Proving “Proper Support” for Parents Living Overseas in Immigration Procedures#

Foreign nationals residing in Japan often claim their parents living in their home countries as dependents for tax deduction purposes or during visa (status of residence) applications. While Japanese law allows for supporting overseas relatives, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan applies strict scrutiny to ensure that this support is genuine and not merely a method to evade taxes or artificially inflate financial stability.

Merely listing a parent’s name on an application form is insufficient. Applicants must provide objective, continuous proof of “proper support.” Failure to substantiate these claims can lead to suspicions of tax evasion or a lack of financial stability, potentially resulting in the denial of visa extensions or permanent residency applications. This article explains the standards for proving dependency from an objective and procedural perspective.

The Necessity of Objective Remittance Records#

In the eyes of Immigration, a verbal claim of “I support my parents” carries no weight without documentary evidence. The concept of support is primarily judged through the “paper trail” of money transfers.

Acceptable Methods of Remittance#

The transfer of funds must be verifiable by a third party. The following methods are generally accepted:

Bank Transfers (SWIFT): Official records showing a transfer from the applicant’s Japanese bank account to the parent’s account overseas.
Remittance Services: Statements from authorized fund transfer service providers (e.g., Western Union, Wise, SBI Remit) are widely accepted.

Crucially, these documents must clearly state the date of transfer, the amount, the sender (applicant), and the receiver (dependent parent).

Unacceptable Methods#

Hand-Carrying Cash: Many applicants claim they bring cash to their parents when visiting their home country. However, Immigration authorities generally do not accept this as proof of support. Even if passport stamps show travel dates aligning with the claim, there is no objective evidence that money was actually handed over or used for support.
Transfers via Friends: Asking a friend to deliver money is also rejected due to a lack of official documentation.
Credit Cards (Family Cards): While giving parents a family credit card can sometimes be accepted if detailed usage statements and the applicant’s bank deduction records are provided, it is often scrutinized more heavily than direct cash remittances. It must be clear that the card is used for essential living expenses.

Consistency and Sufficiency of Support#

A single transfer of funds does not constitute “dependency.” To be recognized as proper support, the financial assistance must reflect a genuine reliance on the applicant for living expenses.

Regularity (Continuity)#

Support is understood as a continuous provision for daily life. Therefore, remittances should occur regularly—typically monthly or every few months—throughout the year. A “lump sum” transfer made just before a visa renewal application is often viewed with suspicion, as it may appear to be a temporary measure taken solely to pass the immigration examination.

Appropriateness of the Amount#

The amount sent must be sufficient to contribute meaningfully to the parents’ cost of living in their home country. While the cost of living varies globally, sending a trivial amount (e.g., a few thousand yen per year) will not be recognized as supporting a dependent. Conversely, the amount must be realistic relative to the applicant’s income in Japan.

The Balance Between Income and Number of Dependents#

A critical aspect often overlooked is the impact of claiming dependents on the applicant’s “Income Requirement.” Immigration evaluates whether the applicant has sufficient income to support themselves, their family in Japan, and their dependents overseas.

If an applicant with a modest annual income (e.g., 3 million yen) claims five overseas relatives as dependents to maximize tax deductions, Immigration will question the financial viability of the household. The logic is simple: mathematically, the remaining disposable income per person would be below the poverty line.

This creates a significant risk. If Immigration determines that the dependents are claimed merely for tax purposes without genuine financial support (or if the income is insufficient to support that many people), it can be viewed as:

Tax Evasion: Reducing taxable income through false dependency claims.
Lack of Financial Stability: Failure to meet the income threshold required for the visa status.

Such findings can lead to a determination that the applicant has “bad conduct” (poor compliance with laws), resulting in shortened visa periods or denial of Permanent Residence.

Documentary Proof of Relationship#

In addition to financial records, applicants must prove the biological or legal relationship with the overseas parents. Official government-issued documents are required, such as:

Birth Certificates
Family Registers / Household Registries
Marriage Certificates (if supporting a step-parent or proving parental relationships)

These documents must usually be original and, if not in Japanese, accompanied by a Japanese translation.

Conclusion#

To successfully prove that parents living overseas are “properly supported” during Japanese immigration procedures, three elements are essential: objective remittance records (no cash), regular and sufficient payment history, and a reasonable balance between income and the number of dependents.

Claiming dependents solely for tax benefits without actual remittance is considered a serious compliance issue. It jeopardizes future visa applications and can be seen as an abuse of the system. Maintaining transparent, consistent, and verifiable records via official banking channels is the only safe way to demonstrate genuine support and ensure stability in your life in Japan.