Perhaps the most popular article on this blog at this point is my guide on How to Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility and Spouse Visa for Japan. But I often get questions there about Japanese Dependent Visas, as well.
This article, I hope, will make that process clear.
How to Get a Dependent Visa to Bring Your Family to Japan
Of course, we all want to live together with our family. But when you first come to Japan, it can be hard to understand how to do that. If you have one of the Residence Status listed below, you will be able to apply for a Dependent Visa for your spouse and children.
First, let’s get clear on who you can bring to Japan on a dependent visa.
- Your (legally married) spouse
- Your (legal) children
Who Cannot be Your Dependent
You cannot apply for a Dependent Visa for a parent or other relative, regardless of whether or not they depend on you for income.
You cannot apply for a Dependent Visa for a fiance.
You cannot apply for a Dependent Visa for your spouse’s children from previous marriages if you have not legally adopted them as your own.
Statuses Eligible to Apply for Dependent Visas
Almost all international residents in Japan are eligible to bring their family to Japan as Dependents. As long as your Residence Status is in the list below, you’ll be able to apply.
- 教授 Professor
- 芸術 Artist
- 宗教 Religious Activities
- 報通 Journalist
- 高度専門職 Highly Skilled Professional
- 投資・経営 Investor/Business Manager
- 法律・会計業務 Legal/Accounting Services
- 医療 Medical Services
- 研究 Researcher
- 教育 Instructor
- 技術・人文知識・国際業務 Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- 企業内転勤 Intra-company Transferee
- 介護 Nursing Care
- 興行 Entertainer
- 技能 Skilled Labor
- 文化活動 Cultural Activities
- 留学 Student*
Additional Criteria for Student Residence Status Holders
If you are living in Japan on a Student status, then the type of school you are attending determines whether or not you can apply for a dependent visa for your family.
| Types of Schools that Can apply for a Dependent Visa | Types of Schools that Cannot apply for a Dependent Visa |
|---|---|
| Graduate School (Doctor, Master, or Research Student) 大学院（博士、修士、研究生） |
Advanced Vocational School (Specialized Course, Higher Course, General Course) 専修学校（専門課程、高等課程、一般課程） |
| University (Undergraduate, Auditor, Elective Course Student, Research Student, Japanese Language Course Student) 大学（学部生、聴講生、科目等履修生、研究生、別科性） |
Japanese Language Institution (Advanced vocational school of specialized course, preparatory courses, others) 日本語教育機関 （専修学校専門課程、準備教育課程、その他） |
| Junior College (Regular Student, Auditor, Elective Course Student, Japanese Language Course Student) 短期大学（学科生、聴講生、科目等履修生、別科性） |
Senior High School, Junior High School, Elementary School 高等学校、中学校、小学校 |
| Technical School 高等専門学校 |
You’ll see that there are several options for Japanese language, so if you are in Japan studying Japanese, you may wonder which applies to you. The simple answer is to look at your institution. If the institution is a university or junior college (i.e. if it also grants associates degrees or higher in other fields), then you would be eligible to apply for a Dependent Visa. If you are studying Japanese at an advanced vocational school or at a dedicated Japanese language school, you would not be eligible to apply for a Dependent Visa.
Other Residence Statuses
Someone who is living in Japan as a Dependent cannot have their own Dependent.
There are a few other statuses, such as Trainee and Designated Activities, that are not eligible to bring family members.
Other statues, such as Spouse of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Diplomat, etc., have other methods to bring their family members to Japan and will not need the Dependent Visa process.
Can I Bring my Family With Me to Japan at the Same Time?
It depends on your employer.
Certain types of companies in Japan have special authorization to accelerate their Certificate of Eligibility application process for foreign employees and simultaneously apply for Dependent Visas for their spouses. Those companies are able to get Certificates of Eligibility for both the employee and the dependents within about 2 weeks from application.
If you are coming to Japan as a student, researcher, or working for anything less than a large enterprise, then you will not be able to bring your dependents to Japan at the same time as you. After you arrive in Japan, you will have to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for your dependents so they can join you Japan. That application process can take up to three months. Skip down to the instructions below.
