Dependent Visa Work Rules: The 28-Hour Limit Explained
Dependent Visa Work Rules
The 28-Hour Limit, Explained
家族滞在 (Dependent Visa) is fundamentally a non-working visa. But most holders can still work part-time — legally — once they understand exactly what's permitted, how the 28-hour cap is calculated, and how to apply.
- What 資格外活動許可 actually permits (and what it doesn't)
- How the 28-hour weekly cap is calculated — and common misunderstandings
- How to apply, step by step, including at airport landing
- What counts as a violation — and the real consequences
- Industries where work is barred even with permission
Based on real consultation cases and current ISA procedures. See the full Dependent Visa Guide for the visa itself. Last updated: July 2026.
家族滞在 is a Non-Working Visa — With One Legal Exception
By default, a Dependent Visa (家族滞在) does not permit any employment. However, most holders can legally work part-time by obtaining 資格外活動許可 — "permission for activity outside status." Once granted, this permission allows part-time work, capped at 28 hours per week, in most industries.
The rules are simple in outline but frequently misunderstood in practice — especially the 28-hour calculation across multiple jobs, and which industries remain off-limits regardless of permission. Below is the full breakdown.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a Dependent Visa holder work without any permission? | No — 資格外活動許可 is required first |
| What's the weekly hour limit? | 28 hours/week, combined across all jobs |
| Is there a "long vacation" exception like student visas? | No — that exception applies to 留学 (student) visas, not 家族滞在 |
| Where do you apply? | Regional Immigration Services Bureau, or at airport landing for new arrivals |
| Are any industries off-limits even with permission? | Yes — 風俗営業 (adult entertainment-related businesses) is barred entirely |
What 資格外活動許可 Actually Permits
資格外活動許可 (permission for activity outside status) lets a Dependent Visa holder engage in paid work that would otherwise be outside what their visa status allows. It's a broad permission — once granted, it applies to most types of part-time employment, not a specific job or employer.
- Retail, food service, convenience stores, and similar part-time roles
- Office work, administrative support, translation/interpretation work
- Tutoring and language teaching (private or through a company)
- Freelance work within the 28-hour weekly cap
- Changing employers is fine — the permission is not tied to one workplace
The 28-Hour Weekly Cap — How It's Actually Calculated
The cap is calculated per week, combined across every job — not per job, and not averaged over a month. This is the single most common point of confusion.
It's also worth noting explicitly: student visa (留学) holders get an exception allowing full-time work during long school vacations — Dependent Visa holders do not get this exception. The 28-hour cap applies year-round, with no seasonal exception.
- Week is generally counted Sunday to Saturday (per standard immigration guidance)
- All jobs are combined — 15 hours at Job A + 15 hours at Job B = 30 hours = a violation
- No monthly averaging — a single week over 28 hours is a violation even if other weeks were under
- No exception during summer, winter, or any other break period
How to Apply for 資格外活動許可
The application itself is one of the simpler immigration procedures — it's typically processed without an interview, and there's no government fee for the application.
- 資格外活動許可申請書 (application form) — available at the Immigration Bureau or online
- Passport and residence card
- Photo (if required by your regional bureau — check current requirements)
- New arrivals: this can be requested at the airport at landing, alongside your residence card issuance
- Application form
- Passport & residence card
- Regional Immigration Bureau
- Or at airport landing
- Typically a few weeks
- No interview usually required
- Noted on residence card or a separate permit
- Start working within the 28-hour cap
Common Violations & the Real Consequences
There's a common misconception that working slightly over 28 hours, or working briefly without permission, is a minor issue that gets a warning first. In practice, it's recorded as an immigration violation from the first instance and can affect you well beyond the immediate situation.
- Your next visa renewal — may result in a shorter grant or additional scrutiny
- Any future status change application
- Long-term PR eligibility — see the Family Visa rejection reasons →
- In serious or repeated cases, deportation proceedings are possible
Industries Restricted Even With Permission
資格外活動許可 explicitly excludes work in businesses regulated under Japan's 風俗営業法 (Adult Entertainment Business Law) — this covers a broad category of nightlife and entertainment establishments, not only explicitly sexual services. This restriction cannot be lifted by any permission; it's a blanket exclusion.
- Ask the employer directly whether the business is registered under 風俗営業法
- When in doubt, consult an administrative scrivener before accepting the position
- This restriction applies regardless of the specific role you'd be doing at the business
Working Multiple Jobs
There's no rule against holding multiple part-time jobs simultaneously. The permission itself isn't tied to a single employer. The risk is purely in tracking — it becomes easy to lose sight of your combined weekly total when juggling two or three part-time roles.
- Keep a simple weekly log of hours across every job
- Communicate your visa limit to each employer upfront — many are used to accommodating this
- If your total is consistently close to 28 hours, build in a buffer rather than cutting it exactly
Check Your Work Eligibility
A quick check — not a substitute for a full assessment. For your broader family visa situation, see the Family & Spouse Visa Hub →
Pre-Employment Checklist
- 資格外活動許可 obtained (or application submitted, if applying at landing)
- Permission is visible on residence card or separate permit document
- Employer(s) informed of your visa status and hour limits
- A simple weekly log set up (spreadsheet, notes app, or paper)
- All jobs' hours recorded in the same log — not tracked separately
- A buffer built in below 28 hours, not cutting it exactly
- Confirmed the business is not registered under 風俗営業法
- When unsure, asked the employer directly or consulted a scrivener
The Rules, at a Glance
This Article is Part of a Series
Explore the full Family & Spouse Visa series below.
Dependent Visa Work FAQ
Reviewed by a licensed Administrative Scrivener based on real cases.
Related Guides
Make sure your work status is compliant
A small oversight in hour tracking can affect renewals years down the line. Subscribe to the Japan Visa Newsletter, or use the free initial intake to check the right next step for your situation.
Updated July 2026 · Newsletter and professional referrals are separate services
Bringing your family to Japan?
See how dependent status works and what you may need to prepare.