Family visa in Japan

• The Spouse or Child of Japanese National status covers the husband or wife of a Japanese citizen, a special adoptee of a Japanese citizen, and a person born as the child of a Japanese citizen. The Agency gives one document list for spouses and another for children.
• The Dependent status is for daily life as the spouse or child of someone who holds a listed status, such as engineer/specialist in humanities/international services, business manager, highly skilled professional, professor or student. You prove the relationship with documents.
• Not every status brings family along. A 2019 Agency leaflet says accompanying family is basically not permitted for Specified Skilled Worker (i), while the spouse and children of a highly skilled professional can accompany them and the spouse can be admitted to work.
• A spouse or child of a Japanese national holds a Table 2 status, and the Agency says Table 2 holders need no permission to work. A Dependent holder needs permission, and the blanket permission allows up to 28 hours a week, not at fuzoku-type (adult entertainment) businesses.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The Agency's lists for both statuses set no minimum income or savings figure. They ask for proof that the household can pay its way: the Japanese spouse's or parent's latest resident tax and tax payment certificates, or for Dependent the sponsor's employment and income documents. If those cannot show it, for example shortly after arrival, the spouse list accepts passbook copies, a job offer or an employment letter from a Japanese company.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• For a spouse, the Certificate of Eligibility file has the form, a photo, the Japanese spouse's family register extract showing the marriage, a marriage certificate issued by an authority in your country, the Japanese spouse's guarantor letter and household resident record, a questionnaire and a return envelope.
• The Agency also asks for evidence of the relationship itself: two or three snapshots that clearly show both spouses' faces (app-filtered photos are not accepted), or other records such as social-media messages or call records.
• For a child or special adoptee, the file has the Japanese parent's family register extract, the child's birth or recognition document (or a special adoption document), a guarantor letter from a Japanese guarantor living in Japan, and the supporting household's resident record.
• For Dependent, the file has the form, a photo, proof of the relationship (a family register extract, marriage certificate or birth certificate), a copy of the sponsor's residence card or passport, and proof of the sponsor's work and income. Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months, foreign-language documents need a Japanese translation, and originals are generally not returned.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The Certificate of Eligibility is filed with the Regional Immigration Bureau covering where you plan to live, by you or an agent in Japan; the Agency does not accept postal applications. Its standard processing period is 1 to 3 months overall, and the page gives no separate period for the family statuses.
• With the certificate you can apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate and have it issued promptly, or present it at the port of entry for a quick landing permit.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The Certificate of Eligibility carries no fee. The consular fee-exemption lists name citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• From 1 October 2026 a change of status or an extension costs by the period granted, at the counter: ¥18,000 for 6 months, ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 years and ¥75,000 for 5 years. Online filing is ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 cheaper for these periods, plus a transaction fee.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The spouse or child status is granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months. Dependent is set individually by the Minister of Justice, up to 5 years. You apply to extend on or before the day your period ends, or from three months before if your period is six months or more.
• If you divorce or your spouse dies, you must tell the Agency within 14 days. The duty covers holders of the spouse of a Japanese national status, the spouse of a permanent resident status, and Dependent holders living as a spouse; you can notify online, in person or by post.
• A spouse (not a child or special adoptee) can have the status cancelled after six months without carrying out activities as a spouse, unless there is a justifiable reason; the person is generally given up to 30 days to leave.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The Agency's draft guideline, for applications from 1 April 2027, shortens the usual 10 years for the spouse of a Japanese national to a marriage lived for 5 years or more and 3 continuous years in Japan. For their children it asks for 3 continuous years.
• By law the spouse or child of a Japanese national does not have to meet the good conduct and independent livelihood tests for permanent residence. The test that permanent residence is in Japan's interest, including paying taxes and public charges, still applies.
• The draft's shortened periods name spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents but not Dependent holders. Income earned by a household member on Dependent status is not added to household income in the independent livelihood test, because they can earn only with permission. The permanent residence fee is ¥200,000 from 1 October 2026.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Under the National Tax Agency's rules you are a resident if you have had a domicile or residence in Japan for a year or more. A non-Japanese resident who has lived in Japan for five years or less in the past ten is a non-permanent resident, taxed on Japanese income and foreign income paid in or sent to Japan.
• For someone who owns a residence in Japan and leaves temporarily, the Agency's tax guide presumes the absence is temporary if the person's spouse or relatives remain in the household in Japan. In that case the person is treated as resident during the absence.

Sources: National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.

• Digital nomad visa in Japan
• Work permit in Japan
• Business manager visa in Japan

