How to extend your short-term visa to visit relatives

Consultation content: I want to extend my short-term visa

Mr. A (31), a Japanese husband, and his wife, Ms. B (23), from the Philippines, have been married for two years and have a two-month-old daughter. When Ms. B was in her ninth month of pregnancy, she decided to invite her mother to Japan on a short-term visa to help with her daily life. However, her mother’s visa is valid for 90 days, and she would like her to continue to stay in Japan, so she would like to extend the visa.

Checkpoint: Conditions for obtaining and extending a short-term visa

Basic conditions for obtaining a short-term visa

You are entering Japan to visit relatives
Financial support during your stay in Japan is secured
The applicant’s stay is short-term and limited to tourism or visiting relatives

Special cases in which a visa extension is permitted

If support is required after childbirth
If the visitor requires health support due to illness or injury
If an emergency occurs during your short stay and it is difficult to return home

Solutions provided by administrative scriveners: Solutions for extending short-term visas

In most cases, short-term visa extensions are not approved, but extensions may be granted if there are special circumstances. As administrative scriveners, we support you with the following steps. In this case, the extension was granted because the extension was to support childbirth.

Organizing special circumstances and preparing supporting documents
If there are special circumstances, such as postpartum support or illness, prepare documents that explain the reasons in detail. For example, if you are providing necessary support after childbirth, state the specific reason why that support needs to be extended. Also attach supporting documents such as a doctor’s certificate to support the situation.
Securing and proving financial support
To prove that the expenses for your stay will be covered without any problems, prepare a certificate of employment for your dependents and a bank account balance certificate. This will reduce the risk of your visa extension application being rejected for financial reasons.
Proof of kinship
To prove that your stay is for the purpose of visiting relatives, submit a document (such as a birth certificate) that proves the relationship between the visitor and the relatives staying in Japan. This will show that your visit is legitimate and is for the purpose of supporting your family.

Applicable status of residence: Short-term stay visa (visiting relatives)

This is a visa that foreigners obtain to stay temporarily in Japan to visit relatives. Usually, this visa is for short-term stays such as tourism, business, and visiting relatives, and mainly allows stays of up to 90 days.

Documents required at the time of application

Passport: A document to verify the applicant’s identity and entry and exit history.
Application for renewal of status of residence: A formal application for visa extension.
Statement of reasons for needing renewal of short-term stay: A document that specifically describes the reason for the need for extension.
Proof of activities during stay: A document that proves what activities were performed during the stay (e.g., itinerary and activity report).
Proof of financial support: A document that proves that the expenses for the stay will be paid without any problems (e.g., a certificate of employment for dependents, a bank statement).
Certificate of kinship: A document that proves that the visit is for kinship purposes (e.g., a birth certificate).
Photographs of the applicant and relatives: A photograph to show the kinship.

Summary: Key points for extending a short-term visa

Obtaining and extending a short-term visa is possible only if you are visiting relatives or have special circumstances, and you meet certain conditions. If you want to extend your stay, especially for the purpose of visiting relatives, you can increase the success rate of your application by getting support from an administrative scrivener. An explanation of the reason and certification documents are essential for the application, and if there are any deficiencies, the visa extension may not be approved. Consulting an administrative scrivener early and making the necessary preparations is the key to a smooth visa extension.