Japan Dependent Visa Guide 2026 — Bringing Family, Work Rights (28hr Rule) & Children Born in Japan | VisaSHOGUN
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
Based on official ISA guidelines and real casework. Reference: ISA: Dependent Status. Last updated: June 2026.
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:
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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
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.
What's Your Situation?
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.
COE Application Guide →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.
Change of Status Guide →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.
Visa Renewal Hub →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.
Change of Status — Dependent → Work →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.
Children Born in Japan — Full Guide →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.
HSP Visa — Parent Exception →Required Documents
Documents are required from both the sponsor (in Japan) and the dependent (applying). The sponsor's financial documents are particularly important.
Sponsor's Documents (prepared in Japan)
- Sponsor's residence card copy
- Sponsor's passport copy
- Employment certificate (在職証明書) — from employer
- Most recent withholding tax certificate (源泉徴収票)
- Residence tax certificate (住民税課税証明書)
- Residence certificate (住民票) showing sponsor's registered address
- 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
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 Born in Japan — What You Need to Do
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.
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 |
All Dependent Visa Guides
📋 Core Guides
🏠 Family Life & Compliance
Common Concerns
Dependent Visa FAQ
Reviewed by a licensed Administrative Scrivener based on real cases.
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Supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士) · Updated June 2026 · No spam, no sales calls
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