What is a family visa? Explaining the conditions for application and renewal and the necessary documents

Updated: July 2025, 4

What is a family stay visa?

A family visa is a status of residence that can be obtained by a spouse or child who is supported by a foreign national residing in Japan in order to live in Japan.
This status of residence is intended for family members of foreign nationals staying in Japan for the mid- to long-term, and does not apply to family members of those staying in Japan on short-term visas.

Specifically, this applies to spouses and children supported by foreign residents.
In order to obtain a family visa, you will need to prepare the necessary documents, such as documents proving the relationship between the applicant and the dependent (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate), and documents proving the dependent's occupation and income (e.g. employment certificate, resident tax certificate), and then complete the application process.

In addition, the period of stay for a family visa will be determined individually by the Minister of Justice (not to exceed five years).
If you wish to extend your period of stay, you will need to apply for permission to extend your period of stay and submit the necessary documents.

If a person residing in Japan on a family visa wishes to work, they are generally not permitted to do so. However, if they apply for and receive permission to engage in activities outside of their status of residence, they may be able to work up to 28 hours a week.
However, if you work without obtaining permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted under the visa, it may be considered illegal employment.
If you wish to work longer hours, you will need to change your residence status to one that allows you to work.

Applicable to the status of residence

The following statuses of residence are the conditions for a foreign family member to be granted a family visa:
　

Items that do not fall under the status of residence

• School attendance
• training
• Short term stay

Blood relatives other than spouses and children (e.g. parents, siblings, etc.) are generally not eligible for a dependent visa, but they may be approved if it is determined that there are special circumstances. There is also.

Conditions for those eligible for a family visa

spouse

Who can obtain a dependent visa?someone who is actually marriedThis cannot be obtained if you are divorced or in a common-law relationship.
However, the dependent can be either husband or wife.

Child

Either a biological child, an adopted child, or a recognized child, andminorA person can obtain a dependent visa.
However, if an adult is receiving dependents, they may be recognized as a child.

In the case of a stepchild of a spouse, to obtain a dependent visa,AdoptionIs required.
In addition, once your spouse and children begin to earn a certain amount of income, they will need to obtain a different visa rather than a family visa.

Important points when applying for a family visa

Can the main breadwinner (the person supporting the person you are bringing over) support his or her family?

For international students, we will check that you have regular remittances from your financial sponsor (such as remittances from your parents).
Part-time work wages are generally not included in living expenses.

For people with employment certification, such as company employees, it is confirmed that they have an annual income sufficient to live a stable life and pay resident tax.
Additionally, you may be asked to provide proof.
For example, if you are working based on a granted permission to engage in activities outside the scope of your status of residence, you will need to submit documents to prove that your activities are within the scope of your permission.
In addition, if your employment certification status is "Technical/Humanities/International" (also known as "Technical/Humanities"), an important point to check is whether you meet the established employment standards.

Is there a marriage or family situation?

Officially issued documentation is required to prove the relationship between the applicant and the person being brought to the country.
For example, marriage licenses, birth certificates, etc. must be validly issued according to the regulations of the country where they are obtained.
These documents are important in proving the authenticity of the relationship between the two parties.
In addition, submitting records of past email exchanges and common documents can also be effective in alleviating any concerns you may have about your relationship.
It is also possible to submit evidence that supports the existence of a shared life as residents, such as store receipts or shared photographs.

Are there any discrepancies with past applications?

It is also important to ensure that there are no problems with the visa application documents of the person you are inviting to Japan and that they are not violating any laws in Japan.
For example, an application may be considered to have discrepancies if the person has moved address in the past but has not supplemented that announcement.
In addition, the "writing method" used when renewing a family resident visa may also be reviewed to see if there are any missing details in the processing.

Can foreigners on family visas work?

If a foreigner residing in Japan on a family visa wishes to work, they must obtain permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the visa status granted by the government.
With this permission, you will be able to work up to 28 hours a week. However, you cannot work in the adult entertainment business.

There are two types of permission for activities outside the scope of your status of residence: "blanket permission" and "individual permission."
A general permit is granted for working up to 28 hours a week, without specifying a specific workplace or job content.
On the other hand, individual permission is granted for specific workplaces or business activities when the conditions of a general permission are not met.

