Family Residency Visa Application Support

It is a status of residence that allows the spouse or children of a foreign national working in Japan to live together with them in Japan. The screening focuses on the genuineness of the dependency relationship and financial stability. Being a family member alone is not sufficient for approval — you must demonstrate your living foundation with objective supporting documents.

It is a prerequisite that you hold a stable status of residence, such as a work visa or business manager visa. In addition, sufficient income, suitable housing, and tax payment records are also examined. If these requirements are not met, the application may be denied.

There is no officially stated minimum, but if you are bringing only a spouse, around 2.5 to 3 million yen in annual income is one general benchmark. The required level varies depending on the number of dependents and your rent. What matters is being able to reasonably explain your household finances as a whole.

The more dependents you have, the more closely your living expenses will be scrutinized. It is less a matter of disadvantage than of balance between income and expenses being the focus of review. It is important to organize your rent and other expenses and to concretely demonstrate that your household can sustain itself.

Yes, it is possible, but the stability of your employment is an important factor. You need to prepare supporting documents that take into account your contract term, likelihood of renewal, and the size of your employer. Screening looks not only at a single year’s income but also at continuity.

Right after a job change, your prior year’s income may appear low. In that case, it is important to submit supplementary documents such as your employment contract and projected future annual income to demonstrate stability going forward.

Yes. A residence that is excessively small relative to the number of family members raises doubts about your actual living circumstances. You need to submit a floor plan and lease agreement to show that cohabitation is genuinely feasible.

As a general rule, working is not permitted, but if permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted is obtained, part-time work of up to 28 hours per week becomes possible. However, earning income that exceeds the scope of being a dependent is not advisable.

Yes, minor biological or adopted children are eligible. The parent-child relationship must be proven with a birth certificate or similar document. Adult children are generally not eligible.

As a general rule, only a spouse and children are eligible under the family residency visa. There is only a limited framework for bringing parents to Japan, and this is normally not permitted under the family residency (Dependent) visa.

You will need documents such as a marriage certificate and birth certificate. The method of obtaining these and their format vary by country. The accuracy of translations is also important — inconsistencies in the recorded details can lead to denial.

As a general rule, any document not in Japanese must be translated. Mistranslations or omissions can raise doubts about the relationship in question. Accurate translation and consistency across documents are essential.

It usually takes about one to three months, but this can be longer during busy periods or if additional documents are requested. Early preparation is important.

The main reasons include insufficient income, an unclear dependency relationship, incomplete documentation, and unpaid taxes. It is important to identify these risks in advance before filing.

You can reapply after analyzing the reasons for denial and identifying areas for improvement. Rather than resubmitting hastily, clearly identifying the cause is the key to success.

Renewal places greater emphasis on your actual living circumstances than the initial application. Your continued income, tax payment record, and actual cohabitation are all confirmed. Extra care is needed if you have changed jobs or your income has decreased.

You will need to promptly begin job-hunting and be able to explain your expected future income. A prolonged period without income will affect your renewal.

This is generally not permitted. Since stable income is a prerequisite, it is common to apply only after obtaining a work-authorized status of residence.

Yes, this is possible. However, the stability of your company and the amount of your director’s compensation will be examined. If the company is operating at a loss, a careful explanation is required.

Ideally, you should consult us before your living circumstances change — for example, before changing jobs or moving house. Early consultation can reduce the risk of denial.

Bringing a family member from overseas requires a Certificate of Eligibility application, while a change within Japan requires a change-of-status application. Since the required documents and procedures differ, preparation should be tailored to your specific situation.

Approval is still possible, but you will need to concretely present a breakdown of your living expenses and spending plan. It is important to clearly substantiate your figures.

These may be requested in cases such as a long period of living apart. They are effective as supporting evidence to reinforce the reality of the dependency relationship.

It is usually either one or three years. This is generally aligned with the period of stay of the family member you are dependent on.

We can handle everything consistently, from organizing the dependency requirements and checking country-specific documents to designing your household finances and drafting the letter of reasons. The greatest benefit is identifying denial risks in advance and shaping your application so that it is more likely to succeed.