What Companies Can Apply Simultaneously for Dependent Visas?
According to the Ministry of Justice, companies designated as Category 1 or Category 2 are eligible for the accelerated Certificate of Eligibility application process, provided that they are paying you enough to support your family members as well.
Category 1 and 2 companies must be “of a certain size” and make their present operating situation clear through public documentation. Specific examples include:
Category 1
- Companies listed on the Japanese stock exchange
- Mutual insurance companies
- National or regional public organizations (公共団体 kokyo dantai)
- Independent administrative institutions (独立行政法人 dokuritsu gyosei hojin), Special public corporations (特殊法人 tokushu hojin), Specially-authorized corporations (特別認可法人 tokubetsu ninka hojin), Public organization-authorized public service organizations (公益法人 koeki hojin)
- Tax-exempt public benefit corporations listed in Table 1 of the tax exempt corporations list.
Category 2: Individuals or organizations that paid over 15,000,000 yen in income tax during the previous fiscal year.
If you are to be employed in Japan and want to know if your company can apply simultaneously for your dependents’ certificates of eligibility, the best thing to do is ask them directly!
Applying for a Dependent Visa Yourself
If you have to bring your family to Japan yourself, you will need to start with applying for their Certificate of Eligibility. Approval can take up to three months, so get started as soon as you can after you arrive in Japan.
As usual with the Immigration Bureau, the information available in English is vague. The requirements below are translated from the Japanese webpage:
Dependent Certificate of Eligibility Required Documents
- Completed application form. You can download the form from the Immigration Bureau website.
- One ID-quality photo: 30mm wide by 40mm high, showing the applicant (your dependent) from the chest up, facing forward, with no hats or background.
Write the applicant’s name on the back and attach it to the application form in the designated spot - One self-addressed reply envelope with 392 yen in stamps attached.
- One of the following documents to prove your relationship:
- Family Register
- Certificate of acceptance of registration of marriage
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Any other document that can be accepted as meeting the requirements of the previous items
Note: Any documents in a foreign language must have a Japanese translation attached.
- Copy of the supporter’s (you) Residence Card or passport. (Submit copy of the Residence Card if you have it!)
- Proof of employment/activity and financial resources.
- If the supporter is engaged in business management or income-generating activities:
(a) 1 copy of certificate of employment or business license (must show supporter’s occupation); and
(b) Certificate of Residence Tax amount and payment showing one full year of tax payment. (Acquired from the City Hall where you resided as of Jan 1.
*If you have not been in Japan long enough to acquire a Certificate of Residence Tax showing a full year of tax, consult with the Immigration Bureau. A certificate of employment with salary may be sufficient. - If supporter is not employed or earning income through operating a business:
(a) A bank account balance statement in the supporter’s name or scholarship award statement showing the amount of award and period of payment.
(b) Documents equivalent in nature to (a) that show proof of sufficient finances for the applicant to be able to meet their expenses while in Japan.
- If the supporter is engaged in business management or income-generating activities:
- Proof of identity, in case of application by proxy.
It is acceptable to fill out the application form in English, but all documents submitted as evidence must be in Japanese or be accompanied by a translation.
Financial Resources for your Dependent
As a general rule, 80,000 yen per month is considered sufficient resources for one person. Since you will be living with your dependent, you don’t need to double that for each person, but count on adding at least 40,000 for a spouse and a little less than that for each child (depending on their age).
As an example, I know of MEXT scholars who were successful in bringing a spouse and two children to Japan with a total income of 145,000 yen.
The Dependent Residence Status does not allow your spouse or children to work in Japan, so you need to plan to support them from your income. Your spouse will be eligible to apply for a work permit (called “Permission to Engage in Activities Other than that Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted”), but they will be limited to working no more than 28 hours per week. This is not going to be enough for your spouse to support him/herself.
A dependent is able to search for a full time job and use that to apply to change to a working residence status. However, finding a full-time job in Japan is quite difficult without some level of fluency in the language.
All of that will come later, once your spouse is in Japan. But it’s a good idea to have a clear understanding of your financial situation in advance.