If a family visa holder wishes to work, a blanket permit is usually applied for.
However, if you wish to work longer hours or in a specific occupation, you will need to change your residence status to one that allows you to work.
For example, if you wish to work in the nursing care field, you may consider changing to a nursing care visa.
　
When applying for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence ...
It is important to understand the application process and prepare the documents appropriately.
If you are unsure about the procedure, we recommend consulting a professional.
　
There are age and activity restrictions for working on a family visa. For example, special conditions may be imposed on employment for minors. In addition, you cannot work in the adult entertainment industry.

Period of stay of family stay visa

The period of stay for a dependent visa is5年、4年3ヶ月、4年、3年3ヶ月、3年、2年3ヶ月、2年、1年3ヶ月、1年、6ヶ月、3ヶ月Either
However, the period of stay of those residing in Japan on a family visa will be the same as that of their dependents.
Therefore, please note that when the dependent's period of stay expires, the period of stay of the person holding a family visa will also expire at the same time.

Extension of period of stay

Foreign nationals with a resident status can stay in Japan only for the period of stay granted, but they can extend their period of stay by applying for permission to extend their period of stay.
If you do not apply for renewal of the period of stay before the period of stay of your dependent visa expires, your stay will be considered illegal, so please remember to apply.
Normally, applications for extension of this period of stay can be made from three months before the expiry of the period of stay.

We handle the procedures for renewing the status of residence for the following people:

• Those who wish to obtain a longer period of stay than their current period of stay
• Those who are renewing their residence status for the first time after changing jobs
• Those who are busy with work or study and do not have time to complete renewal procedures

How to apply for a visa extension

An application for permission to extend the period of stay is a necessary procedure in order to continue the same activities as the current one even after the expiry date of the currently granted status of residence.
The application process is as follows:

When to apply
Before the expiration date of the period of stay

Time until permission is granted
2 weeks to 3 month

Required Documents for Family Stay Visa

When applying for a visa for a family stay, the required documents differ depending on whether you are applying for a certificate of residence status, applying for a change of status of residence, or applying for an extension of period of stay.

*The following documents are examples. Please note that additional documents may be required depending on your situation.

Application for issuance of Certificate of Eligibility

<Documents related to the applicant>

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Photo (4cm x 3cm)
• Documents verifying the relationship between the applicant and the supporter

<Documents related to dependents>

• Copy of residence card
• Resident tax taxation certificate
• Resident tax payment certificate

<Documents regarding the dependent's place of employment>

• Employment certificate or business license

<Other documents>

• Return envelope (with 404 yen stamp)

Apply for change of status of residence

<Documents related to the applicant>

• Application for permission to change status of residence
• Passport
• Residence card
• Documents verifying the relationship between the applicant and the supporter

<Documents related to dependents>

• Copy of residence card
• Resident tax taxation certificate
• Resident tax payment certificate

<Documents regarding the dependent's place of employment>

• Employment certificate or business license

Apply for extension of period of stay

<Documents related to the applicant>

• Application for permission to change status of residence
• Passport
• Residence card
• Documents verifying the relationship between the applicant and the supporter

<Documents related to dependents>

• Copy of residence card
• Resident tax taxation certificate
• Resident tax payment certificate

<Documents regarding the dependent's place of employment>

• Employment certificate or business license

The above documents are the minimum required documents, and even if you submit all of these documents, the immigration bureau may require you to submit additional documents, or your application may be refused due to insufficient documents.

The documents required to obtain a family visa vary on a case-by-case basis and applicants must demonstrate that they have what it takes to be granted permission.

Benefits for businesses

If it becomes possible to bring your family to Japan,Reduce the risk of foreign employees quitting due to family circumstancesWill be

Many foreign employees have a strong desire to live with their families.
For this reason, if an employee has family in their home country, it is not uncommon for them to leave their job after working for a certain period of time and wish to return to their home country.

By supporting foreign employees in bringing their families over, companies can prevent employees from leaving the company for family reasons, which ultimately increases the likelihood that employees will stay with the company for the long term.
For companies looking to provide stable employment, this initiative will be of great benefit.
It is important to fully understand how to utilize a family visa, especially if you are looking to pursue long-term employment.

