If you are planning to bring your family to Japan, join a spouse in Japan, or live in Japan with your family, the appropriate status of residence will depend on your family relationship and the status held by the person you are joining.
This FAQ covers common questions about Dependent status, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, including family reunification, work permission, divorce, separation, children, and permanent residence.
For an overview of family-related residence statuses, please see our Dependent & Spouse Visa Application Services.
Bringing Your Family to Japan
Q1. Who is eligible for a Dependent visa in Japan?
The Dependent status of residence is generally available to a spouse or child who is financially supported by a foreign national residing in Japan under an eligible status of residence.
A legally married spouse and dependent children may qualify. Parents, siblings, and other relatives are generally not eligible for Dependent status.
The principal resident must also hold a status of residence that permits dependents. Not every status of residence allows family members to obtain Dependent status.
Immigration will also consider whether the principal resident has sufficient income or financial resources to support the family member in Japan.
Related information:
Dependent Visa in Japan
Q2. Can I bring my spouse and children to Japan on my work visa?
In many cases, yes.
Foreign nationals holding certain work-related statuses of residence may bring their legally married spouse and dependent children to Japan under Dependent status.
However, eligibility depends on the status of residence held by the principal resident. For example, some work-related statuses permit dependents while others are subject to different rules.
Immigration will also review whether you have sufficient financial ability to support your family in Japan.
If your family members are currently overseas, the usual procedure is to first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for each eligible family member.
Q3. Can I bring my parents to Japan as dependents?
As a general rule, no.
Japan's Dependent status normally applies to the spouse and children of an eligible foreign resident. Parents are not included in the ordinary Dependent category.
However, limited exceptions may be available under certain immigration programs, such as some Highly Skilled Professional arrangements, when specific conditions are satisfied.
Because bringing a parent to Japan for long-term residence is significantly more restricted than bringing a spouse or child, the appropriate immigration option should be reviewed individually.
Q4. Can my family apply for a Dependent visa from overseas?
Yes.
When an eligible spouse or child is living outside Japan, the standard procedure is generally to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan first.
After the COE is issued, the family member normally applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence.
Once the visa is issued, the family member can travel to Japan and undergo landing examination upon arrival.
The required documents and examination may vary depending on the principal resident's status, family relationship, financial circumstances, and other factors.
Q5. Does my family need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
For a spouse or child entering Japan from overseas for medium- or long-term residence, a Certificate of Eligibility is generally used as part of the standard application process.
The COE confirms that the intended activities and family relationship have been examined in advance for the requested status of residence.
For a Dependent application, documents will normally be required to show both the family relationship and the principal resident's ability to financially support the applicant.
If the family member is already legally residing in Japan under another status, a Change of Status of Residence may be applicable instead of a COE application.
Q6. What documents are required for a Dependent visa?
The required documents vary depending on the circumstances, but commonly include:
- Application form
- Photograph of the applicant
- Documents proving the family relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate
- Documents concerning the principal resident's status in Japan
- Employment or occupational documents of the principal resident
- Documents showing income, tax payments, savings, scholarships, or other financial resources
- Additional documents requested by Immigration depending on the case
Documents issued overseas may also require a Japanese translation.
The appropriate evidence depends on whether the sponsor is employed, self-employed, a student, or supported by another source of funds.
Related information:
Dependent Visa Requirements and Documents
Q7. How long does it take to get a Dependent visa in Japan?
Processing times vary depending on the type of application, the Immigration office, the applicant's circumstances, and whether additional documents are requested.
For family members applying from overseas, the Certificate of Eligibility process may take from several weeks to several months.
After the COE is issued, a separate visa application is generally made at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas.
Applications involving questions about financial support, family relationships, or incomplete documentation may require additional examination.
We recommend beginning the process well before the family's planned relocation to Japan.
Spouse Visas in Japan
Q8. What visa can I get if I am married to a Japanese citizen?
If you are legally married to a Japanese national and intend to live together in Japan, you may be eligible for the status of residence
Spouse or Child of Japanese National.
Marriage to a Japanese national does not automatically change your immigration status. You must submit the appropriate application and receive permission from the Immigration Services Agency.
Immigration will examine whether the marriage is legally valid and whether there is a genuine marital relationship. Documents concerning your relationship history, living arrangements, finances, and other circumstances
may be required.
Related information:
Spouse or Child of Japanese National
Q9. What visa can I get if I am married to a Permanent Resident of Japan?
If you are legally married to a person who holds Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident status, you may be eligible for the status of residence Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.
As with a spouse of a Japanese national, the residence status is not granted automatically simply because the marriage has been registered.
Immigration will examine the validity and substance of the marriage, the couple's living arrangements, financial circumstances, and other relevant factors.
If you are currently overseas, a Certificate of Eligibility application will generally be used. If you are already residing in Japan under another status, a Change of Status of Residence may be possible.
Q10. Can I work in Japan on a Spouse visa?
Yes.
A person holding Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status is generally not subject to the same occupational restrictions that apply to ordinary work-related statuses.
This means you can generally work full-time or part-time, change employers, work in different industries, or operate a business without obtaining separate permission to engage in activities outside your status.
However, your residence status is based on your family relationship, so changes such as divorce or the breakdown of the marital relationship can affect your immigration situation.
Working and Studying as a Dependent
Q11. Can I work in Japan on a Dependent visa?
Not automatically.
The primary purpose of Dependent status is to live in Japan while being financially supported by the principal resident. Employment is therefore not automatically authorized.
However, a Dependent may apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.
If permission is granted, employment may be possible within the scope and working-hour limits stated in the permission.
You should obtain the required permission before beginning paid work.
