🎓 What happens to your visa if you are an international student and get pregnant?
If you are in Japan on a Student Visa and you become pregnant or give birth, you may worry about:
- Can you continue your visa while taking a leave of absence?
- What will be the visa status of your baby?
- Can you continue studying under the Student Visa after returning to school?
Don’t worry!! Here, we explain these questions above in this article!!
⏸️ Student Visa renewal during a leave of absence
- Pregnancy and childbirth can be considered “unavoidable reasons”, so you can apply for visa renewal even while on leave.
- Required documents:
- Doctor’s certificate / copy of maternal and child health handbook
- School leave of absence certificate
- Certificate of planned return to school (show the month and year you will resume classes)※This is very important to ensure when you renew the visa
- Note:
- Immigration may give a shorter visa period ※You may still receive the Student Visa but the period of acceptance might be shorter than usual.
- Proof of planned return to school and financial support is important
⏳ If your current visa has enough time (no renewal needed?)
- If your visa expiration date covers your pregnancy, childbirth, and leave period, you may not need to renew.
- But it is safer to:
- Submit a leave of absence to your school
- Keep a doctor’s certificate and return-to-school certificate
- This helps avoid problems when returning to school or applying for your baby’s visa.
👶 Baby Procedures in Fukuoka
There are two main procedures for your baby:
- Birth Registration (Shusshō Todoke) at the City Office
- You must submit the birth registration within 14 days after birth.
- In Fukuoka City, go to the Ward Office’s Citizens’ Division (Shimin-ka).
- Foreign language guidance and required documents are available on the Fukuoka City official website.
- Visa Application at the Immigration Office
- Most babies of Student Visa holders get a Dependent Visa (Family Stay).
- Apply within 30 days after birth at the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.
- You need some documents from the city office, like the birth certificate.
🏫 Differences by School Type
- Universities / Graduate Schools / Professional Schools
- If tuition and living costs are stable, Dependent Visa for baby and leave-of-absence visa renewal are easier.
- Japanese language schools / short-term programs
- If tuition or living costs are lower, Dependent Visa may be harder to get.
- Some cases start with “Designated Activities Visa” and later change to Dependent Visa.
🔄 Returning to School
- Once you return to school, you can continue studying in Japan under the Student Visa.
🏢 Fukuoka Support Information
School Support
- Universities and professional schools in Fukuoka have International Offices that can help with leave certificates and return-to-school certificates.
Key Locations in Fukuoka:
- Ward Office Citizens’ Division (Shimin-ka) – for birth registration
- Fukuoka Immigration Bureau – for baby’s Dependent Visa
✉️🆘❓If you face any difficulties…
The website of the organization I volunteer with provides various information for foreigners about pregnancy and childbirth. You can also get consultation, so please use it as a reference.
→にほんでの妊娠さいと
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