Dependent visa (家族滞在) in Japan: requirements, work hours and renewal

The dependent visa Japan grants to families is the status of residence Dependent (家族滞在). It lets the spouse or child of a foreign resident on a work or student status live in Japan for a period of up to 5 years. Dependents can’t work freely, but with free permission from immigration they can work up to 28 hours a week. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

Who qualifies for a dependent visa in Japan?

The dependent must be the spouse or child of the sponsor and be supported (扶養) by them. Parents, siblings and other relatives are not covered. For parents, see bringing parents to Japan.

The sponsor must hold one of these statuses:

Specified Skilled Worker (i) and technical intern training are not on the list. If you hold one of those, your family can’t join you on this status. See our specified skilled worker guide for the (i) and (ii) difference.

If the sponsor is a Japanese national or a permanent resident, the matching status is different. Spouses of Japanese nationals use the spouse visa.

How much income does the sponsor need?

ISA does not publish a minimum income. It asks you to prove that the sponsor can support the family. The documents are:

• an employment certificate or business license
• the sponsor’s resident tax certificate (課税証明書) and tax payment certificate (納税証明書)
• or, mostly for students, a bank balance certificate or proof of a scholarship

If you are unsure whether your income is enough, a 行政書士 can review your documents before you apply. See our guide to resident tax for how to get the tax certificates at your city office.

Should you apply for a COE or a change of status?

It depends on where your family member is now.

ISA’s published average for Dependent certificates issued in August 2026 was 74.1 days, and 38.6 days for a change of status. A child born in Japan who will stay more than 60 days needs the acquisition application within 30 days of birth. Families raising children in Japan can also claim child allowance (児童手当).

Read our certificate of eligibility guide for the full process, or change of status if your family member is already here.

What documents do you need for a dependent visa?

ISA’s list for all application types includes:

• the application form and one photo
• proof of the family relationship: a family register, marriage certificate or birth certificate
• a copy of the sponsor’s residence card (在留カード) or passport
• the sponsor’s job and income documents listed above
• for a COE, a return envelope with postage for registered mail

Certificates issued in Japan must be issued within 3 months of submission. Documents not in Japanese need a Japanese translation. ISA’s page has a checklist, the form in PDF and Excel, and a filled-in sample for each application type.

Can you work on a dependent visa? The 28-hour rule

You need permission to engage in activity outside your status (資格外活動許可) before you start work. The comprehensive permission (包括許可) covers paid work within 28 hours per week. You only need the application form. It is free, and ISA’s standard period is 2 weeks to 2 months.

You can’t use it to work at adult-entertainment businesses (風俗営業). To set up a company, hire staff or run an office, you need to change to the Business Manager status instead.

You can apply online only together with a change of status, renewal or acquisition application. Otherwise, apply at the regional immigration office for your address.

How do you renew a dependent visa?

You apply for an extension of period of stay (在留期間更新許可申請) before your card expires. The sponsor’s latest employment and tax certificates go with the application. From October 1, 2026, the counter fee depends on the period granted: ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 years and ¥75,000 for 5 years. Online fees are lower. See visa renewal for the full table.

ISA’s average for Dependent renewals approved in August 2026 was 39.2 days. A spouse must also notify ISA within 14 days of a divorce or the sponsor’s death.

What happens when a dependent child grows up in Japan?

A child who goes to school in Japan can move to a status that allows full-time work. ISA describes two routes for people who entered Japan under 18 and have lived on Dependent since entry:

Both routes also require that you met obligations such as address notification. You can apply while still in high school and submit the graduation proof when the change is granted. For more on this status, see long-term resident visa.

More guides

Certificate of eligibility · Change of status · National Health Insurance · Bank accounts for foreigners · Renting an apartment