The Most Detailed Guide to Sponsoring Relatives to Japan

Japan is an ideal destination for many Vietnamese people to live, work and study. Therefore, the need to sponsor relatives to come to Japan is increasing. However, this process requires many procedures and certain conditions. This article will help you understand the procedures for sponsoring relatives to come to Japan, types of visas, implementation processes and important notes to help relatives come to Japan in the most convenient way.

Conditions for sponsoring relatives to Japan

Not everyone can sponsor relatives to come to Japan, but must meet specific conditions set by the Japanese government. To have your sponsorship application approved, you must satisfy the requirements regarding family relationships, residency status, and purpose of entry.

Who has the right to sponsor relatives to come to Japan?

The following subjects can sponsor relatives to come to Japan:

• People with legal long-term visas in Japan such as engineers, interns, international students, skilled workers, people with permanent or permanent resident visas.
• People with stable income, able to financially support the sponsored person.
• No previous criminal record or violation of Japanese law.

Conditions for the sponsored person

People in the following family relationship groups can apply for a visa to Japan under sponsorship:

• Biological parents, parents-in-law of people living, working or studying in Japan.
• Legal spouse (with recognized marriage certificate).
• Biological or legally adopted child (with valid birth certificate or child custody certificate).
• Siblings of the guarantor.

More distant relatives (such as aunts, uncles, etc.) are usually not eligible for this visa, except in special cases considered separately by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

People who want to be sponsored to go to Japan need to meet some basic requirements, including:

• Possess a valid passport: Passport must be valid and meet entry and exit requirements according to the regulations of the host country.
• Clear purpose of entry: The sponsored person must commit to using the visa for the correct purpose, that is, to come to Japan to visit relatives, live with family or reunite legally.
• Appropriate residency status: The type of visa applied for must comply with the provisions of the Immigration Control Law of Japan. The sponsored person must ensure compliance with the granted period of stay and not violate labor regulations if the visa does not allow work.

What are the types of visas to sponsor relatives to Japan?

Depending on the purpose of entry and length of stay, visas to sponsor relatives to Japan are divided into two main types: Visa to visit relatives , and Family reunion visaEach type has different approval conditions and application process.

Family visit visa (Short-term visa – 短期滞在ビザ)

• Validity period: 3 months from date of issue.
• Length of stay: Maximum 90 days (can apply for 15, 30 or 90 days depending on the application).

A visitor visa is for relatives who want to come to Japan for a short time to visit family members who are studying, working or settling in Japan. This type of visa does not allow work and is only applicable to those who have a close relationship with the sponsor, including:

• Biological parents, parents-in-law.
• Legal spouse.
• Biological or legally adopted child.

Reunification Visa (Long-term Visa – 家族滞在ビザ)

• Validity period: From 1 to 5 years depending on the sponsor's residency status.
• Length of stay: Equivalent to the duration of the visa granted (can be extended if continuing to qualify).

Family reunion visas are for relatives of foreign nationals who are living permanently in Japan. This type of visa allows the sponsor's spouse and children to live in Japan and can be renewed multiple times.

Procedures for sponsoring relatives to Japan

To carry out the procedure of sponsoring a wife to Japan or other relatives for the purpose of visiting relatives, the sponsor needs to prepare a complete set of documents. 

For family visit visa

Procedures for guarantors in Japan

The guarantor is a person who is legally living, working or studying in Japan. To sponsor a relative to visit, you need to prepare:

• Invitation letter: Clearly state the reason for inviting relatives to Japan and commit to financial guarantee during the stay.
• Financial guarantee letter: If the relative cannot prove their own finances, the sponsor needs to confirm their ability to pay for living expenses.
• Copy of residence card: Proof of legal residence status in Japan.
• Certificate of residence in Japan: Apply at the city hall where you live.
  Income statement or tax payment certificate: Proof of sufficient income to sponsor.
• Certificate of Guarantee
• Bản sao hộ chiếu
• Japanese Visa

Procedures for sponsored persons in Vietnam

The sponsored person in Vietnam needs to prepare documents to submit to the Embassy/Consulate General of Japan in Vietnam:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Japanese visa application form (according to the Embassy's prescribed form).
• 4.5cm × 4.5cm ID photo (taken within the last 6 months).
• Documents proving relationship with sponsor (birth certificate, family register, marriage certificate, etc.).
• Proof of financial means (if self-funding the trip).
• Trip itinerary to Japan

For family reunion visa

Procedures for guarantors in Japan

The sponsor needs to prove the ability to sponsor relatives to live in Japan permanently:

• Certificate of Eligibility: Apply at the Japanese Immigration Bureau before submitting your visa application.
• Copy of sponsor's residence card and passport.
• Certificate of residence in Japan.
• Employment contract or employment confirmation letter.
• Certificate of income and tax payment.
• Marriage certificate (if sponsoring spouse) or child's birth certificate (if sponsoring child).

Procedures for sponsored persons in Vietnam

After receiving the COE from the sponsor, the sponsored person needs to prepare the visa application:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Japan visa application form (according to form).
• ID photo 4.5cm × 4.5cm.
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (original and copy).
• Documents proving relationship with sponsor (marriage certificate, birth certificate…).
• Trip itinerary to Japan

Steps to sponsor family members to Japan

The process of sponsoring relatives to Japan includes many important steps, from preparing documents, submitting visa applications to receiving results. Below are detailed instructions to help you complete the necessary procedures correctly and completely.

• Prepare complete documents: The sponsor needs to collect the necessary documents as required by each type of visa.
• Submit application at the Japanese Embassy or Japanese Consulate in Vietnam: The sponsored person brings all documents to submit at the Japanese consulate.
• Waiting for application approval: The review time can take from 5 to 15 working days, depending on each case.
• Get visa results: If the application is valid, the sponsored person will receive a visa and can go to Japan within the prescribed time.

Notes when sponsoring relatives to Japan

To ensure the sponsorship process goes smoothly, you need to pay attention to some important regulations regarding approval conditions, application processing time and factors that may affect the visa application result.

• For family visit visa, the sponsored person needs to have a detailed schedule to increase the chance of approval.
• Family reunion visa Requires proof of financial stability to ensure the sponsored person can live stably in Japan.
• If you have ever violated the law in Japan or have a history of bad debt, your chances of getting a visa will be lower.
• Documents must be truthful and avoid falsifying documents as this may result in permanent ban on entry.
• With Procedures for sponsoring wife to Japan, need to prove legal marriage relationship to avoid being suspected of fake marriage.

Sponsor relatives to Japan is a process that requires careful preparation of documents and full compliance with the conditions prescribed by the Japanese government. Depending on each case, you can apply for a family visit visa or a family reunion visa to help your relatives come to Japan to live and work legally. Hopefully this article has provided enough information to help you understand clearly. Procedures for sponsoring relatives to Japan and prepare documents in the most convenient way.

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