Complete Dependent Visa Guide: How Business Manager Visa Holders Can Bring Family to Japan (2025 Update)

You have secured your Business Manager Visa, registered your company, and just started operations, but your family is still back home. When can your spouse and children come to Japan? What are the requirements? Is the process complicated?

This guide is for exactly that situation. If you hold a Business Manager Visa and want to bring your family to Japan, the route is the Dependent Visa (家族滞在 / kazoku taizai). This article explains the eligibility requirements, required documents, application process, and key practical points in one place so you can avoid unnecessary mistakes.

What Is a Dependent Visa?

The Dependent Visa (家族滞在 / kazoku taizai) is one of the statuses of residence provided under Japan’s immigration system. Its purpose is simple: it allows foreign nationals who are lawfully working or running a business in Japan to live here together with their family members.

Under the rules of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the supporting family member (that is, you) must hold one of the following statuses of residence:

Business Manager (経営・管理 / けいえい・かんり)
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Highly Skilled Professional
Professor, Researcher, Instructor
Other work-authorized visa categories

If you hold a Business Manager Visa, you meet this requirement.

Who Can Apply?

This point is important: the Dependent Visa applies only to:

A spouse (a legally married spouse; unmarried partners are not included)
Children (biological children or legally adopted children)

Parents are not included. This is a very common misunderstanding. If you want your parents to live in Japan long term, the Dependent Visa is not available. Parents can usually only come on a short-term visa for family visits, normally up to 90 days, or in very limited cases under a Designated Activities visa, such as certain Highly Skilled Professional cases with 70 points or more.

In short: spouses and children can qualify; parents cannot.

Detailed Eligibility Requirements

A Dependent Visa is not granted automatically. Immigration will examine whether you genuinely have the ability to support your family members. For Business Manager Visa holders, the main review points are as follows.

1. Income and Tax Payment Requirements

This is the most important factor. Immigration needs to confirm that you have stable financial capacity to support your family.

In practice, they will look at:

Whether your company is genuinely operating: actual business activities, office space, and revenue
Your personal remuneration: how much salary you are paying yourself as the company representative. As a practical baseline, monthly compensation of at least JPY 200,000 is often expected; if you plan to support a spouse and child, JPY 250,000 to 300,000 or more is generally safer
Tax payment history: whether you have paid resident tax and income tax on time. Tax arrears are a major negative factor
Social insurance enrollment: whether you have properly enrolled in and paid into health insurance and the Employees’ Pension system, or National Health Insurance and the National Pension system

Important practical point: if you only recently received your Business Manager Visa, for example less than one year ago, and your company has not yet completed its first full fiscal year, a Dependent Visa application can be harder. Without tax certificates and income records, Immigration has less evidence of your ability to support dependents.

As a practical timing guideline, it is often better to wait until the company has been operating for at least six months, and ideally until you have one completed set of financial statements. That said, if your monthly salary is set at a relatively high level, for example JPY 300,000 or more, and you can show bank records proving salary payments, an earlier application can still succeed.

For the requirements of the Business Manager Visa itself, see our detailed guide to Business Manager Visa eligibility.

2. Proof of Marriage

If your spouse is applying, you must prove that you have a legally valid marriage.

Chinese nationals: provide a marriage certificate, with notarization and authentication as required
If the marriage was registered in Japan: provide a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration
If the marriage was registered in a third country: provide the marriage certificate or equivalent official record from that country

Immigration may also review whether the marriage is genuine. The scrutiny is usually not as strict as in a “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” case, but if the marriage is very recent, the age gap is large, or there is little evidence of shared life together, additional explanation may be requested.

3. Requirements for Children

Minor children: usually straightforward, as long as you provide a birth certificate with the required notarization/authentication and proof of the parent-child relationship
Adult children: as a general rule, children aged 18 or older who are financially independent are not treated as dependents. However, if the child is still studying, for example at university, and is still financially supported by you, approval may still be possible. In practice, applications for adult children aged 20 or above become significantly more difficult
Adopted children: you must provide proof of a legally valid adoption

4. Overall Assessment of Supporting Capacity

Immigration does not decide based on one number alone. It makes a comprehensive assessment, including:

Your income compared with the number of family members
Your housing situation in Japan, including whether the residence is large enough
Your savings balance, as supporting evidence
The actual condition of your business

As a practical rule of thumb, annual income of at least JPY 3 million is often considered a safer level for supporting one spouse. For each additional child, adding roughly JPY 600,000 to 800,000 is often advisable. This is not an official legal standard, but it is a commonly used practical benchmark.

Required Documents Checklist

Depending on where your family members are currently located, there are two main application routes.

Scenario 1: Family Members Are Overseas -> Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

This is the most common case. You apply in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書 / COE) on behalf of your family member, and once it is issued, you send it abroad so they can apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate.