• Visas in Japan
• Japan

1. Certificate of Eligibility for a spouse of a Japanese national: documents (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Document list for the Certificate of Eligibility, with notes on translations, three-month validity of certificates issued in Japan, and originals not being returned.
2. Status of Residence "Dependent" (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Sponsor statuses that qualify, documents for the Certificate of Eligibility, and a period of stay set individually up to 5 years.
3. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in the United States), Embassy of Japan in the United States (Internet Archive copy captured 28 September 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026; opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. Washington embassy rules, fee exemption for US citizens, visa validity and processing time.
4. U.S. citizens and residents abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last reviewed or updated 28 September 2026. Citizens and residents abroad generally file as if in the United States; filing depends on gross income from worldwide sources.
5. List of Japan's tax conventions, Ministry of Finance, Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
6. Status of Agreements in Force (Japan social security agreements; page updated 2 March 2026), Japan Pension Service. Checked 16 October 2026.
7. Visa and Consular Section (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: which of the embassy and four consulates general handles which provinces, an English hotline for general visa questions (+1-587-883-9002, 24 hours), appointments for consular services, and a link to Visit Japan Web.
8. Visa and Consul Fees (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada (Internet Archive copy captured 3 October 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 11 August 2026; opened on 17 October 2026. Visa fees are exempt for Canadian passport holders.
9. Tax treaties in force (Japan), Department of Finance Canada. Checked 16 October 2026.
10. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 27 September 2026, opened on 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: general visa fees from 1 July 2026 are A$156 (single entry) and A$313 (multiple entry), up from A$31 and A$63; Canberra takes applications only from residents of Canberra and its immediate surrounds.
11. Visa Fee Exemption (list), Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney. Checked 17 October 2026. Undated list opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026; names Australia and New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Canada as exempt from visa fees.
12. Visa Enquiries & FAQ (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 June 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 April 2026, written for Australian passport holders: tourists may stay up to 90 days and may not undertake any form of work, paid or unpaid; entry status cannot in principle be changed once in Japan; which consulate-general serves which state (Sydney for NSW and the Northern Territory, Perth for WA, Brisbane for QLD, Cairns for the Cairns area, Melbourne for VIC, TAS and SA).
13. Income tax treaties (Japan: DTA signed 31 January 2008, in force 3 December 2008), Australian Treasury. Checked 16 October 2026.
14. Frequently Asked Questions (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 18 February 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 16 December 2025. Who may apply at the Wellington embassy (New Zealand passport holders, or holders of a long-term New Zealand visa) and the regions each office serves; no urgent service; in principle a visa type cannot be changed once in Japan, so work needs a work visa obtained abroad.
15. Visa & Certificate Top (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 20 April 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 9 March 2026. Address, telephone and e-mail of the Wellington embassy (Level 18, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street), the Consulate-General in Auckland and the Consular Office in Christchurch, and the regions each serves; visa types listed are temporary visitor, transit, work, student, working holiday, spouse or child of a Japanese national and dependent, with no page for the digital nomad status; advice to take travel insurance; Visit Japan Web.
16. Visa Fees (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 July 2024 (the only capture found; the page is dated 1 April 2024), opened on 16 October 2026. Lists New Zealand among the nationalities exempt from visa fees and says fees are paid in cash when the passport is collected. It is two years old and does not name the digital nomad status.
17. Visa Fee Exemptions, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 6 June 2025 (Reiwa 7); opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. The list of fee-exempt nationalities names the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
18. Tax treaties (double tax agreements in force, Japan listed), Inland Revenue (New Zealand), Tax Policy. Checked 16 October 2026.
19. Status of Residence "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" (page in Japanese, English view), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Covers the spouse or special adoptee of a Japanese national and a person born as the child of a Japanese national; period of stay 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months.
20. Certificate of Eligibility for a child of a Japanese national: documents (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Document list for a biological child or special adoptee of a Japanese national.
21. New Foreign National Acceptance System: Specified Skilled Worker (leaflet, 2019), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
22. FAQ on the points-based preferential treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals (as of April 2026), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
23. Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted by the status (procedure page, English view), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Opened on 17 October 2026. Table 2 statuses need no permission; blanket permission for up to 28 hours a week for Student and Dependent, not at fuzoku-type businesses.
24. "Business Manager" criteria review: old and new requirements (comparison sheet, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Note 4 names the Table 2 statuses: permanent resident, spouse or child of a Japanese national, spouse or child of a permanent resident, long-term resident.
25. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (procedure page, English view), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Opened on 17 October 2026. Who can apply, where, postal applications not accepted, standard processing period of 1 to 3 months overall, no fee.
26. Fees for residence procedures for foreign nationals will be revised from October 1, 2026 (leaflet, English), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Counter and online fees by permitted period for change of status and extension (JPY 10,000 to JPY 75,000) and JPY 200,000 for permanent residence; applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fees.
27. Revision of residence permission fee amounts from 1 October 2026 (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese. In force from 1 October 2026; online applications are paid by convenience-store or bank payment only; counter applications by revenue stamps.
28. Extension of period of stay: application (procedure page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese. Apply on or before the day the period of stay ends; with a period of six months or more you may apply from three months before it ends.
29. Notification concerning a spouse (divorce or death) (procedure page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Notify within 14 days of a divorce or death; online, in person or by post.
30. Cancellation of status of residence (Article 22-4) (procedure page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Item 7: spouse statuses not carrying out activities as a spouse for six months or more, unless there is a justifiable reason.
31. Guidelines for permission for permanent residence (draft, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; a draft (案) with the revision date left blank, for applications from 1 April 2027. Part 2 quotes Article 22(2) of the Immigration Control Act; Part 3 lists the shortened periods, including spouses of Japanese nationals (marriage lived for 5 years and 3 continuous years in Japan) and their children (3 years).
32. 2025 Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction Guide: 1-2 Final return and 1-3 Taxpayers and the scope of taxable income, National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.