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. Set a free visa reminder, or get a professional review of your specific situation.
Supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士) · Updated July 2026 · No spam, no sales calls
Bringing your family to Japan?
See how dependent status works and what you may need to prepare.