Q12. How many hours can I work on a Dependent visa?
A person holding Dependent status who has obtained comprehensive permission to engage in activities outside their status can generally work for up to 28 hours per week.
If you have more than one job or other paid activity, the total working time across all activities must remain within the permitted weekly limit.
The exact scope of your permission should always be confirmed on your residence card and other immigration documents.
Since October 1, 2026, holders of Dependent status may also apply for individual permission to work at certain amusement-business establishments, including pachinko parlors, when the applicable requirements are satisfied. The total amount of work performed under all permissions must still remain within 28 hours per week.
Q13. Do I need permission to work on a Dependent visa?
Yes.
A Dependent visa itself does not authorize ordinary paid employment. You must obtain appropriate permission from the Immigration Services Agency before engaging in income-generating activities outside the activities permitted by your Dependent status.
Depending on the type of work, this may be a comprehensive permission covering certain activities within the 28-hour weekly limit, or an individual permission specifying a particular activity or employer.
Working outside the scope of your permission may negatively affect future immigration applications and may constitute unauthorized activity.
Q14. Can I change from a Dependent visa to a Work visa?
Yes, if you independently meet the requirements for an appropriate work-authorized status.
For example, if you receive a qualifying professional job offer and satisfy the educational, professional, and other requirements for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, you may apply for a Change of Status of Residence.
Eligibility is assessed based on your own job duties, education or professional experience, employment conditions, and employer.
Receiving a job offer alone does not automatically qualify you for a work status.
For more information, please see our
Work Visa in Japan – Frequently Asked Questions.
Q15. Can I study in Japan on a Dependent visa?
Yes, in many cases.
A person holding Dependent status may attend school or other educational institutions in Japan.
However, if studying becomes the primary purpose of your stay, or if you need access to benefits or programs available specifically to students, changing to Student status may be appropriate.
The appropriate status will depend on your educational program and individual circumstances.
Divorce, Separation, Children & Permanent Residence
Q16. What happens to my visa if I divorce my Japanese spouse?
If you hold Spouse or Child of Japanese National status and divorce your Japanese spouse, you must generally notify the Immigration Services Agency of the divorce
within 14 days.
Your status of residence does not automatically disappear on the date of divorce. However, because the basis for your spouse status has ended, you should promptly consider whether you qualify for another status of residence if you wish to continue living in Japan.
If a person holding spouse status does not continue activities as a spouse for six months or more, the status may become subject to revocation unless there is a justifiable reason.
Depending on your circumstances, another status such as a work-related status or Long-Term Resident may be considered, but eligibility must be assessed individually.
Related article:
I Might End Up Divorced – What Will Happen to My Status of Residence in Japan?
Q17. What happens to my visa if I separate from my spouse?
Separation does not automatically terminate a legal marriage, but it can affect immigration procedures for a spouse-based status of residence.
Immigration generally expects a person holding spouse status to be engaged in a genuine marital relationship. Living separately for a significant period may therefore require an explanation, particularly when applying for an extension of the period of stay.
There may be legitimate reasons for living separately, including domestic violence, work or family circumstances, child-rearing arrangements, or ongoing divorce mediation or litigation.
Immigration assesses these cases individually, so it is important to keep documents that explain the reason for the separation and the actual state of the relationship.
Q18. Does living separately affect my Spouse visa renewal?
It can.
When renewing a spouse-based status, Immigration may examine whether the marriage continues to be genuine and whether the couple is actually maintaining a marital relationship.
If you and your spouse live at different addresses, you may be asked to explain:
- Why you are living separately
- How long you have been separated
- Whether you remain financially and personally connected
- Whether you intend to resume living together
- Whether divorce proceedings or other circumstances are involved
Living separately does not automatically result in denial. However, the reasons and supporting evidence can be important.
Q19. What status of residence does a child born in Japan need?
The answer depends on the child's nationality and the parents' immigration status.
If a foreign-national child is born in Japan and will remain in Japan for more than 60 days, an application to acquire a status of residence must generally be submitted within 30 days of birth.
The appropriate status may depend on whether the parent is a work-status holder, Permanent Resident, Japanese national, or holds another status.
Children born to Permanent Residents in Japan may be subject to different procedures and residence-status options from children entering Japan from overseas.
Related article:
Japanese Child and Child of a Permanent Resident
Q20. Can a spouse of a Japanese citizen apply for Permanent Residence?
Yes, if the applicable requirements are satisfied.
Under Japan's Permanent Residence guidelines effective from October 1, 2026, a spouse of a Japanese national, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident may qualify for an exception to the ordinary 10-year residence requirement when:
- The couple has maintained a genuine marital relationship for at least 5 years; and
- The applicant has continuously resided in Japan for at least 3 years.
Meeting these residence-period conditions does not automatically guarantee Permanent Residence. Immigration will also examine other applicable requirements, including the applicant's residence history, conduct, public obligations, household circumstances, and compliance with immigration requirements.
Because Permanent Residence rules changed in October 2026, it is particularly important to confirm the current requirements before filing an application.
Related information:
Permanent Residence in Japan
Need Help With a Family or Spouse Visa in Japan?
Family-related residence applications can differ significantly depending on the status of the principal resident, nationality, marriage history, financial situation, children, and whether the applicant is currently inside or outside Japan.
Divorce, separation, changes in employment, and changes in the family's residence status can also affect the appropriate immigration procedure.
IMS Legal Professional Corporation provides support for Dependent, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, and other Japanese immigration procedures.
Contact IMS for a consultation
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes. Immigration requirements and procedures may change, and individual applications are assessed according to their specific circumstances. Please confirm the latest requirements before applying.
