Japan Dependent Visa Guide 2026 — Bringing Family, Work Rights (28hr Rule) & Children Born in Japan | VisaSHOGUN
🏛️ Admin Scrivener Supervised📅 Last updated: June 2026👨👩👧 Family in Japan
Japan Dependent Visa Guide 2026 Bringing Your Family to Japan
Want to bring your spouse, children, or parents to Japan? The Dependent Visa (家族滞在) lets you keep your family together — but there are strict eligibility rules, income requirements, and work limitations that affect almost every family.
Who qualifies as a "dependent" under Japanese immigration law
Income requirements for sponsors — what's actually enough
Can dependents work? The 28-hour rule explained
Required documents — for both the sponsor and the dependent
Children born in Japan — registration and visa procedures
What happens if the sponsor loses their job or changes status
Most searched question: "Can my dependent work in Japan?" — Yes, but with a 28-hour weekly limit that requires a separate permit. Working beyond that limit is an immigration violation. See full work rights guide →
All guides supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士). Based on official ISA procedures and real casework. Last verified: June 2026.
🏛️ Supervised by a Licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士)
Based on official ISA guidelines and real casework. Reference: ISA: Dependent Status. Last updated: June 2026.
The Basics
What Is the Japan Dependent Visa?
The Dependent Status (家族滞在) allows foreign nationals to bring their immediate family members to live with them in Japan. It is designed for the spouse and children of people holding certain work, student, or other residence statuses.
The dependent visa is unique because it involves two parties with different roles and different concerns:
🏢
The Sponsor
The main visa holder in Japan
You hold a qualifying status (work visa, student visa, etc.) and want to bring your family. You are responsible for the application, the income requirements, and maintaining the status that "anchors" your family's visas.
Your spouse or unmarried child under 18 (in most cases). You receive the Family Stay (家族滞在) status, which allows you to live in Japan but has strict limits on work activities.
💡 Important: Parents generally do NOT qualify for dependent status
Japan's Family Stay status is limited to spouses and unmarried minor children. Parents, siblings, and other relatives do not qualify for dependent status under standard rules. Bringing parents to Japan requires a different approach — see the FAQ section for options.
Eligibility
Who Can Sponsor? Who Can Come?
Qualifying Sponsor Statuses
Not all visa holders can bring dependents. The sponsor must hold one of the following statuses:
Sponsor Status
Can Bring Dependents?
Notes
Engineer / Humanities / International (技人国)
✅ Yes
Most common sponsor status
Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)
✅ Yes
Also eligible to bring parents in some cases — see HSP guide
Business Manager (経営・管理)
✅ Yes
—
Intra-Company Transferee (企業内転勤)
✅ Yes
—
Student (留学)
✅ Yes
Income requirements apply — often harder to meet on student income
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (特定技能1号)
❌ No
SSW Type 1 cannot bring family to Japan
Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 (特定技能2号)
✅ Yes
SSW Type 2 can bring family
Permanent Resident / Spouse of Japanese National
N/A
These statuses have their own family-related pathways — dependent visa not applicable
Who Can Come as a Dependent
Family Member
Eligible?
Conditions
Spouse
✅ Yes
Legally married. Must prove genuine marriage (evidence of relationship required). Common-law/de facto relationships generally not eligible.
Unmarried minor children
✅ Yes
Biological or legally adopted children. Under 18 in most cases (may extend if in full-time education).
Parents
❌ Generally No
Not eligible under standard dependent rules. HSP status holders have a limited exception. See FAQ.
Siblings / other relatives
❌ No
Not covered by family stay status.
Income Requirement for Sponsors
There is no officially published income threshold for the dependent visa, but immigration officers assess whether the sponsor can financially support the family. Practical guidelines based on real cases:
Household
Approximate Income Guideline
Sponsor + 1 dependent
Approx. ¥2.5M–3M+ annual income recommended
Sponsor + spouse + 1 child
Approx. ¥3M–3.5M+ recommended
Sponsor + spouse + 2+ children
Approx. ¥3.5M+ recommended; more dependents = higher scrutiny
⚠️ Student sponsors face additional scrutiny
Students typically have limited income, which makes proving financial stability for a dependent application more difficult. Scholarship income, parental support funds sent from abroad, and savings can all be presented as supporting evidence. Consult a specialist if your income is low or irregular.
Most Asked Question
Can My Dependent Work in Japan?
This is the most frequently searched question about the dependent visa — and the most commonly misunderstood rule. The short answer: yes, but only part-time, and only with a separate permit.
Work Rights for Dependent Visa Holders
Default (no extra permit)
❌ No work permitted
Family Stay status alone does not permit any work activities. Without the 資格外活動許可, working at all is a violation.
