Greetings, this is Takeuchi from IMS.
Today, I would like to provide an overview of the process for changing residence status to enable full-time employment for individuals currently residing in Japan under the "Dependent" status.
As detailed in our previous blog posts, the "Dependent" status typically applies to family members (such as spouses and children) of individuals who hold work or student visas, allowing these family members to reside in Japan alongside them. This residence status is primarily intended for "residing in Japan with a primary supporter (such as a parent or spouse)" and, thus, does not inherently permit employment.
As a dependent status, it assumes financial reliance on the primary visa holder. For individuals wishing to engage in work, an application for permission to engage in activities outside the visa status is required. Upon approval, employment is permitted for up to 28 hours per week. Additionally, as the "Dependent" status depends on the residence status of the primary visa holder, should the primary visa holder be required to leave Japan permanently (e.g., due to an overseas transfer), the spouse or child under the "Dependent" status may no longer reside in Japan under this visa. In such cases, the dependent must either leave Japan with the primary visa holder or apply for a change in residence status to remain in Japan.
Working Full-Time on a “Dependent” Visa Is Restricted…
As mentioned, holders of the "Dependent" visa may obtain permission to work up to 28 hours per week through authorization to engage in activities beyond the scope of their visa. This work limit, akin to part-time employment, may leave some individuals who wish to work more hours feeling constrained.
Graduates of Japanese universities or vocational schools may be eligible to change to an employment status, such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services," which permits full-time work. Furthermore, the Immigration Office has established a framework allowing individuals who fulfill specific requirements to change from "Dependent" status to "Long-Term Resident" or "Designated Activities" following high school completion.
When granted under this framework, a holder may change to the "Long-Term Resident" status, thereby enabling full-time employment without the educational requirements of the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa.
What Are the Criteria?
Changing from "Dependent" to "Long-Term Resident" status requires meeting all of the following criteria:
- Entered Japan with parents before the age of 17
- Completed elementary and junior high school education in Japan and graduated (or is expected to graduate) from high school
- Has continuously maintained the "Dependent" status since entering Japan
- Has secured employment (including an informal offer)
- Employment exceeds the scope of activities permitted by the 28-hour work limit ⇒ The applicant must demonstrate the capability to support themselves financially
- Has complied with residency reporting requirements and public obligations
What if the individual entered Japan beginning in high school?
In such cases, the individual must first change to "Designated Activities" status upon high school graduation. Following five years of residence in Japan, they may apply for a change to "Long-Term Resident" status.
The criteria for changing to "Designated Activities" differ slightly from those for "Long-Term Resident" status:
◆ If the applicant transferred into and graduated from high school, they must demonstrate Japanese language proficiency at the N2 level or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
◆ The applicant’s primary supporter must reside in Japan and act as a guarantor.
We hope that by utilizing this system, which allows full-time employment without requiring the criteria for the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa, more individuals will achieve economic independence, integrate as members of society, and thrive within Japanese society.
