Bringing your family — Dependent visa

Who qualifies

The Dependent status covers a spouse or child supported by someone living in Japan on a status such as Business Manager, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, Professor or Student.

• Your own status must be one that allows dependents — Business Manager does
• You need to show you can support your family financially
• The period of stay is set case by case, up to 5 years

How to apply

1. 01

   From abroad 在留資格認定証明書

   Apply in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility for your family, then they get a visa at a Japanese embassy.

2. 02

   Already in Japan 在留資格変更

   Family members already in Japan on another status can apply to change to Dependent.

3. 03

   Renewals 在留期間更新

   Renew before the period ends — usually alongside your own renewal.

See Certificate of Eligibility for how the first step works.

Can your spouse work?

Not freely. A person on the Dependent status needs permission to engage in activity outside their status (資格外活動許可) before taking part-time work, and the permission comes with limits. The application has no fee.

If your spouse wants to work in your company full-time, they generally need a work status of their own. Ask an immigration gyoseishoshi.

FAQ

Sources

• Status of residence “Dependent” (家族滞在) — Immigration Services Agency
• Permission to engage in activity outside status (資格外活動許可申請) — Immigration Services Agency

This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.