Japan family visa requirements and how to apply in an easy-to-understand manner!

A Japanese family visa is one of the visas required for foreigners to stay or reside in Japan. Here, we will explain the requirements for obtaining a family visa in Japan, how to apply, and points to note.

What is a Japanese family visa?

A Japanese family visa (or family stay visa) is a visa issued to the dependents of a person who has a working visa or a student visa in Japan to live together in Japan.

Dependents include husbands, wives and children.

Marriage or birth certificates are required to prove the relationship between dependents and dependents.

Please note that common-law wives, common-law husbands, and fiancés do not meet the requirements for obtaining a dependent visa.

In addition, a person cannot be recognized as a dependent unless he or she is in a relationship where economic dependence on the dependent is recognized. If your spouse or children start earning a certain amount of income, you will need to apply for a change to another visa.

Japan Family Visa Requirements

The following requirements must be met:

• The applicant must have a relationship with a Japanese national, permanent resident residing or Foreign nationals working with a work visa.
• The applicant must be a family member of a Japanese national, permanent resident or Foreign nationals working with a work visa.
• The Japanese national, permanent resident or Foreign nationals working with a work visa must be able to financially support the applicant.

How to apply for a Japan Family Visa

• Obtain a Residence Status Change application form and fill in the necessary information.
  • Attach the required documents to the application form. The required documents include:
    ・Passport
    ・Residence Card
    ・For spouses, a copy of the family register or marriage certificate
    ・For children, a birth certificate, etc.

• Pay the application fee.
• Submit the application documents.

The application for a Family Visa in Japan must be submitted to the Regional Immigration Bureau or the Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence.

The required documents are listed on the Immigration Bureau’s website.

• Required documents when applying for “Family Residency” in the application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Required documents when applying for “Family Residency” in an application for change of status of residence
• Required documents when applying for “Family Residency” in an application for permission for extension of period of stay

As of March 2023, the application fee for a Family Visa is 21,000 yen for a single application (only for family members) and 42,000 yen for a simultaneous application (applicant and family members).

Additionally, there may be actual expenses such as copying fees when submitting the necessary documents at the time of application. Please note that the application fee is subject to change without notice, so it is recommended to check the latest information on the official websites of the Regional Immigration Bureau or the Immigration Bureau.

【Notes】
It is important to carefully prepare and submit the application documents to avoid any mistakes or omissions.
It is advisable to start the application process as early as possible as it may take several months for the application to be processed and approved.
The Residence Card will be issued after the family visa has been obtained.
The family visa is not a visa for the applicant to reside in Japan alone but to reside in Japan with their family. If the applicant plans to work in Japan, they must obtain the appropriate Residence Status.

【References】
The following sources were referred to for this information
>Immigration Services Agency of Japan “Family Stay”

Frequently Asked Questions about Family Visas for Japan

Can family members staying in Japan on a Family Visa work?

Yes, by obtaining permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence. However, it is limited to part-time work up to 28 hours per week. It is illegal if their income exceeds that of their dependents.

Do you want to work in Japan?
Click here for information on job opportunities for foreigners who want to find a job in Japan!

Can I invite my father or mother?

No, you cannot invite your parents to Japan on a Family Visa. In principle, parents are required to come to Japan on a Temporary Visitor’s Visa.
However, if the parents are elderly and living without relatives in their home country, and it is recognized that living with their children in Japan should be considered from a humanitarian standpoint, a long-term visa may be granted. It is very difficult and time-consuming. The application must be made to the Immigration Bureau. The applicant can be the applicant (parents) or a family member already in Japan (dependent). The parents must apply for “permission to change status of residence” at the Immigration Bureau during their stay in Japan on a Temporary Visitor’s Visa. Please consult with the Immigration Bureau in advance and prepare the necessary documents before entering Japan to apply.

Can family members of international students obtain a family visa?

Family members (husband, wife, and children) of a college student or graduate student staying in Japan on a college student visa may be able to invite them to Japan on a family visa. However You must have sufficient financial resources to support your family.

What happens if I divorce my husband or wife on a Family Visa?

After divorce, the divorced person cannot stay in Japan as is. You must return to your country or change your visa status.

We are not specialists in visa matters, so we do not accept questions on this site. If you want to know more details, please visit the website of the Immigration and Residency Management Agency, which is a national organization.
Visa laws are very complex and strict. Please be sure to check and consult directly with the competent authorities in Japan.

Now, make good preparations to spend your vacation with your family in Japan.