What Happens to the Mother and Child’s Status of Residence?

When you marry a Japanese national, you can obtain the status of residence as Spouse or Child of a Japanese National, but if the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Services Agency) determines that there is no record of  marriage, they will not renew the status. If you lose contact with your spouse, you will have to consider obtaining other statuses of residence.

So, what are possible new statuses of residence?

1. Permanent resident

A child born to a foreign woman and a Japanese man can choose whether to take Japanese nationality or Spouse or Child of a Japanese National status. The mother of the child can also obtain Permanent Resident status if she has a justifiable reason, such as raising a child.

However, if the man and woman are not married, the father must acknowledge that the child is his.

2. Status of residence for employment

The mother may find a job in Japan and obtain work-related status of residence, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.

3. Designated activities

If you are about to go to court over your divorce or recognition of your child, you may be able to obtain Designated Activities status of residence on the grounds that you are staying for the court case. However, once the trial is over, the period of stay cannot be renewed.

The Immigration Bureau will make the final decision as to whether or not you can obtain such status of residence. Please do not keep it to yourself, but consult with the government (the prefectural social welfare office or city office) or a support group.

Acknowledgment of Paternity for Unmarried Women

What is the nationality (status of residence) of a child born between an unwed foreign woman and a Japanese man? Here, we explain “acknowledgment”, something that affects the child’s nationality and the foreign mother’s status of residence.

How Should I Make a Living?

1. Welfare

Some foreign nationals who are Permanent Residents or a Spouse or Child of a Japanese National  may be eligible to receive welfare in Japan. To receive welfare, consult and apply to the local government (prefectural social welfare office or city office).

2. Mother-child dormitory

Children under the age of 18 and their single mothers, etc. may be placed in mother-child living support facilities (mother-child dormitories). They can receive counseling and assistance to stabilize their lives and to become independent.

Divorce Procedures in Japan 

Here, we present the procedures required to get a divorce while living in Japan. Divorce: Ending a marriage.

Problem #1: “I am unmarried and gave birth to a child with a Japanese partner. What is the child’s nationality?”

There are cases where a foreign woman becomes pregnant with the child of her Japanese partner. What should she do if she gives birth unmarried and the child’s father does not acknowledge the child as his? Here is a case in which the child has obtained Japanese citizenship through support.

Problem #3: “The company is uncooperative in renewing my period of stay.”

‟I am working as a full-time employee in Japan, and my period of stay is about to expire, but the company is not preparing the necessary documents for the extension of my period of stay, and my job tasks are being reduced.” Below is the support offered to problems like this.

Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth in Japan for Foreigners

In Japan, there are various procedures that must be completed when during pregnancy and childbirth.

If you want to know more, check here!

Parenting in Japan~From pregnancy to enrolling in elementary school