Applying for the Japanese Dependent Visa
Once you have your spouse and/or child’s Certificate of Eligibility, you will need to send it to them so they can apply for their visa in your home country.
I recommend making a photocopy first and sending the Certificate by a reliable courier service. Your spouse/child will need the original Certificate of Eligibility to apply for the visa. The photocopy can help you apply for reissuance of the Certificate if it gets lost in the mail.
Visa requirements vary by country, so be sure to check the website of the Japanese Embassy in your country!
Making Travel Arrangements
Once you have the Certificate of Eligibility, your spouse’s dependent visa is all but guaranteed, so it’s safe to start making his or her travel arrangements to Japan.
Your spouse/child must arrive in Japan within 3 months of the date of issue on the Certificate of Eligibility (regardless of whether the visa has a later expiration date or not).
Congratulations! Your family will be together in Japan soon!
As always, please leave any questions or comments below and I will reply as soon as possible.
Hi there. I have asked and emailed many schools and other websites but I still couldn’t find the actual answers. May I ask a straight forward question. I have a son at the age of 16. We would like to send him to study in International School Japan completing his IB program, can a mother accompany him if he is granted a student visa. A few school said yes but many said no. Hope you can provide some clarity here. Thanks.
Hi Brad Lee,
I am not an immigration lawyer or professional in the field, so I cannot give you official advice. I have experience dealing with CoE and visa applications for Spouse and Dependent residence statuses, which is what I based my articles one, but your situation does not fall into either of those categories.
I am not aware of a specific visa category that would apply to your situation. There might be something under the varied category of “Designated Activities/特定活動”, but I cannot say for sure. If a school says that it is possible and that they have experience securing a visa for a parent, then I would have to rely on their judgement. Consider that some schools might not be willing to help you apply for the visa (I assume the school would have to apply for your CoE on your behalf and be your sponsor in Japan, which is a lot to ask), so if some schools are telling you it is possible and some are telling you that it isn’t, it might be that the latter group has a policy not to support these kinds of visas.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello your article is so useful but I still have a question that I hope you’d help answer.
I am applying for undergraduate studies (English taught programmes) in Japan. If accepted, I understand I can apply for dependent visas for my children under my student visa so they can attend an international elementary school.
Can I apply for their dependent visas while still in Scotland without a COE? This would be the easiest option for us logistically. If applying from the UK is not possible, could we enter Japan first (with me on a student visa and my children under the visa exemption scheme), apply for their Certificates of Eligibility there, and then return to the UK to complete the process?
Alternatively, would it be better to enrol them in an international school that can sponsor student visas instead? I believe since 2015 children can have their own student visas as long as they have a guardian in Japan to look after them (that’d be me as I would be there doing my degree)?
Lastly, I’d like to know how Japanese people and universities view mature students from overseas? I have a bachelor’s, a masters and a PhD from the UK but I’d like to change field and do Japanese Studies.
Any advices most welcome.
Thank you
Hi Sophie,
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Unfortunately, you must be legally residing in Japan in order to apply for dependent CoEs for your children. So, you will need to complete the residence registration procedures at your city hall and the enrollment process at your university before the application, which could take a few days after arrival.
It is possible to come with your children on a visa waiver and apply for their CoEs together in Japan, as you suggested. If you receive their CoEs before their visa waiver period is over, then you can even try to take the CoE to the local Immigration Services Agency office and apply for a “Change of Status of Residence” for them from their “Temporary Visitor” status given by the visa-free waiver to “Dependent”. There is not guarantee that the ISA would accept that application, since it is up to the discretion of the office chief, but I think that you could make a compelling case for why it was practically impossible for your children to apply for their CoEs before you came to Japan and why they needed to stay with you for their support and so could not wait in Scotland for the CoE process to finish.
The only challenge is that the CoEs might not be processed prior to the end of their 90-day stay. In that case, they would have to leave Japan.
If your children were accepted to an international school in Japan that could facilitate their visas, that would also work. It is possible to get a student visa for any level of schooling from primary on up, but international schools are rather expensive.
