Bringing your family to Japan requires a dependent visa — and the process is more involved than most people anticipate when they start planning. Understanding the requirements early prevents delays that can keep families separated for months. Here’s how the dependent visa process works.

Who Qualifies?

The Dependent visa is for:

  • Spouses of foreign residents in Japan
  • Unmarried children (under 18 typically, but adults in full-time education may qualify)

The main visa holder (sponsor) must have:

  • A valid, non-short-term visa (work, student, or specialist visa)
  • Sufficient income to support dependents
  • Good immigration history

Note: If you’re married to a Japanese national, your spouse gets a Spouse of Japanese National visa — a different, stronger category.

Requirements

DocumentDetails
Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)Applied for by the sponsor in Japan
Sponsor’s residence card copyBoth sides
Sponsor’s income proofEmployment certificate + tax records
Marriage/birth certificateWith certified Japanese translation
Passport photos4cm × 3cm, white background
Visa application formFrom Japanese embassy

Application Process

Option A — Apply from Abroad (Recommended)

  1. Sponsor applies for CoE at their local immigration office in Japan
  2. Immigration Bureau sends CoE to sponsor (1–3 months)
  3. Sponsor mails CoE to family member abroad
  4. Family member applies at the Japanese embassy/consulate in their country
  5. Visa issued, family member travels to Japan

Option B — Apply Inside Japan

If the dependent is already in Japan (e.g., on a tourist visa), they can apply for status change at the local immigration office. This is not guaranteed to work and is riskier.

Processing Time

  • CoE application: 1–3 months (processed in Japan)
  • Visa stamping: 5–7 business days at the embassy

Start the process 4–6 months before you want your family to arrive.

Work Rights on a Dependent Visa: Shikakugai Katsudo Kyoka (資格外活動許可)

By default, the Dependent visa does not include work permission.

However, dependents can apply for Shikakugai Katsudo Kyoka (資格外活動許可 — Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted), which allows part-time work in Japan.

What Shikakugai Katsudo Kyoka Allows

  • Up to 28 hours per week of part-time work (the “28 hours per week” limit is strictly enforced)
  • During school holidays or long periods away from sponsoring activity, this may be extended to 40 hours/week in some cases
  • Work in most industries is permitted (retail, restaurant, office, etc.)
  • Cannot work in businesses related to adult entertainment (pachinko, bars with hostessing, etc.)

How to Get Shikakugai Katsudo Kyoka

Option 1 — At the Airport on Arrival (Simplest)

  • Request permission at the immigration counter when entering Japan
  • It’s stamped directly into the passport — no extra paperwork required
  • Works for most dependents arriving from abroad

Option 2 — At Your Local Immigration Office

  • If you didn’t apply at the airport, visit the regional immigration bureau
  • Bring your residence card, passport, and a letter explaining your situation
  • Processing: typically 2–4 weeks

Important: The 28-Hour Limit

The 28-hour/week rule is a hard limit. Exceeding it is a violation of your visa status and can affect your ability to renew the dependent visa. Employers are also legally responsible for checking work permission status.

Full-time work (40 hours/week) is not permitted on a dependent visa. If your spouse wants to work full-time, they need to switch to their own work visa — which requires a job offer from a Japanese employer.

Duration

The Dependent visa matches the sponsor’s visa duration — typically 1–3 years. It must be renewed each time the sponsor renews.

Cost of Living for a Family in Japan

Budgeting for a family in Japan:

ExpenseMonthly estimate
Rent (2LDK, Tokyo suburbs)¥120,000–160,000
Utilities¥20,000–30,000
Food (family of 3)¥60,000–80,000
Health insurance¥15,000–25,000
Children’s school¥0 (public) – ¥150,000 (international)

Settling In: Useful Tools

  • Wise — Send money between Japan and your home country cheaply
  • Google Translate — Photograph and translate Japanese documents
  • italki — Japanese lessons for your spouse to get started
  • Line — The main messaging app in Japan, essential for daily communication

Tips

  • Keep your income stable. If the sponsor loses their job, it affects the dependent’s visa.
  • Update your address whenever you move — dependents must also register at city hall.
  • Children in Japan can attend public school for free, even on a dependent visa. Schools are welcoming and often have Japanese language support programs.

Insurance while between visas or traveling: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers you internationally and can be purchased month-to-month — ideal for visa gaps or short trips abroad.