Important points for companies when hiring foreign employees

When hiring a foreigner who is staying in Japan on a family visa, companies must pay attention to the following points:

First, check your residence card

When hiring, it is extremely important to check the residence status of the person in order to avoid illegal employment.

It is necessary to check whether the residence card is genuine and belongs to the person in question.
Be extra careful to rule out the possibility of a counterfeit card.

You will also need to confirm that your residence status is "family stay" and that your period of stay is valid.
You should also be aware that "family residence" status limits you to working only 28 hours a week.

In particular, they are not permitted to work in entertainment-related industries such as cabarets and snack bars.
If a company engages in inappropriate hiring, it may be charged with aiding illegal employment and the company will be subject to severe penalties.
This poses a significant risk to both employers and foreign employees.
It is important to remain vigilant and hire within reason.

Check for eligibility for family stay

Family visas are only granted to foreigners who hold certain residence status.
in particular,"Applicable to the status of residenceThis applies to spouses or children supported by foreign nationals with the abovementioned residence status.

In case of divorce

A family visa is issued on the condition that the person is supported by the other person, so if you get divorced, this condition will no longer be met.
As a result, you will no longer be able to stay in Japan on a family visa.

If you wish to continue staying in Japan after the divorce, you will need to go through the process of changing your residence status to one that allows you to work.
By obtaining the appropriate residence status, you will be able to continue living in Japan.

If you want to increase your working hours

In principle, a family visa limits working hours to 28 hours per week.
If you wish to work beyond this limit, you will need to change your residence status to one that allows you to work.

Specifically, you will need to go through the process of changing your residence status to "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" or similar.
This procedure requires an application for permission to change your status of residence.
Required documents include an application for permission to change residence status, documents related to the employer, and materials proving the details of the activities in Japan.

FAQ

Can a person with a dependent visa work in Japan?

Those with dependent status are allowed to live in Japan, but are not allowed to work.
For this reason, it is necessary to obtain permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted before starting work.
The Permit to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Permits allows you to work 28 hours a week, but please note that there are restrictions on the type of work you can do.

Can I bring my parents to Japan with a dependent visa?

Unfortunately, only the spouse or children of a person with Japanese residence status are eligible for a dependent visa.

If it is absolutely necessary to bring your parents to Japan, you will need to apply for a specific activity visa, or the person you are bringing will need to be recognized as a highly skilled worker.

Can I apply for a dependent visa even if my dependent's income is low?

When applying for a dependent visa, the income status of dependents will be checked.

Stability of income and tax status are also criteria, but it is possible to apply even if your dependent's income is small.

What should I be careful about when renewing my dependent visa?

The period of stay is basically set according to the valid period of the main livelihood.

Renewal applications will be accepted from 3 months before the expiry date of your stay.

Even if your application is denied, you may be able to get it renewed if you correct the problems and reapply, so we recommend that you renew your application as soon as possible.

I would like to have my child, who is staying on a dependent visa, receive an education in my home country.
In this case, will the dependent visa be renewed?

Dependent visas are issued with the assumption that you will be staying in Japan for a medium to long term, so it will be difficult to renew them if you leave the country to receive education in your home country.

How long does the review take?

Reviews are conducted in the order of applications and usually take 1 to 3 months.

However, if there are instructions for additional documents, it may take longer than 3 months.

If my application is rejected once, can I apply again?

You can try to apply as many times as you like, so we recommend that you reapply without giving up.

I understand that you have been denied permission in the past, but I believe that the reason was stated when you were notified of the denial by the Legal Affairs Bureau.

In order for an application to be approved, it is necessary to thoroughly clear the listed reasons for disapproval.

Case Studies of Support Provided by Our Company

◆Case 1◆　
I have a history of overstaying, can I get a dependent visa?

・Consultation from a Chinese woman (30s).
・My Chinese husband had previously returned to Japan after being ordered to leave the country due to overstay.
・My husband is currently living in China.
・It has been five years since my husband left the country.
・He wanted to live together in Japan somehow, so he came to our office for consultation.

If you leave the country with a departure order, you will be prohibited from landing for one year. In this case,It has already been 5 years since I left the country.So I told them in the first interview that there was a good chance.
However, a criminal record that violates the law will never be erased., "Prove that there is no problem in re-landing in Japan."That is the point of this application.

