Introduction
More and more foreign nationals are asking whether they can stay in Japan to take care of a sick family member who lives here.
However, within the immigration categories defined by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, it is not always obvious under which status of residence “family caregiving” can be permitted as a main purpose of stay.
This article focuses on the status of residence “Designated Activities” and explains when it may be allowed for the purpose of taking care of a sick family member in Japan, while also touching on the relationship with other relevant statuses of residence.
What is “Designated Activities”?
The Immigration Services Agency defines “Designated Activities” as activities “specially designated for each foreign national by the Minister of Justice,” and positions it as a status of residence that covers cases which do not fall under any of the existing categories.
Typical examples include domestic servants of diplomats, participants in working holiday schemes, and nurse or certified care worker candidates under Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), and the period of stay is designated individually within a general framework such as five years, three years, one year, six months, or three months.
“Designated Activities” is subdivided into many detailed types, often referred to as “Designated Activities No. XX,” including domestic servants, companions for medical stay, parents of highly skilled professionals, and so on.
If a foreign national wishes to stay in Japan to take care of a sick family member and none of the existing categories clearly apply, an individual designation as “Designated Activities” may be considered, but it is always subject to case-by-case examination and is not guaranteed.
Main statuses considered for family caregiving
When a person wishes to come to Japan to take care of a sick relative, it is important not to look only at “Designated Activities,” but first to examine how this relates to existing statuses of residence.
The following statuses are typically considered.
- “Temporary Visitor”
This status is designed for short-term stays such as tourism and visiting relatives, with a maximum stay of 90 days.
It can be used for short-term visits to attend a sick family member or accompany them for treatment, but it is generally not suitable for long-term caregiving. - “Dependent”
This status is for the spouse and children who are financially supported by a foreign national holding a working visa or “Student,” allowing them to live a normal family life in Japan.
The official list of statuses of residence states that it applies to the daily activities of spouses and children supported by those who hold statuses such as “Professor,” “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” “Nursing Care,” or “Specified Skilled Worker (ii),” but it does not cover siblings whose main purpose is caregiving for parents. - “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident,” and “Long-Term Resident”
These are statuses based on personal status or position, allowing a wide range of activities including family caregiving, but their requirements are strictly defined and are not granted solely because caregiving is needed.
If none of these apply, but there is a strong human or humanitarian reason to allow the stay, an individual designation under “Designated Activities” may be considered.
Typical patterns for caregiving under “Designated Activities”
Official information from the Ministry of Justice does not list a clearly named category of “Designated Activities” specifically for “family caregiving for a sick relative.”
However, based on the relationship with other notified categories and practical operation, the following points are helpful.
- Similarities with categories for domestic servants and parents of highly skilled professionals
For highly skilled professionals and certain highly talented foreign nationals, there are “Designated Activities” categories allowing domestic servants or the parents of the foreign national when the spouse is unable to engage in daily housework due to illness, etc.
These are limited to highly skilled professionals, but they share a similar concept with caregiving cases in that a third party or family member is allowed to enter Japan because the main family member cannot manage daily life due to illness. - Categories specifying “assistance with daily life”
Some notified “Designated Activities” categories refer to “activities to provide support in daily life for a person residing in Japan (excluding activities to operate a business for remuneration or to engage in activities for which remuneration is paid),” and in practice, long-term accompaniment and caregiving for relatives who are hospitalized or severely disabled may be considered under such wording.
In these cases, it is essential to provide concrete proof—such as a medical certificate—that continuous caregiving or accompaniment is necessary, and to explain carefully that there is no one else who can provide such support. - Difference from “Medical Stay” categories
The “Medical Stay” categories under “Designated Activities” are designed mainly for foreigners coming to Japan for medical treatment, often for relatively short periods, and cover both the patient and their accompanying person.
When the person in need of care is a Japanese national or a permanent resident already living in Japan, and a relative intends to come from abroad to provide care, the case is examined separately from “Medical Stay,” and the appropriate “Designated Activities” category must be confirmed with the regional immigration services bureau.
Key factors affecting permission
Long-term stays in Japan for caregiving under “Designated Activities” are more a matter of individual operation within the framework of existing notified categories than of a clearly defined legal label.
Therefore, the following factors and how thoroughly they are proven will greatly affect the outcome.
- Medical condition of the family member and required care
Whether continuous care or accompaniment is necessary must be demonstrated through objective documents such as a medical certificate, instructions on nursing or caregiving, and information on the expected duration of the condition.
The appropriate status of residence and period of stay differ depending on whether the need is for short-term accompaniment for surgery or for ongoing assistance in almost all aspects of daily life. - Status in Japan and availability of other caregivers
It is relevant whether the person receiving care is a Japanese national, a permanent resident, or a foreign national with another status of residence.
The presence of other relatives in Japan—such as a spouse, adult children, or siblings—and the extent to which public nursing care insurance and home-visit care services are already being used are also key factors in assessing necessity. - Relationship with the caregiver and living arrangements
The immigration authorities examine the family relationship between the caregiver and the person in need of care (child, sibling, grandchild, etc.) and the history of cohabitation or support.
They also consider who will bear living expenses during the stay in Japan, the caregiver’s employment and residence situation in their home country, and whether a long stay in Japan is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances. - Why other statuses or “Temporary Visitor” are insufficient
It is necessary to explain concretely in a statement of reasons why a short-term stay under “Temporary Visitor” or other existing statuses such as “Dependent” is not enough.
For example, one may need to explain that “hospitalization exceeding three months is expected and no other relative can provide care,” thereby demonstrating the necessity of an individual designation under “Designated Activities.”
Application procedure and documents
A foreign national wishing to stay in Japan to care for a sick family member under “Designated Activities” will usually need to apply either for a Certificate of Eligibility or for a change of status of residence.
The Immigration Services Agency provides official forms and lists of required documents for each status, and “Designated Activities” uses its own designated forms submitted to the regional immigration services bureau.
Examples of documents that may be required include the following, although details will vary depending on the case.
- Common documents
- Documents related to caregiving needs and family relationship
- Medical certificate describing the illness, the need for care or accompanying, and the expected duration
- Resident record or family register of the person receiving care in Japan
- Documents proving the family relationship, such as family registers and birth certificates
- Documents on living expenses and caregiving arrangements
- Proof of income or balance certificates from the person who will cover living expenses
- Documents explaining the use of public nursing care services or other support, if applicable
Because the detailed documentation and description required for “Designated Activities” are highly case-specific, it is advisable to check directly with the regional immigration services bureau or consult a specialist such as a gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener).
Conclusion
There is no clearly defined “family caregiver visa” in Japanese immigration law, so long-term stays in Japan for caregiving are examined within the framework of existing categories such as “Temporary Visitor” and “Dependent,” and, where necessary, through individual designation under “Designated Activities.”
In seeking permission, it is crucial to provide detailed evidence of caregiving needs, including medical certificates, information on the family situation in Japan, the availability of other caregivers, and financial arrangements, and to explain specifically why the applicant must provide care in Japan.
Because “Designated Activities” is always subject to individual examination, even similar cases may result in different outcomes.
To identify the most appropriate status of residence and application strategy for your particular situation, early consultation with an immigration specialist and confirmation of the latest administrative practice are strongly recommended.
