If you’re living in Japan on a work or other long-term visa, you can bring your spouse and children through the Dependent Visa (家族滞在ビザ) or the Spouse of Japanese National Visa (日本人の配偶者等). Here’s how both work.

Two Main Family Visa Types

1. 家族滞在 (Kazoku Taizai) — Dependent Visa

For family members of foreign nationals holding a work, student, or other qualifying visa in Japan.

Who can sponsor: Foreign nationals on:

  • Work visas (Engineer, Humanities, Instructor, etc.)
  • Student visa
  • Cultural activities visa
  • Long-term resident visa

Who can apply as a dependent:

  • Spouse (legally married)
  • Children (biological, adopted under Japanese family law)

Does NOT include: Parents, siblings, unmarried partners, same-sex partners (as of 2025 — policy evolving)

2. 日本人の配偶者等 (Nihonjin no Haigusha-to) — Spouse of Japanese National

For people married to a Japanese citizen or permanent resident. Separate process; see below.

Dependent Visa: Requirements

For the Sponsor (主たる外国人)

  • Must hold a valid qualifying visa with sufficient remaining period
  • Must demonstrate ability to financially support dependents
  • Stable employment or clear source of income

For the Dependent

  • Must be a legal spouse (married by law — must be legally registered in your home country)
  • Must have a valid passport
  • No criminal history that would bar entry

Dependent Visa: Required Documents

DocumentNotes
Application formDownload from Immigration Services Agency
Passport (dependent’s)
Photograph (4cm × 3cm)
Residence card copy (sponsor’s)
Marriage certificateAuthenticated + translated into Japanese
Birth certificate (for children)Authenticated + translated
Sponsor’s Certificate of Employment在職証明書 — from employer
Sponsor’s tax/income proof源泉徴収票 or 課税証明書
Sponsor’s residence certificate住民票

Authentication

Foreign documents must typically be apostilled (if your country is in the Hague Convention) or authenticated by the Japanese embassy in your home country. Then officially translated into Japanese.

Application Process

  1. Sponsor in Japan prepares supporting documents
  2. Dependent applies at Japanese embassy/consulate in home country
  3. Immigration processes the application (4–8 weeks)
  4. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued
  5. Dependent takes COE to embassy → visa issued
  6. Enter Japan with visa

Changing Status Within Japan

If the dependent is already in Japan on a tourist visa, they can apply for status change at the Immigration Bureau — but approval is not guaranteed from within Japan.

Work Rights on Dependent Visa

The Dependent (家族滞在) visa does NOT automatically permit work.

To work, the dependent must separately apply for:

  • 資格外活動許可 (Shikaku-gai katsudo kyoka) — Permission for Activities Outside Designated Status

This is available from the Immigration Bureau:

  • Part-time work: up to 28 hours/week permitted
  • Full-time work: NOT permitted on a dependent visa (requires separate work visa)

This is a crucial point — many foreigners are unaware of this limitation.

Spouse of Japanese National Visa

If your spouse is a Japanese citizen (or permanent resident), you apply for a different visa:

日本人の配偶者等ビザ — allows more flexible status:

  • Can work (no restriction on working hours or type)
  • Longer validity periods (1–5 years)
  • Path to permanent residency after 3 years of cohabitation + 1 year of marriage (or 3 years of marriage total)

Additional Documents Required

  • Japanese spouse’s family register (戸籍謄本)
  • Proof of genuine relationship (photos together, communication records, meet frequency)
  • Joint household evidence (住民票 showing same address)

Renewing the Dependent Visa

Renew along with (or shortly after) the sponsor’s visa renewal:

  • Apply 3 months before expiry
  • Documents needed: same supporting documents, updated income/employment proof
  • If the sponsor’s visa is denied or not renewed, dependent must also leave Japan

Bringing Children to School

Children on a dependent visa can attend:

  • Japanese public schools — free, registered at your city hall
  • International schools — private fee; ¥1,000,000–3,000,000/year
  • City hall education department handles public school enrollment