I have known a few mature students in Japan, including one international mature student currently enrolled at my university. I haven’t heard about any particular problems for them, but they also do not get any special consideration due to their age and experience. For example, my university requires first year students to live in a freshman dorm and also requires a year of study abroad. Both of those conditions apply to mature students, too.
Of course, I don’t think any of the mature students I knew already had a PhD. Some professors might find that to be intimidating, but that’s more of a personal issue than an official university policy one.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I read your article, and it was good information. Thank you for that.
Can i ask a question?
I have a plan to bring my wife and my son in Japan this coming April 2025.
This coming week i have a plan to settle the documents, my question is can i get my Residence tax in my municipality even though i am 4 months old in Japan?
Thank you very much for your immediate response.
Hi Marvin,
Thank you for your kind feedback. I’m glad I could help.
I don’t think you can get your residence tax statement yet. That typically comes out in June based on the previous fiscal (Apr-Mar) year. Besides, the Immigration Services Agency would want to see the tax statement for a full year, not just a few months.
So, in place of that document, you will probably need to submit a proof of income, such as a Letter of Employment that shows the period of employment and monthly salary. In my experience, that should be sufficient.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
If my husband went Japan on work visa after how much time he can apply for dependent visa of me and my two kids.
Hi Aisha Ali,
There is no required waiting time. Once he has completed his residence registration and has all of the required paperwork, he can apply right away.
It may take several months for the application to be approved, though, so don’t count on being able to travel immediately.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Maximum how much time after applying for coe as he is on salary of 2700,000 yen monthly.
Hi Aisha Ali,
The processing time is 1-3 months from the date of application, assuming that all of his paperwork is correct and they do not need to ask for anything else.
It depends on how busy the immigration office is with applications when he applies. I have heard of CoE application taking longer at particularly busy times, but that was mostly right after borders reopened after the pandemic and I haven’t heard of those problems recently.
His salary should be sufficient to support you as a dependent with no issues.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I have one more question , what is Chef licence? Does anybody knows about this
Hi Aisha Ali,
From what I understand, it’s a qualification in the cooking industry. It is not required by law for all cooks to have one, but some employers will require it.
According to a job recruiting site I found (in Japanese), it can be earned by passing a prescribed education course (minimum one year) at a university, specialized training college, etc. or by passing a test after meeting certain experience minimums (2 years of cooking experience working at least 4 days x 6 hours per week.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
He already had a diploma in cooking industry from well reputed industry and his coe is received of work visa from Japan. As he went to embassy of Japan (in Pakistan) all documents were presented even the diploma as well still they asked for chef license ? So it might be the medical of chef?
Hi Aisha Ali,
If his diploma came from outside Japan, I do not think the Japanese authorities would accept it as being equivalent.
As far as I can tell, the chef’s license (調理師免許 chourisi menkyo) is a specific career certification gained from passing a test and certain prerequisites and is not the same thing as a degree. I mentioned that some universities, etc., offer a course to prepare you for the test, but that is not the same as a degree. It is a specific training course for the license test.
I stand by my understanding that it is the specific qualification I mentioned earlier. Since your husband does not have that and it would take a long time to meet the prerequisites, one approach could be to explain that his current job does not require it, but he is building up the required experience to take the test and plans to obtain it in the future.
Of course, if he asks his employer, I assume they are an expert in the field and can help him understand what is necesssary!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I am Indian-Goa and my wife is Japanese. I’ve visited Japan twice before, once on a tourist visa and once on an invitation visa before we got married.
Next year, I’m considering a longer stay in Japan with my wife’s family. However, my wife prefers to stay in India for a bit longer. Given this, would I be eligible for a dependent visa, and would I be allowed to work while on that visa?
Thanks!
Hi Nelson Mascarenhas,
If your wife is Japanese, then you are eligible for a Spouse Visa, not a Dependent Visa. (A Dependent visa is for the dependents of non-Japanese residents, like other foreign nationals with student or working visas, etc., in Japan).
With a Spouse visa, you are eligible to work full time (with a Dependent Visa, you would not be able to work only part time and that would require getting another permit).