To that end, please consider the following three points:Explain carefully　
・Reason for overstaying
・Life and state of mind before appearing in court
・Situation of life in home country and summary/reflection so far

As a result, we were successfully granted permission.

As a later story, shortly after meeting the requirements, this couple asked us to apply for permanent residence, and we are currently in the process of preparing the documents.

I didn't know much about visas, so I thought my husband would never be able to enter Japan.

I called with the intention of just asking, but the person in charge was very responsive and explained in an easy-to-understand manner the grounds on which the visa might be granted.

So I decided to request it. I received permission without any problems, and I'm glad I requested it.

◆Case 2◆　
If two international students get married, can they change from an international student visa to a dependent visa?

・Consultation from a Chinese woman (20s).
・I got married to an international student I met while staying on a student visa while still enrolled at university.
・I will be graduating this spring.
・My husband is currently in university (4th year in the new year).
・I want to change to a dependent visa to live with my husband in Japan.

I prepared the application documents after checking the following three points.
・Situation of the living expenses of the spouse who will bear the living expenses from the time of entering Japan to the present.
・Part-time work hours must be within the scope of permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.
・Marriage history and relationship with family

For applications from international students already in Japan:Examining residence statusThis has the advantage of being able to check their living records, but on the other hand, if there are any violations, there will be a strict examination, so the couple had no problems, but until the examination results come out, it is important to follow the rules. I was asking for it.

Since I received a large amount of money transferred at once for living expenses, I was instructed to provide additional documents to confirm the usage status, and although it took some time, the transfer was successfully approved.

I was surprised to hear that the application documents and receipt of living expenses will be checked during the screening process.

My parents sent me a lump sum of money for this visa change, but they also told me that this was a negative point, and also taught me other things that would be useful for my future life.

I was advised that my living situation during the screening process would affect the screening process, so I lived quietly until I received permission, but it was worth it.

◆Case 3◆　
Renewal was not allowed because I exceeded my working hours in an activity other than that permitted.

・Consultation from a Chinese man (40s) on a dependent visa.
・My Chinese wife is staying on a working visa.
・I was working part-time beyond the hours permitted by my permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.
・I applied for renewal of my dependent visa on my own, but it was rejected.
・I am thinking of asking an expert to reapply.

The reason for not being approved isWorking beyond the hours permitted by the Permit to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.
In a case like this, the person's remorse alone is insufficient to prove this,It is important to objectively and clearly state the following two points.
・When reapplying, explain the reason for exceeding working hours and measures to prevent recurrence.
・Future improvement plans

By having a hearing with your employer and clearly explaining in writing why you exceeded your working hours and what measures you will take to prevent it from happening again, you can reapply for permission. became.

I thought I would have to return to my home country after receiving the rejection notice, but I remember feeling relieved when I was told to do my best because I could reapply if I corrected the reason for the rejection.
From now on, I will live my life by following the rules. thank you very much!

◆Case 4◆　
I am currently studying abroad in Japan and would like to bring my wife from China.

・Consultation from a Chinese man (20s).
・Currently staying in Japan on a student visa.
・Scheduled to enter graduate school next spring.
・I want to bring my wife from China and live with her in Japan for the long term.

Although it is often misunderstood,Spouses of international students require a “dependent visa”.
The point of this application isHow to prove your livelihood (balance between income and living expenses)That's the part.

Hand-delivery of money like in this case does not prove that living expenses are being paid. Since there is not enough proof of transfer, there is a high possibility that your application will be rejected if you apply with normal documents.
Therefore, by communicating directly with the relatives,Check the actual status of receiving living expensesIn order to make the proof more effective,Submit additional documentsI decided to do it.

Additionally, my husband's guarantor was not his parents in his home country, but a relative in Japan, so by carefully explaining this situation in the application form, we were able to obtain permission.

I had heard that it was difficult to obtain dependent visas for international students, and I had seen others around me being denied visas, so I was worried.
I felt that he was a professional as he wrote a statement of reasons for my application that went beyond what I had expected to explain. His wife has safely arrived in Japan, so he is studying hard with peace of mind.

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