Comprehensive Guide to Dependent Visa: Eligibility, Requirements, and Important Considerations
“I want to bring my spouse to Japan where I’m working.”
“I want to bring my children to Japan so we can live together as a family.”
In such cases, what you’ll need is a Dependent Visa.
In this article, I’ll clearly explain who is eligible, the requirements for obtaining it, and important points to note—from the perspective of an immigration lawyer/administrative scrivener.
📌 What is a Dependent Visa?
It is a residence status that allows the dependent family members of foreign nationals residing in Japan on a work visa, student visa, or similar status to live in Japan.
✅ Eligible family members are those financially dependent on the main visa holder, and they are generally not allowed to work.
✅ The period of stay in Japan is the same as that of the main visa holder (the sponsor).
👨👩👧 Who Can (and Cannot) Apply for a Dependent Visa?
Here’s a table showing cases that qualify and cases that don’t qualify for a Dependent Visa.
| Family Member Type | Eligible for a Dependent Visa | Not Eligible for a Dependent Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse (legally married husband or wife) | ✅ When there is a legally valid marriage | ❌ Common-law or de facto marriage alone is not accepted |
| Minor child | ✅ Biological or adopted child (who requires financial support) | ❌ Adult children are not eligible |
| Parents (father and mother) | ❌ Not eligible in principle (Special Activity Visa may be considered for exceptional cases such as caregiving) | ✅ Even if living together, a Dependent Visa cannot be granted |
| Siblings (brothers and sisters) | ❌ Not eligible | ✅ Consider another status of residence, such as a Special Activity Visa |
| Fiancé(e) / Partner in a relationship | ❌ Not eligible | ✅ Becomes eligible after marriage |
Key Points:
- The Dependent Visa is strictly limited to spouses and minor children who require financial support.
- Parents, siblings, and adult children are generally not eligible, so you may need to consider a Special Activity Visa or a Short-Term Stay Visa instead.
✅ Requirements for Approval
| Checklist Items | Description |
|---|---|
| Residence status of the sponsor | Applicable to statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Student, etc. |
| Income and financial capability of the sponsor | Whether there is sufficient income to support the family |
| Secured living environment | Whether there is housing available to live together with the family |
| Proof of marriage or parent-child relationship | Official documents such as a family register or birth certificate |
| Genuineness of the purpose of stay | hat the marriage is not merely formal or for fraudulent purposes |
💡 Main Documents Required for the Application
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (when inviting family members to Japan)
- Marriage certificate / Birth certificate (issued in the home country)
- Copy of the sponsor’s Residence Card and passport
- Proof of income (such as withholding tax certificate, tax payment certificate, or pay slips)
- Documents verifying housing (e.g., rental contract)
- Statement of reasons (if required)
※ All documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
🕐 Estimated Screening Period
- Certificate of Eligibility (when inviting family from overseas) → Approximately 3 to 6 months
- Change or renewal of residence status (within Japan) → Approximately 2 weeks to 2 months
ChatGPT:
※ Timeframes may vary depending on the period and individual circumstances.
⚠️ Important Points to Note
✅ Low income may lead to refusal
→ If you plan to support a spouse and children, a household income of at least 2.5 to 3 million yen per year is desirable.
✅ Bringing parents is generally not allowed
→ In special cases such as caregiving needs, a Special Activity Visa may be considered separately.
If you need application support available throughout Japan, we’re here to help!
At the Administrative Scrivener Taro Fujita Office, we provide the following support:
✅ Wide support for Student, Spouse, Long-Term Resident, and Work Visas
✅ Online applications with nationwide coverage
✅ Flat-rate pricing including document preparation, statements of reasons, and consultations
Don’t wait for problems to arise—feel free to consult us anytime!
