Family Stay (Dependent) Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Family Stay (Dependent) Visa (家族滞在)
Purpose	Accompany a long-term visa holder in Japan
Stay Length	Up to 5 years (matches principal holder)
Renewable	Yes, indefinitely if requirements met
Cost	COE free; visa sticker 15,000 JPY
Processing Time	1 to 3 months
Work Rights	Part-time (up to 28 hrs/week) with permit
Study Rights	Public schooling allowed for minor children
Medicare / Healthcare	Access to national health insurance system
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship Pathway	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Accompanying spouse and unmarried minor children
Visa Record	Residence Card (在留カード) / Residence Status (Zairyu Shikaku)

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Purpose & Overview

The Family Stay (Dependent) visa (家族滞在) allows spouses and unmarried minor children of foreign nationals residing legally in Japan on long-term visas (e.g., work, student, Highly Skilled Professional) to join and live with them. The dependent’s status and period of stay are directly tied to the primary visa holder.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible Dependents: Spouses and unmarried minor children.
• Eligible Sponsors: Foreign nationals holding qualifying long-term residence statuses (most work statuses, student visas, Highly Skilled Professional, Specified Skilled Worker Type 2).
  • Ineligible Sponsors: Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 holders cannot sponsor dependents.
• Sponsor Validity: The primary visa holder's visa must have at least 6 months of remaining validity.
• Financial Capability: The primary holder must demonstrate sufficient income to support the dependent.
• Documentation: Proof of valid family relationship and a valid passport.

Validity & Stay

• Validity Options: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or up to 5 years.
• Condition: The dependent's period of stay will not exceed that of the primary visa holder. It is renewable in tandem with the primary sponsor.

Costs & Fees

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application: Free
• Visa Sticker Issuance Fee: 15,000 JPY (single entry, effective from July 1, 2026)

Processing & Review Times

• Overall Processing Time: 1–3 months
• COE (from overseas): Average 68.7 days (30-month average: 83.9 days)
• Change of Status: Average 41.6 days (30-month average: 35.2 days)
• Renewal / Extension: Average 38.2 days (30-month average: 37.7 days)

Rights & Conditions

• Work Rights: Work is not permitted by default. Dependents can work part-time up to 28 hours per week after obtaining "Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted" (資格外活動許可). Work at adult entertainment establishments is strictly prohibited. Full-time work requires transitioning to a dedicated work visa.
• Education & Healthcare: Dependents can access the national health insurance system. Minor children are eligible to attend Japanese public elementary and junior high schools free of charge.

Required Documents

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
• Valid passport of the applicant.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Marriage certificate or birth certificate proving the family relationship.
• Copy of the primary holder’s residence card (在留カード) and passport.
• Proof of the primary holder’s employment or enrollment status.
• Proof of financial support (e.g., primary holder's income certificate or pay stubs).
• Household register extract or family registry (戸籍謄本) where applicable.
• Note: Non-Japanese documents must be officially translated into Japanese if necessary.

Application Steps

1. Verify Sponsor Eligibility: Confirm the principal visa holder's residence status permits dependents.
2. Collect Documentation: Gather and translate all proof of family relationships and financial support.
3. Apply for COE: Submit the COE application to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan or through an overseas Japanese diplomatic mission.
4. Visa Issuance: Submit the approved COE and visa application to the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
5. Arrival: Travel to Japan alongside or after the principal visa holder.
6. Municipal Registration: Register the dependent's residential address at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.

Common Transition Paths

• Work Visas (e.g., Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services): Switch to a work visa upon securing full-time employment.
• Permanent Resident: Apply for permanent residency if standard conditions are fulfilled.

Important Warnings

• Status Dependency: If the primary visa holder loses their job, departs Japan permanently, or divorces the dependent, the dependent's visa status is compromised and the Immigration Services Agency should be contacted immediately.
• Work Limits: Working beyond the 28-hour weekly limit is a violation monitored by the Immigration Bureau through tax records.

Official Resource

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Dependent Status