsor
    · Must have previously resided with and been supported by the sponsor abroad
    · Must relocate to Japan together with the sponsor (the prerequisite is relocating at the same time)

※ "Designated Research Activities" and "Designated Information Processing Activities" refer to research or information processing work conducted at institutions designated by the Minister of Justice. For details, please see the Immigration Services Agency's page below.
Specified Activity (Parent of a Person Engaged in Designated Research Activities, etc. / Family of a Person Engaged in Designated Research Activities, etc.) | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Other Options

Period of Stay

The period of stay varies depending on the residence status and permission granted. Please check the relevant pages of the Ministry of Justice or the details stated in your permission document.