With 資格外活動許可
✅ Up to 28 hours/week
With the permission for activities outside status, part-time work up to 28 hours per week is allowed. During designated school vacation periods, full-time work is permitted.
How to Get the Work Permit (資格外活動許可)
The Permission for Activities Outside Status (資格外活動許可) is typically applied for at the same time as the dependent visa itself, or can be applied for after arriving in Japan at the Immigration Bureau.
Apply at the same time as the dependent visa application — most efficient
Or apply separately at the Immigration Bureau after arrival in Japan
The permit is stamped on the back of the residence card or noted in the card data
Check the residence card carefully — the permit must be visible to legally begin work
🚨 Exceeding 28 hours is an immigration violation — with serious consequences
Working more than 28 hours per week (outside of designated vacation periods) while on dependent status is a violation of the status conditions. This can result in denial at next renewal, potential deportation proceedings, and long-term damage to the entire family's immigration record — including the sponsor's visa. Track hours carefully if your dependent is working part-time.
Want to Work Full-Time? Change of Status Required
If your dependent wants to work full-time in a professional role, the dependent visa is not the right status for that. They would need to change to an appropriate work status (e.g., Engineer/Humanities) based on their own qualifications and a job offer. This requires a Change of Status application.
You (the sponsor in Japan) apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at your local Immigration Bureau. List your dependent on the application. Processing: 2–4 months at Tokyo Bureau. Once issued, send the COE to your family member abroad. They use it to get a visa at the local Japanese embassy (1–2 weeks), then enter Japan.
Apply for the 資格外活動許可 (work permit) at the same time if your dependent will want to work part-time. This saves a separate trip to immigration after arrival.
🗾 Already in Japan — Change of Status to Dependent
If your family member is already in Japan on a different status (tourist, student, etc.), they can apply to change to dependent status without leaving Japan — provided you (the sponsor) have a qualifying visa and meet income requirements.
Important: Short-term stay (tourist visa) holders cannot generally change to dependent status from within Japan. They may need to leave and re-enter with the proper COE. Consult a specialist for your specific situation.
Dependent visa renewal is tied directly to the sponsor's visa status. The dependent's renewal application should be submitted around the same time as the sponsor's own renewal — typically 3 months before the expiry date on the dependent's residence card.
If the sponsor recently changed employers or had any compliance issues (tax gaps, social insurance problems), these will be reviewed during the dependent's renewal as well. The sponsor's status must still be valid and qualifying.
The 28-hour limit cannot be increased. To work full-time, your dependent must change to an appropriate work status (typically Engineer/Humanities if they have a university degree and a professional job offer). This requires a separate Change of Status application based on their own qualifications.
The dependent status and the work status cannot be held simultaneously — they must formally change status before starting full-time work.
⚠️ Sponsor Lost Job or Changed Status — Act Quickly
The dependent visa is anchored to the sponsor's status. If the sponsor loses their job, changes to a non-qualifying status, or has their own visa rejected, the dependent's visa basis is directly affected.
If the sponsor changes to a qualifying status: Notify ISA and update documents. The dependent's status continues. If the sponsor loses qualifying status: The dependent should consult an immigration specialist immediately. There is typically a grace period, but proactive action is essential to avoid overstay.
A child born in Japan to foreign national parents does not automatically receive Japanese citizenship (unless one parent is Japanese). The child needs their own residence status. You must:
① Register the birth at the municipal office within 14 days. ② Apply for a Status of Residence for the child at the Immigration Bureau within 30 days of birth. The child will typically receive Family Stay (dependent) status. Missing the 30-day window means the child is technically present without status — apply as soon as possible even if late.
👴 Bringing Parents — Not Available Under Standard Dependent Rules
Standard dependent (家族滞在) status does not cover parents. The main exception is Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) status holders — under certain conditions, HSP holders can invite one parent to Japan to assist with childcare.
For non-HSP holders, parents can visit Japan on short-term stay visas (up to 90 days in many cases) but cannot live long-term on a dependent visa. If long-term care arrangements are needed, consult a specialist about available options.
Company registration certificate (for Category 3/4 employer sponsors)
Dependent's Documents
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Change of Status form — ISA format
Dependent's passport
Photo — 4cm × 3cm, taken within 3 months
Document proving relationship to sponsor:
For spouse: marriage certificate + Japanese translation
For children: birth certificate + Japanese translation
Family register (戸籍謄本) if the marriage/birth is registered in Japan
Evidence of relationship genuineness (for spouse): photos, communication records, financial ties
💡 Adding the work permit application at the same time
If the dependent will want to work part-time (up to 28hrs/week), apply for the 資格外活動許可 at the same time as the COE or status change application. This avoids a separate trip to immigration after arrival and is the most efficient approach.
