A Guide to the Restrictions on Bringing Parents to Japan for Highly Skilled Professionals After Obtaining Permanent Residency#

The “Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)” status of residence in Japan offers numerous preferential treatments to foreign nationals with exceptional professional abilities, evaluated based on factors like academic background, work experience, and annual income. One of the most attractive benefits is the system that allows them, under certain conditions, to bring their parents from overseas to live with them in Japan.

However, it is crucial to understand that this benefit is tied specifically to the “Highly Skilled Professional” status. Consequently, if an HSP obtains Permanent Residency in the future, the handling of this arrangement changes significantly. While permanent residency is a major goal for establishing a stable life in Japan, for those who wish to live with their parents, it necessitates careful consideration of application timing and long-term family planning.

This article provides an objective explanation of the institutional restrictions faced by HSPs regarding their parents’ residency after they have acquired Permanent Resident status, detailing the mechanisms and background of the system.

Understanding the System for HSPs to Bring Their Parents#

First, it is essential to grasp the outline of the parent accompaniment system, a unique benefit for those with HSP status. This system is designed to create a supportive environment for talented foreign professionals to work and live in Japan with peace of mind. It allows them to bring their own or their spouse’s parents to Japan under the “Designated Activities” status of residence, provided the following conditions are met.

Key Conditions:

1. Household Income Requirement: The annual household income of the HSP must be 8 million JPY or more.
2. Parent’s Role Requirement: The parent must be coming to Japan to:
   • Care for a child (including adopted children) under the age of 7 of the HSP or their spouse.
   • Or, provide support to the HSP or their spouse during pregnancy.
3. Cohabitation Requirement: The parent must live with the HSP.

This system enables HSPs to receive support from their parents for childcare or during pregnancy, making it easier to balance a professional career and family life in Japan. This is a significant advantage that distinguishes the HSP visa from other work-related visas.

Why the Privilege to Bring Parents is Lost After Obtaining Permanent Residency#

This is the most critical point. In short, when a Highly Skilled Professional obtains permanent residency, their status of residence changes from “Highly Skilled Professional” to “Permanent Resident.” The parent accompaniment system described above is a preferential treatment granted exclusively to individuals holding the “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

Under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the “Permanent Resident” status does not include any special provisions that allow for the accompaniment of parents under these specific conditions. Therefore, the moment the status of residence changes to “Permanent Resident,” the legal basis for permitting the parents’ stay is lost.

As a result, after obtaining permanent residency, the parents will generally not be able to renew their “Designated Activities” visa, even if the HSP continues to meet the income and cohabitation requirements. This is not a penalty but a systemic consequence of the change in legal status.

Alternatives and Considerations After Obtaining Permanent Residency#

Before applying for permanent residency, it is necessary to carefully consider your family’s life plan, especially regarding your desire to continue living with your parents. The following are the main options to consider.

1. Maintain HSP Status Without Applying for Permanent Residency If living with your parents is the top priority, one option is to continue renewing your “Highly Skilled Professional” status instead of applying for permanent residency. Although this requires periodic renewal procedures, it allows you to maintain your parents’ residency in Japan as long as the system remains in place.

2. Obtain Permanent Residency and Have Parents Visit on a Temporary Visitor Visa If you prioritize the benefits of permanent residency (e.g., easier access to home loans, no restrictions on activities), you can become a permanent resident and have your parents visit on a “Temporary Visitor” visa (such as a tourist visa). However, each stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days, making long-term cohabitation impossible.

3. Possibility of Residency Based on Humanitarian Grounds In very exceptional cases, if a parent is elderly, has no other relatives to rely on in their home country, and would face significant hardship without the support of their child in Japan, there is a small possibility of being granted residency on humanitarian grounds. However, this is for a status of residence specifically for “supporting an elderly parent,” and the requirements are extremely strict. It should not be considered a standard option.

Conclusion#

The preferential treatment that allows a Highly Skilled Professional to live with their parents in Japan is lost upon obtaining permanent residency, as the status of residence changes to “Permanent Resident.” This is a result of the legal framework where the benefit is tied to the specific “Highly Skilled Professional” status.

For highly skilled individuals considering applying for permanent residency, it is essential to look at the long-term picture, considering not only your own career path but also the future plans for your entire family, including your parents. It is crucial to carefully weigh the stability offered by permanent residency against the quality of life that comes with living with your parents, and to make the choice that best suits your personal and family circumstances.