Can a Child Apply for Permanent Residence After Graduating from a Japanese University While Remaining a Dependent?#

The question of whether a child who has graduated from a Japanese university can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) without securing employment, while remaining dependent on their parents, touches upon a very sensitive and complex area of Japanese immigration procedures.

Generally, international students who graduate from Japanese universities are expected to either find employment and switch to a work visa (such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”) or switch to a “Designated Activities” visa to continue job hunting. However, in cases where the parents are already Permanent Residents or have established a stable foundation in Japan, families often ask, “Can my child get Permanent Residence without working?”

To give a direct answer: While the possibility varies greatly depending on the child’s “current status of residence” and their “residency history in Japan,” it is generally extremely difficult.

Here, I will provide an objective explanation of the system’s mechanisms and the key points of the immigration review.

Requirements for Permanent Residence and the Exception for “Independent Livelihood”#

First, let us review the three main requirements for Permanent Residence:

1. Good Conduct Requirement: The applicant must abide by the law and lead a daily life that does not attract social criticism.
2. Independent Livelihood Requirement: The applicant must have sufficient assets or skills to earn an independent living and not become a burden on public resources.
3. National Interest Requirement: The applicant’s permanent residence must be deemed to be in the interests of Japan (e.g., long-term residency, fulfillment of tax obligations).

In principle, an applicant must be able to support themselves. However, there is a special exception to this rule.

If the applicant is a “spouse or child of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident,” the Independent Livelihood Requirement is waived (relaxed). This means that even if the child does not have an income of their own, if the household as a whole (primarily the parents) has sufficient income and lives a stable life, the economic requirement is considered satisfied.

Looking at this rule alone, one might assume, “If the parent is a Permanent Resident, an unemployed child can apply.” However, in reality, significant hurdles exist.

The Barrier of “Status of Residence” Types#

The most critical factor is the type of visa (Status of Residence) the child currently holds.

1. In the Case of a “Student” Visa#

If the child came to Japan as an international student and currently holds a “Student” visa, the probability of being granted PR immediately after graduation without employment is extremely low. This is because converting from a Student visa to PR generally requires a track record of employment after switching to a work visa. Furthermore, since the purpose of the “Student” visa ends upon graduation, remaining in Japan without finding employment raises questions regarding the validity of their stay under immigration guidelines.

2. In the Case of a “Dependent” (Kazoku Taizai) Visa#

Similarly, it is difficult if the parent is on a work visa and the child is on a “Dependent” visa. Graduation from university is typically viewed as reaching adulthood and the age of independence. The “Dependent” status is premised on the need for support, but for an adult graduate to remain unemployed and dependent without a justifiable reason is often viewed negatively during immigration reviews. In most cases, the Immigration Services Agency expects the individual to find employment and switch to a work visa.

3. In the Case of a “Long-term Resident” (Teijusha) Visa#

A possibility remains if the child has lived in Japan since childhood and already possesses the “Long-term Resident” status. For a child holding a “Long-term Resident” visa, even if they are dependent on their parents, PR is possible because the income is judged on a household basis. However, even in this scenario, the fact that an adult university graduate is not working will impact the examiner’s impression. A reasonable explanation (such as preparing for graduate school, helping with a family business substantially, or health reasons) will likely be required.

Taxes and Public Obligations under the “National Interest Requirement”#

Even if the economic requirement (household income) is met, the “National Interest Requirement”—specifically the fulfillment of public obligations—is scrutinized strictly during the PR review.

Upon graduating from university, an adult incurs obligations to pay into the National Pension System and National Health Insurance. While health insurance might be covered as a dependent of the parent, enrollment in the National Pension System is mandatory for those over 20 years old (excluding periods covered by the Special Payment System for Students).

If the period of being “unemployed” after graduation is prolonged and results in unpaid or late pension payments, the PR application is highly likely to be rejected. The rationale that “I don’t have to pay because I am dependent on my parents” is not accepted by Immigration. Even if the applicant has no ability to pay personally, the head of the household must ensure payments are made on time.

Applying While on “Designated Activities” (Job Hunting) Visa#

If a job has not been secured by graduation, it is common to switch to a “Designated Activities (Job Hunting)” visa. This visa is granted specifically for the purpose of job hunting. While applying for PR under this status is not technically prohibited, it puts the applicant at a significant disadvantage regarding “stability of life.” Claiming a desire for PR while having no fixed employment makes it difficult to prove the stability of one’s future foundation in Japan, serving as a major negative factor in the review.

Recommended Path#

Based on the above, the most certain and sincere route for a child who has graduated from a Japanese university to obtain Permanent Residence is as follows:

1. Secure Employment: First, find a job at a company and obtain an appropriate work visa (e.g., “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”).
2. Build a Track Record: Accumulate a record of fulfilling obligations such as taxes and pension payments independently as a working member of society.
3. Apply: If the parents are Permanent Residents, the child can apply for PR after working for about one year (provided they meet other requirements, such as total residency duration).

Conclusion#

Applying for Permanent Residence while remaining unemployed and dependent on parents after graduating from university is institutionally very difficult, unless the child already holds a status such as “Long-term Resident” based on family ties. Even where it is possible, a rational explanation for why the individual is not working, along with a flawless record of pension payments, is essential.

Permanent Residence is a status for those who will live stably as members of Japanese society. At the milestone of university graduation, acquiring a work visa and establishing a foundation as a working professional is, ultimately, the shortest path to obtaining Permanent Residence.