The Family Stay (Dependent) visa (家族滞在) allows the spouse and minor children of foreign nationals legally residing in Japan to join and live with them. It is available to dependents of holders of most long-term residence statuses, including work visas, student visas, and Highly Skilled Professional visas, enabling families to stay together during extended periods of residence in Japan.
The Family Stay visa is directly tied to the principal holder's status — it mirrors the principal's permitted stay and must be renewed whenever the principal's visa is renewed. Dependents enjoy most of the social benefits of long-term residents in Japan, including access to the national health insurance system and, for children, access to Japanese public schooling.
One important limitation is that the Family Stay visa does not automatically grant work rights. Dependents who wish to work part-time must obtain a separate activity permission, which limits work to 28 hours per week. This restriction should be considered when families are planning their finances in Japan. Despite this, the Family Stay visa is an essential and commonly used pathway that enables many international families to build a life together in Japan.
Who Is This For
- ✓Spouses of foreign nationals holding work or student visas in Japan
- ✓Minor children of foreign nationals residing in Japan
- ✓Dependents of researchers, professors, engineers, and other long-term visa holders
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Up to 5 years (aligned with the principal visa holder's status)
Requirements
- •A qualifying relationship with a principal visa holder (spouse or minor child)
- •The principal holder must have a qualifying residence status (work, student, highly skilled professional, etc.)
- •Proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- •The principal holder must have sufficient income to support the dependent
- •The principal holder's visa must have at least 6 months of remaining validity
- •Valid passport
Costs & Fees
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Valid passport of the dependent applicant
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate (proving family relationship)
- Copy of the principal holder's residence card (在留カード) and passport
- Proof of the principal holder's employment or enrollment status
- Proof of financial support (principal holder's income certificate or pay stubs)
- Household register extract or family registry (戸籍謄本) where applicable
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Confirm that the principal visa holder's residence status allows for dependents (most long-term work and study statuses do; Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 does not)
- 2Gather all family relationship documentation and have it officially translated into Japanese if necessary
- 3Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for the dependent (either from Japan or through the Japanese Embassy in the home country)
- 4Submit the COE and visa application at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate
- 5Travel to Japan together with or after the principal holder
- 6Register the dependent's address at the local municipal office within 14 days
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.
Residence Status (COE) Review Time
Average processing days as of Jun 2026, based on official Ministry of Justice statistics.
Figures include waiting time for supplementary documents. Denied and withdrawn applications are excluded.
Renewal and change-of-status 'notice' figures include the wait between review completion and pickup at Immigration Bureau.
Work Restrictions
Family & Dependents
Renewal & Extension
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Important Notices
- ⚠The period of stay will not exceed that of the supporting family member (primary visa holder)
- ⚠If the primary visa holder leaves their job or leaves Japan, the Family Stay visa must also be handled
- ⚠Working overtime is a common violation; the Immigration Bureau will check tax records
Practical Tips
- →Apply for Permission for Activities Outside Status as soon as possible after arriving in Japan to enable part-time work
- →Family Stay visa holders who want full-time employment must change to an appropriate work visa
- →Keep proof of the relationship with the supporting family member (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)