Family Visa Support
Bring Your Family to Japan
Helping your spouse and children join you and start their life in Japan.
Online support · Applications from overseas · Full English support
What Is a Family Visa?
A Family Visa, officially called a Dependent Visa, allows the spouse or child of an eligible foreign resident in Japan to live with them as a dependent.
It is intended for family members who are financially supported by the main visa holder. In principle, parents and siblings are not covered by this status.
Family Members
Who Can Be Sponsored?
A Dependent Visa is generally intended for the spouse and children who are financially supported by the main visa holder in Japan.
01
Spouse
Your husband or wife may be eligible to join you in Japan as your dependent while you live and work or study here.
02
Child
Your child may also be eligible to live with you in Japan when they are financially dependent on you.
Main Visa Holder
Who Can Sponsor a Family Visa?
A Dependent Visa is available when the main visa holder in Japan has an eligible status of residence and can financially support their spouse or children.
Eligible Work Status Holders
Including Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services and other eligible work statuses.
Highly Skilled Professionals
Highly Skilled Professional status holders may generally bring eligible dependent family members.
Business Managers
Business Manager status holders may sponsor their dependent spouse and children.
Intra-company Transferees
Eligible employees transferred to Japan may also bring their dependent family members.
Students
Some Student status holders may sponsor a spouse or child, subject to financial and other requirements.
Other Eligible Statuses
Certain other statuses, including Cultural Activities and Specified Skilled Worker (ii), may also qualify.
View Official Eligible Statuses →
BRINGING YOUR FAMILY TO JAPAN
Bringing Your Family to Japan
If your spouse or child is living overseas, the usual process is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan first.
Once the COE is issued, your family member can use it to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for their area.
STEP 01
Apply for the COE in Japan
The first step is usually to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan. The main visa holder or another eligible representative in Japan may handle the application.
STEP 02
Apply for a Visa Overseas
After the COE is issued, your spouse or child can use it to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for their area.
Key Requirements
What Immigration Will Look At
Immigration will review both your family relationship and whether the main visa holder can support the family in Japan.
01
Family Relationship
You need to show that the applicant is genuinely your spouse or child, usually through documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
02
Financial Support
The main visa holder needs to show that the family can be financially supported while living in Japan. Income, employment, savings, or other financial resources may be relevant.
03
Genuine Dependency
A Dependent Visa is intended for a spouse or child who is actually supported by the main visa holder. Immigration may look at the family’s real living arrangements and financial circumstances.
04
Your Overall Circumstances
Immigration considers the application as a whole, including the sponsor’s residence status, period of stay, family situation, and the supporting documents submitted.
How the Process Works
From COE Application to Entering Japan
STEP 01
Apply for the COE in Japan
The main visa holder or another eligible representative submits the Certificate of Eligibility application in Japan.
STEP 02
Apply for a Visa Overseas
After the COE is issued, your spouse or child applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for their area.
STEP 03
Enter Japan
Once the visa is issued, your family member can travel to Japan and complete the landing procedures.
Timing
Processing Time & COE Validity
COE Processing Time
Varies
Processing time depends on the case, Immigration office, workload, and time of year. Official average processing times are published regularly.
COE Validity
3 Months
In principle, the applicant must apply for landing in Japan within three months from the date the COE is issued.
Processing times are only a guide and do not guarantee when an individual application will be completed.
Required Documents
Documents You May Need
The exact documents depend on your family situation and the main visa holder’s circumstances, but the following are commonly required.
-
01
COE Application Form & Photo
The prescribed application form and a recent photo of the applicant. -
02
Proof of Family Relationship
For example, a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other document showing the relationship between the applicant and the main visa holder. -
03
Documents From the Main Visa Holder
A copy of the residence card or passport and documents confirming the sponsor’s status in Japan. -
04
Proof of Employment and Financial Support
Documents may include proof of employment, tax certificates, income information, savings, or scholarship information, depending on the sponsor’s situation.
Can I Work on a Family Visa?
Working on a Dependent Visa
A Dependent Visa does not automatically give you permission to work in Japan.
If you would like to work while staying in Japan as a dependent, you generally need to obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted before starting paid work.
With Permission
Up to 28 Hours per Week
With comprehensive permission for activities outside your status, you can generally work for up to 28 hours per week. Certain types of work, including work in prohibited adult-entertainment businesses, are not permitted.
The exact scope of permitted work depends on the permission granted. If you plan to work full-time, you may need to change to an appropriate work-authorized status of residence.
View Official Information on Work Permission →LET'S BRING YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER
Planning to Bring Your Family to Japan?
Tell us where you and your family are now and what you are planning. We’ll help you understand the process and the next steps for your Family Visa application.
Free 60-minute Zoom consultation available.