The Spouse Visa is a bit more complicated to get and usually something you apply for if you are looking to move to Japan permanently, but once you do, you are on a faster track to permanent residency.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello after I arrive Japan on an instructor or humanities visa . How long am I to wait before I apply for my husband and son COE. Can I apply immediately or am to wait for a specific period like 3-6 months ?
Hi Amara,
There is no mandatory waiting period. As soon as you register your residence and can acquire all of the necessary documentation, you can start the CoE application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I’m planning to go to Japan as a privately financed research student this October. My husband will sponsor my studies. After six months of research, I will apply for a master’s degree and a scholarship. Will I be able to bring my husband to Japan while I’m a research student?
Hi Sethmini Susara,
Have you found a university that accepts privately-financed research students? If you have, that’s fine, but I’m not familiar with many that do.
There is a chart at the top of the article that explains what types of “Student” resident status holders can apply for a Dependent CoE to bring their spouse, so if you make sure that your status is in the approved side, then you should be able to apply. Of course, you will also have to meet the other requirements, like financial support.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
My mom’s been working for 20 years in Japan and has a residence card. I’m 25 years of age and we are planning on applying for dependent visa. Am I still eligible to apply dependent visa?
Hi Zee,
My understanding is that you can only apply for a dependent visa as a child if you are still a minor and dependent on your parent’s support. As you are a legal adult, I do not think that you are eligible, but your mother could check with the Immigration Services Agency to be sure.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I got awarded a MEXT scholarship for Research and then (if everything goes well) a Master’s degree.
I’m married and I wish to bring my wife with me to Japan, but I’ve read a lot of very concerning info online about income requirements and how much is needed for dependents to receive a CoE. I’m aware that the MEXT stipend is tight for life in Tokyo (where I will be studying) so I’m very worried my wife will not get a CoE. At the same time, I do know MEXT scholars tend to get good results with CoEs and are generally favoured for this.
Do you know if I would be better off applying for the 28-hour work permit and finding a part-time job as soon as possible after arriving in Japan? Would this help our chances at all? I also have solid savings equivalent to about 2M yen in my bank account at home, if that helps at all. I just want my wife to join me as soon as possible.
Hi Juan Runner,
Congratulations on earning the scholarship!
With your stipend as a MEXT Scholar and your savings, that should be enough proof of financial resources to get a CoE for your wife. I knew a MEXT Scholar who was able to bring his wife and three kids to Japan on just his stipend, although that was in a more rural area. In Tokyo, though, one dependent should be possible.
I do not recommend that you get the work permit and a part-time job. MEXT frowns on that and your host university is likely to oppose it. Besides, it would take time to establish any sort of income that would make a significant difference, anyway. The MEXT stipend should be enough, if you can find reasonable housing for the two of you.
It would make sense for your wife to get a part-time work permit and find a part-time job after arrival, though, for the sake of your finances, but that would not help for your application, itself.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I am a 4th generation japanese descendant. My parents and brother are living and working in Japan for almost 20 years. I am 30 years old now, married and 1 son. Now, my mom would like me to go to japan and work. She applied a visa for me and hired a lawyer in Japan and I just need to send my documents so I could go there and work. My concern is once I arrive in Japan, can I get Certificate of eligibility for my husband and son? Can I bring them to japan? Or is it allowed to apply a tourist visa for my husband and son first then i will work on getting coe and change their tourist visa to dependent visa so they wouldn’t need to go back to Philippines ? I appreciate the help. Thank you
Hi Grendelli,
If you come to Japan on a “4th generation Japanese descendent” visa, you are not allowed to bring your family with you or sponsor them as your dependents. That visa category is meant for you to come to Japan temporarily (up to a maximum of 5 years, including renewals, with a maximum age of 35) to familiarize yourself with Japanese language, culture, and business, so that you can return to your home country and serve as a bridge between the cultures.
From what I can tell, the visa application also requires you to have N4 or N5 level Japanese if you are age 30 or younger. But in order to renew at age 31 or higher (you need to renew the status each year), you would need to pass the JLPT level N3.
If you want to bring your husband and son to live with you in Japan, you would need to have a working residence status, which would allow you to sponsor them as dependents.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz