03/01/2026
A Japan Dependent Visa (Status of Residence: Dependent) allows legally married spouses and minor/financially supported children of foreign residents (with work/student visas) to live with them in Japan, focusing on daily life and education, not independent work, though limited part-time work (under 28 hrs/week) is possible with special permission. The sponsor must prove they can financially support the family, and the dependents must show a genuine family relationship, with parents/siblings ineligible.
Key Aspects:
Who's Eligible: Legally married spouses and biological/adopted children (of any age if financially dependent) of a primary visa holder (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, Student).
Purpose: To live together in Japan; activities include school attendance but not full-time employment.
Financial Requirement: The main visa holder (sponsor) must prove they have stable income and suitable housing to support the family.
Work Permission: Generally prohibited, but part-time work (under 28 hrs/week) is possible with permission from Immigration.
Application: Usually requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) obtained by the sponsor in Japan, then a visa application at a Japanese embassy/consulate abroad.
Who is NOT Eligible:
Common-law partners, fiancés, divorced/widowed spouses.
Same-sex spouses (unless recognized by Japan).
Parents, siblings, or other relatives.
Process:
Sponsor Applies for COE: The primary visa holder applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a Japanese Immigration Bureau.
COE Issued: After approval (takes a couple of months), the COE is sent to the family.
Visa Application: Family members use the COE to apply for the visa at their local Japanese embassy/consulate.