I am Teruyoshi Yoneda, the representative of Yoneda Legal Servives and a certified immigration procedures specialist. My office specializes in international matters such as visa and naturalization applications. Based mainly in Hiroshima Prefecture, we support foreign nationals living in Japan with various immigration procedures, including work visas, spouse visas, permanent residency applications, and naturalization.In this article, I will explain how to obtain Family Visa
1.What is a Family Visa? (Dependent)
A Family Visa is a status of residence established to allow a foreign national residing in Japan with an eligible visa to bring their dependent spouse or children from their home country to live with them. The spouse or children must be financially dependent on the main visa holder. In the case of a spouse, this generally requires living together and being economically reliant on the sponsor. In the case of a child, the child must be under the care and supervision of the sponsor. Furthermore, a Family Visa allows the spouse or child to reside in Japan only for as long as the sponsoring spouse or parent remains legally resident in Japan.
Let us compare the Family Visa with the Spouse or Child of a Japanese National Visa, which is often confused with it. Although both visas allow family members to come to Japan, there are several important differences between them.
| Family Visa | Spouse or Child of a Japanese National Visa | |
| Eligible Applicants | The spouse or children of a foreign national who holds an eligible status of residence (such as a work visa or student visa). | The spouse of a Japanese national or the biological child of a Japanese national, etc. |
| Work activities | Generally not permitted (work allowed up to 28 hours per week with authorization for activities outside the permitted status) | No restrictions (full‑time employment permitted) |
| Being supported as a dependent | Being financially dependent is required. | No requirement to be financially dependent. |
2. Main Requirements for Obtaining a Family Visa
(1) The sponsor who is bringing the family members to Japan must hold the relevant status of residence.
List of Visa Categories Eligible to Serve as Sponsors for a Dependent Visa
| 「Professor」「Artist「Religious Activities」 「Journalist」「Highly Skilled Professional」 「Business Manager」「Legal/Accounting Services」「Medical Services」「Researcher」 「Instructor」「Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Service」「Intra‑company Transferee」「Nursing Care」 「Entertainer」「Skilled Labor」「Specified Skilled Worker (Type 2)」 「Cultural Activities」「Student」 |
(2) Family Members Eligible to Apply
The eligible family members are limited to “spouses” and “children”; grandparents, parents, siblings, grandchildren, and other relatives are not included. A “spouse” refers to a person whose marriage is legally valid and currently in effect. Divorced, widowed, or common‑law partners are not included. In addition, individuals in same‑sex marriages that are legally recognized abroad are not considered eligible, so caution is required. Even if a marriage is legally established, it will not be recognized if the couple does not actually live together and maintain a marital relationship in substance—meaning a shared life based on mutual cooperation and support in a manner generally accepted by society. “Children” include not only biological children but also adopted children.
(3) Being supported by the sponsor
A spouse or child must be “receiving support.” “Receiving support” means that the sponsor is recognized as having both the intention to provide support and the financial capacity to do so.
3.Evaluation Criteria
・The applicant must be the spouse or child of the dependent.
・The sponsor must hold the relevant visa.
・The sponsor’s intention and ability to provide support.
If you are considering applying for a family visa in the Chugoku region (Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori) or in other parts of Japan, we offer free consultations. Please feel free to contact us. We will provide our full support until your family visa is approved.
