Introduction

As the number of foreign nationals working in Japan with the status of residence “Highly Skilled Professional” or under the special highly skilled professional system increases, more families are hoping to invite their parents to Japan to help with childbirth and child‑rearing.
In principle, ordinary work‑related statuses of residence do not allow foreign workers to bring their parents to live in Japan, but as a preferential measure for highly skilled foreign professionals, a specific type of “Designated Activities” status has been introduced for the parent(s) of a Highly Skilled Professional or their spouse, and for the parent(s) of a special highly skilled professional or their spouse.​

This status is only granted when certain strict conditions are satisfied, and misunderstanding those conditions may lead to refusal of permission or of extension. This article explains the basic framework and practical points of this Designated Activities status, based on official information.​

Position of this Designated Activities status

“Designated Activities” is defined under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act as a status of residence granted to foreign nationals who engage in activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice.​
One of these categories is for the parent(s) of a Highly Skilled Professional or his/her spouse, and the parent(s) of a special highly skilled professional or his/her spouse, who come to Japan to provide certain forms of family support.​

The Ministry of Justice clearly lists “permission for bringing the parent(s) to accompany the Highly Skilled Professional to Japan” as one of the preferential treatments, limited to situations such as raising a young child or supporting a pregnant spouse so that the family can live together in Japan.​
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also explains that the spouse who intends to work, the parent(s) and domestic workers of a Highly Skilled Professional can apply for a “Designated Activities” visa, distinct from the ordinary “Dependent” status.​

Eligible parents and permitted activities

Under this type of Designated Activities, those who can be invited are the parent(s) of the Highly Skilled Professional or the parent(s) of his/her spouse, and, in principle, only one side of the parents can be brought.​
Brothers, sisters and grandparents are not covered, and even parents are not allowed to stay in Japan merely for the purpose of living together; a specific situation prescribed by public notices or guidelines must exist.​

Typical examples of permitted activities include the following.​

• Taking care of a child younger than 7 years of age (including stepchildren and adopted children) of the Highly Skilled Professional or his/her spouse
• Providing housework and other necessary support to a pregnant Highly Skilled Professional or a pregnant spouse of a Highly Skilled Professional

These activities are strictly limited to child‑raising and support for a pregnant mother, and the status does not assume that the parent will engage in work for his/her own benefit.

Main requirements (income, living together, etc.)

Whether this Designated Activities status is granted or not depends on several key requirements, which are described in official materials and professional explanations.​

• The main family member holds “Highly Skilled Professional” status or is recognized under the special highly skilled professional system
  • The applicant must be a Highly Skilled Professional or a special highly skilled professional who satisfies the point‑based requirements.​
• Sufficient household income
  • In practice, an annual household income of around 8 to 10 million yen or more for the Highly Skilled Professional and his/her spouse is often required so that the family, including the parent(s), can live stably in Japan.​
• Living together with the parent(s) in Japan
  • The parent(s) must live in the same household as the Highly Skilled Professional family and provide continuous child‑care or household support.​
• Age of the child and pregnancy
  • In child‑care cases, the child must be under 7 years of age, and in principle the permission ends when the child turns seven.​
  • In pregnancy cases, documents such as a medical certificate or a Maternal and Child Health Handbook are required to prove pregnancy.​

These conditions do not automatically guarantee approval; immigration authorities make a comprehensive assessment, so it is important to provide concrete and consistent explanations in the application documents.

Period of stay, extension and risk of non‑approval

The period of stay is generally one year and may be renewed depending on factors such as the age of the child and the overall family situation.​
After the child turns seven, it becomes difficult to extend the status on the ground of child‑raising, and in principle the parent(s) must either return to their home country or consider changing to another appropriate status of residence.​

Cases that are likely to be refused or not renewed include the following.​

• The Highly Skilled Professional’s income does not meet the required level and it appears difficult to support the entire family in Japan
• The invited parent is elderly and in need of care, so the real purpose is to move the parent’s living base to Japan rather than to support the Highly Skilled Professional’s family
• The child is already over seven years old and the only reason is to live together, without clear grounds under the system

When planning to invite a parent, it is essential to consider the family’s life plan, the child’s age and the timing of pregnancy and childbirth together with the framework of this system.

Application procedure and key documents

To invite a parent from overseas, the Highly Skilled Professional or his/her representative in Japan usually applies for a Certificate of Eligibility for “Designated Activities” at the regional immigration services bureau.​
After the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, the parent applies for a Designated Activities visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate‑General in his/her home country.​

Typical documents include the following.​

• Copies of the residence cards and passports of the Highly Skilled Professional and his/her spouse
• Evidence of household income, such as withholding tax slips, tax certificates and employment contracts
• Documents proving the parent‑child and marital relationships, such as family registers, birth certificates and marriage certificates
• Documents showing the child’s age (for cases involving a child under seven), or medical certificates and Maternal and Child Health Handbooks for pregnancy cases
• Documents showing the plan to live together in Japan, such as a lease agreement

In practice, additional documents may be requested according to individual circumstances, so it is advisable to check the latest information provided by the Immigration Services Agency and to prepare detailed explanatory materials or statements of reasons.​

Conclusion

The Designated Activities status for the parent(s) of a Highly Skilled Professional or special highly skilled professional and their spouse is a special制度 that makes it possible, under strict conditions, to accompany parents who would normally not be eligible to live in Japan under ordinary work‑related statuses.​
At the same time, the scope is strictly limited to child‑care for children under seven and support for pregnancy, and financial and cohabitation requirements are not easy to satisfy.​

Those who wish to invite their parents should understand the purpose and requirements of the Highly Skilled Professional and special highly skilled professional schemes, consider their long‑term family plans, and then decide on an appropriate application strategy.
By regularly checking the latest information from the Immigration Services Agency, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consulting a qualified professional when necessary, it is possible to reduce the risk of refusal and aim for a stable legal stay in Japan.