Dependent visa

Eligible Individuals

Spouses and children of individuals holding the following visas

• Business Manager

• Work Visa

• Cultural Activities

• Student Visa

Note: This does not include those with Training, Technical Intern Training, or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

Spouses and Children of Other Visa Holders

• Spouse or child of a Japanese national → Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa

• Stepchild of a Japanese national → Long-Term Resident visa

• Spouse or child of a Permanent Resident → Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident visa

• Stepchild of a Permanent Resident → Long-Term Resident visa

• Spouse or child of a Long-Term Resident → Long-Term Resident visa

• Designated Activities → Specially Designated Activities visa is granted depending on the type of Specially Designated Activities.

• For family members of Highly Skilled Professionals, please refer to the relevant webpage.

  
  

Requirements for inviting family members with Dependent visa

1. Proof of being a spouse/childYou must be able to prove that they are your real family members by marriage certificate or birth certificate.

2. Must be financially dependent family memberThe spouse or child must be financially dependent on the supporting foreign national. It does not include spouses and children who are financially independent. Also, if a child is old enough to be financially independent, he or she is not considered dependent, except under special circumstances.Note: Adult status are not automatically considered they are financially independent, For example, university students may remain on a dependent visa until graduation. However, if an adult child is to be newly brought to Japan, even as a student, a Student Visa is generally required.

3. Sufficient financial ability to live together in JapanThe supporting foreign national must have stable financial resources.Although family members may work up to 28 hours per week with "permission to engage in activities other than those permitted by status of residence", the income of these family members is not included in the income here. The supporter must have sufficient annual income.

Activities allowed on a dependent visa

• Daily household activities and receiving education at educational institutions

• With "permission to engage in activities other than those permitted by status of residence", work is allowed up to 28 hours per week

  
  

Other Common Questions

If I get married, do I have to change my visa status to a Dependent Visa?If both spouses hold work visas (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), and both will continue working, they do not necessarily need to change their visa status. On the other hand, if the holder of a Dependent visa gets a job, it is possible to work more than 28 hours per week by changing to a work visa.

Up to what age can children obtain a Dependent Visa?The older the child, the more difficult it becomes to obtain a Dependent Visa. If the child is 18 or nearing adulthood, it is generally difficult to bring them to Japan on a Dependent Visa unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases, another visa type (e.g., Student Visa) is usually recommended.However, children already in Japan on a Dependent Visa may continue to renew their visa if they are enrolled in an educational institution such as a university.Once they graduate, they should switch to a relevant visa type (e.g., work visa). Similarly, visa renewal becomes more difficult as the child approaches the age of independence, unless they are still students or have other special circumstances.

Parents and Siblings

→ See parents and siblings

Adopted child

→ See Adopted child 

Same-Sex Marriage

→ See Same-Sex Marriage