Dependent Visa in Japan: Bring Your Spouse & Children [2026]

"Dependent" status lets a foreign national living in Japan on a work or student status bring their spouse and children. (It is different from the spouse visa for those married to a Japanese national.) This guide covers which statuses can sponsor family, work limits (28 hours/week), documents, period of stay and fees, plus what a child can do after high school.

① What the Dependent status is

It is for the spouse and children supported by a foreign national who holds certain statuses. Family of a Japanese national or permanent resident use a different status (Spouse, etc.).

② Statuses that can / cannot sponsor family

• Can (examples): Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, Professor, Researcher, Instructor, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker (ii), Student, etc.
• Cannot: Technical Intern Training, Specified Skilled Worker (i), Temporary Visitor, etc.

* For Specified Skilled Worker, (i) cannot bring family, but (ii) can.

③ Work is limited to "28 hours a week"

Dependents cannot work by default, but with permission to engage in activity outside status you may do a part-time job of up to 28 hours a week. To work full-time you must change to a work status.

④ Three application routes

• Bringing family from abroad: Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application → visa at an embassy → enter Japan
• Changing status in Japan: Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Extending: Application for Extension of Period of Stay

⑤ Main documents (COE example)

• COE application form, photo, reply envelope
• Proof of the family relationship with the sponsor (marriage/birth certificate, family register, etc.)
• Copy of the sponsor's residence card or passport
• Sponsor's proof of occupation and income (employment certificate, resident-tax certificates; for a student sponsor, bank balance or scholarship proof)

⑥ Period of stay & fees

• Period of stay: individually designated within a maximum of 5 years, according to the sponsor's period of stay
• Fees: the COE application is free. Change/extension cost 6,000 yen at the counter or 5,500 yen online from April 1, 2025 (formerly 4,000 yen)

FAQ

Can I work part-time on a Dependent visa?With permission to engage in activity outside your status, you can work up to 28 hours a week. To work full-time you must change to a work status.

Can Technical Intern or Specified Skilled Worker holders bring family?Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker (i) cannot bring family on a Dependent visa. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) can.

How long is the Dependent period of stay?It is individually designated within a maximum of 5 years, according to the sponsor's period of stay.

How can a child on a Dependent visa work after high school?If they entered Japan before 18, graduated from a Japanese high school and have a job offer, a change to “Long-Term Resident” or “Designated Activities” may be allowed.