• What is a Dependent Visa
• Who Is Eligible / Not Eligible
• Required Documents & Procedure
• Our Office’s Strengths
• Common Cases
• Fee Schedule
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Dependent Visa

“Dependent” is a status of residence for the spouse and children who are financially dependent on a foreign national holding a work-related or student status of residence.
Unlike a spousal visa, which applies to those who marry a Japanese national, its distinguishing feature is that it’s a status of residence based on being a dependent family member of the foreign national — not on marriage to a Japanese national.

Your period of stay is tied to the type and duration of the supporting family member’s (the “principal’s”) status of residence. Working is generally not permitted, but by obtaining a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” part-time work of up to 28 hours per week becomes possible.

Note that only the spouse and children living with the principal are eligible to come to Japan on a Dependent Visa — parents and siblings are not included.

Who Is Eligible / Not Eligible

Whether you can use the “Dependent” status depends on the type of status of residence held by the principal (the person being depended on). Since we receive many inquiries specifically from Technical Intern Trainees, let’s clarify this point first.

Principal’s Status of Residence	Family Accompaniment	Notes
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services	Yes	The most common case
Specified Skilled Worker (ii)	Yes	The eligible fields are expanding
Specified Skilled Worker (i)	Generally No	Family accompaniment is not provided for under this system
Technical Intern Training	No	Family accompaniment is not provided for under this system
Student	Yes	Limited part-time work for the family is also possible with permission to engage in other activities
Highly Skilled Professional	Yes	Accompaniment by a parent, etc. may also be permitted if requirements are met

Under the current system, Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Technical Intern Training are not eligible for “Dependent” status.
If you’re considering switching from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) or to an Engineer/Humanities/International visa, there are cases where bringing your family becomes possible after the switch — so please consult us about your current status of residence together with your future outlook.

Required Documents & Procedure

Applying for a Dependent Visa falls broadly into two patterns, depending on whether the principal is already residing in Japan.

The Procedure (Common to Both Patterns)

• Initial consultation (confirming the principal’s status of residence and income situation)
• Gathering and preparing required documents
• Filing with the Immigration Services Agency
• Receiving the residence card after approval

Document gathering often requires the cooperation of the principal’s workplace, such as for their tax certificate or certificate of employment. Our office also guides you through the process when coordination with the principal’s employer is needed.

Our Office’s Strengths

代Our representative, as a staff member of a supervisory organization supporting the acceptance of technical intern trainees, spent a long time in contact with foreign nationals working in Japan apart from their families.
He has firsthand experience seeing, in the field, just how much weight “working apart from family” carries for the person and their family — beyond the paperwork itself.
The review for a Dependent Visa mainly involves what looks like administrative document work — confirming the principal’s residence status and income — but behind it lies the earnest wish to “live together with family.”
Our office doesn’t just prepare the paperwork — we also provide consultation looking ahead to a later permanent residency application, or a switch to a spousal visa if you go on to marry a Japanese national.

Fee Schedule

These are the main fees related to Dependent Visa procedures.
Additional fees may apply depending on your individual circumstances, so please contact us for details.

Service	Fee	Notes
Inviting a Foreign National From Overseas “Application for Certificate of Eligibility”	￥121,000
Change of Visa Type “Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence”	￥110,000	e.g., Student → Dependent, Dependent → Spousal Visa
Extend Your Visa “Application for Extension of Period of Stay”	￥55,000	When there’s no significant change in circumstances since your last application
Extend Your Visa (with a change in circumstances) “Application for Extension of Period of Stay”	￥104,500	When circumstances have changed since your last application — e.g., a job change or divorce involving the principal
Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (Dependent)	￥19,800	Needed for those on “Student” or “Dependent” status who wish to work part-time, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

On a Dependent Visa, can my spouse or child work?

Working isn’t generally permitted, but by obtaining a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” part-time work of up to 28 hours per week becomes possible.

If the principal’s income is low, will a Dependent Visa be denied?

The principal’s income is one important factor in the review, but the assessment varies depending on household composition and living circumstances. Please consult us first about your current situation.

Can I bring a parent to Japan on a Dependent Visa?

Generally, no. A Dependent Visa is limited to the principal’s spouse and children.

Can I keep living in Japan indefinitely on a Dependent Visa?

Renewal is possible as long as the principal’s status of residence continues, but a change to the principal’s status, divorce, or similar circumstances can mean the Dependent status itself can no longer continue. We recommend consulting us with an eye toward a future permanent residency application or a switch to a spousal visa.