Children in Japan
Children Born in Japan — What You Need to Do
🚨 30-day deadline for immigration registration after birth
A child born in Japan to two foreign national parents must be registered with immigration within 30 days of birth. Missing this deadline does not mean the child is immediately in violation, but it does mean the child is present in Japan without a valid status — which should be corrected as quickly as possible.
Step-by-Step After Birth
Step
Action
Deadline
Where
1
Birth registration (出生届)
Within 14 days of birth
Municipal office (市区町村)
2
Apply for Status of Residence for the child
Within 30 days of birth
Regional Immigration Bureau
3
Receive residence card for the child
After approval
Immigration Bureau (or issued at hospital window in some regions)
4
Register child at municipal office with residence card
Within 14 days of receiving card
Municipal office
What Status Does the Child Receive?
If both parents are foreign nationals holding work or student visas, the child will typically receive Family Stay (家族滞在) status, matching the parent's qualifying status. If one parent is a Japanese national, the child has a right to Japanese nationality and should register that separately.
What About the Child's Passport?
A child born to foreign nationals in Japan does not automatically hold Japanese citizenship and needs a foreign passport. You must register the birth with your home country's embassy or consulate to have the child recognized as a national of your country, which is typically required before or alongside applying for the Japanese residence status.
When Things Change
What Happens to Dependents When the Sponsor's Status Changes
The dependent visa is directly linked to the sponsor's visa. Changes to the sponsor's status have immediate implications for the entire family.
Change in Sponsor's Situation
Impact on Dependent
Action Required
Sponsor changes employer (same visa category)
Minimal — dependent status continues
Sponsor files 14-day notification; dependent documents updated at next renewal
Sponsor's visa renewed normally
Dependent should renew at the same time
File dependent's renewal application alongside or shortly after sponsor's renewal
Sponsor upgrades to PR or Spouse of Japanese National
Dependent status basis changes
Dependent must change status — typically to the appropriate dependent category for the new sponsor status
Sponsor loses job and is between employers
Dependent status is at risk if job gap is prolonged
Sponsor should find new qualifying employment promptly; consult specialist if gap is long
Sponsor's visa rejected / loses qualifying status
Dependent's basis for status is undermined
Urgent — consult administrative scrivener immediately; dependent may need to change status independently
Sponsor and dependent divorce or separate
Dependent may lose basis for spouse-dependent status
Notify ISA within 14 days; dependent should pursue independent status (work visa, etc.) or depart
Reviewed by a licensed Administrative Scrivener based on real cases.
Stop the violation immediately and consult an administrative scrivener as soon as possible. Do not continue working beyond the permitted hours while the situation is being assessed. Depending on the extent and duration of the violation, options may include voluntary disclosure to immigration before the next renewal, or preparing a detailed explanation. This is a serious compliance issue that can affect the entire family's immigration status, including the sponsor's next renewal. Early proactive action is far better than waiting until renewal time.
Standard dependent (家族滞在) status does not cover parents. The main exception is for Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) visa holders, who may under certain conditions invite one parent to Japan to assist with childcare — this requires the sponsor to have a child under 7, meet income requirements, and the parent cannot work. For non-HSP holders, parents can visit Japan on short-term stay visas (up to 90 days depending on nationality) but cannot live here long-term on a dependent basis. Long-term co-living arrangements for parents generally require creative solutions — consult a specialist.
Yes. Every foreign resident in Japan — including dependents — must be enrolled in health insurance. Dependents are often added to the sponsor's employer health insurance as a dependent member (扶養) if the sponsor is enrolled in shakai hoken. If the sponsor is on national health insurance (国民健康保険), each family member must typically be enrolled separately at the municipal office. Health insurance gaps for dependents can surface at renewal reviews, just as they do for the sponsor.
Each family member has their own residence card with their own expiry date. It is most efficient to align renewal applications — submit both the sponsor's and dependent's renewal applications at the same time. After the sponsor's renewal is approved and the new expiry date is confirmed, the dependent's renewal can be processed with updated sponsor documents showing the current status. Some families find it helpful to set individual visa reminders for each card's expiry date.
Yes — student visa holders can apply to bring a spouse on a dependent visa. However, students typically have limited income, which means the income requirement review is stricter. Evidence of financial support from scholarship funds, parental remittances, or savings should be prepared. Additionally, the dependent spouse on a student's dependent visa would be limited to 28 hours per week of work with the 資格外活動許可 — same as any other dependent. Many student couples find this a difficult financial situation to sustain.
When the sponsor receives Permanent Residency, the dependent's visa status changes. A spouse of a PR holder can apply for "Spouse of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)" status, which has no work restrictions. Children can also change to the appropriate status. This is one of the major quality-of-life improvements that comes with a sponsor getting PR — the dependent family members gain work freedom as well.
Each family member has their own residence card with their own expiry date. Set a free visa reminder for each one so no renewal deadline is missed — for your whole family.
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