Documents typically required:

Document	Notes
Application for Certificate of Eligibility	Download from the Immigration website and fill in the dependent’s details
ID photo (4 cm x 3 cm)	Taken within the last 3 months, plain background
Copy of the applicant’s passport	Identification page
Copy of your residence card (front and back)	As the supporting family member
Copy of your passport	Identification page
Proof of marriage / birth certificate	Chinese documents usually require notarization plus Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication or apostille
Your resident tax certificate and tax payment certificate	Issued by your local municipal office, for the latest tax year
Certificate of employment or company registry certificate	To prove your position as the business operator
Your company’s financial statements	Most recent fiscal year
Your personal bank balance certificate	Supporting evidence
Letter of guarantee	Signed by you as guarantor
Letter of explanation (free format)	Explaining why you want to bring your family to Japan; strongly recommended
Housing-related documents	Such as a copy of your lease agreement

Scenario 2: Family Member Is Already in Japan -> Apply for Change of Status

If your family member is already in Japan on a temporary visitor visa or another status, it may be possible to apply for a change to Dependent status.

Important: as a general rule, Immigration does not readily accept changes from Temporary Visitor status to Dependent status. Changes from a short-term stay to another status are subject to strict limitations. In practice, however, there have been approvals where there were “special circumstances,” such as pregnancy or a child’s schooling. For more detail, see our visa change guide.

The required documents are broadly similar to a COE application, but you will also need:

Application for Change of Status of Residence
The family member’s current residence card
A written explanation of the reason for the change

Important Notes on Obtaining Documents

Notarization and authentication of Chinese documents: marriage certificates or birth certificates usually need to go through notarization in China, then authentication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese embassy or consulate, unless apostille procedures apply. Since China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2023, apostille may now be available in appropriate cases. The full process may take 2 to 4 weeks
Tax certificates: obtain these from the municipal office where you live. Be aware that the tax year updates each June, so application timing matters
Financial statements: if the company has not yet reached its first closing, you can try submitting monthly trial balances and bank statements instead, but approval may be more difficult
Translations: all non-Japanese documents should be accompanied by Japanese translations. The translator should sign and include contact details

Application Process Explained

Route 1: Bringing Family from Overseas (Most Common)

This is the standard route for most Business Manager Visa holders who want to bring family members to Japan.

Step 1: Prepare documents (2 to 4 weeks)

Documents need to be prepared both in Japan and in the home country. The Chinese notarization and authentication side is usually the most time-consuming part.

Step 2: Submit the COE application to Immigration

You, as the supporting family member, submit the application to the regional Immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence
You may also appoint a licensed administrative scrivener to file on your behalf
After submission, you will receive an application receipt number

Step 3: Wait for screening (1 to 3 months)

According to data published by the Immigration Services Agency, the average screening period for Dependent Visa COE applications is around 1 to 2 months. In practice, however, applications linked to Business Manager Visa holders may take slightly longer because Immigration may also review the company’s actual business condition.

During screening, Immigration may send a request for additional documents. If that happens, prepare and submit the requested materials as quickly as possible.

Step 4: Receive the COE and send it overseas

Once approved, Immigration will issue the Certificate of Eligibility. You must send the original to your family member abroad, usually by EMS or similar service. The COE is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. After temporary extensions used during the pandemic, the standard 3-month validity has resumed, so the remaining steps must be completed in time.

Step 5: Family member applies for a visa overseas (1 to 2 weeks)

With the original COE, your family member applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate. Required documents usually include:

Original COE
Visa application form
Passport
ID photo
In some jurisdictions, submission through a designated visa agency may be required

Processing is often around 5 business days to 2 weeks.

Step 6: Enter Japan

After arrival, a residence card is usually issued at the airport. Then, within 14 days, the family member must file a moving-in notification at the local municipal office.

Overall timeline: about 2 to 4 months

Route 2: Change of Status in Japan

If your family member is already in Japan, for example on a student visa, the process is relatively simple:

Prepare the documents
Submit the Change of Status application to Immigration
Wait for screening (about 2 weeks to 2 months)
Receive the new residence card after approval

Online Applications

Since 2024, the scope of Immigration’s online application system has expanded. If you are already registered for the Online Residence Application System (在留申請オンラインシステム), both COE applications and change-of-status applications can be submitted online, which saves time at the counter. First-time use still requires initial registration, and an administrative scrivener can also file through the system on your behalf.

Restrictions and Rights Under a Dependent Visa

Once the Dependent Visa is granted, what can your family member do, and what can they not do? This section covers the main points.

Work Restrictions

A Dependent Visa does not itself permit work. Many people misunderstand this.

However, the dependent can apply for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可 / shikakugai katsudo kyoka) to obtain limited work authorization:

After approval, part-time work of up to 28 hours per week is allowed
There is no strict industry limitation, but work in the adult entertainment sector is prohibited
The application can be made at the airport on arrival or later at Immigration, and there is no fee
The review is simple and approval is common

Important: if your spouse wants to work full-time in your company, the Dependent Visa is usually not the right solution. In that case, your spouse may need a separate work visa, or may need to obtain a Business Manager Visa as a joint operator.

Health Insurance and Pension

Dependent Visa holders must join Japan’s health insurance system.

If you, as the supporting family member, are enrolled in employees’ social insurance: your spouse and children may be able to join your health insurance as dependents without separate premiums, provided their annual income is below JPY 1.3 million
If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance: each family member must join separately, and premiums are calculated individually

As for pensions:

A dependent spouse may qualify as a Category 3 insured person if you are enrolled in the Employees’ Pension system, in which case no separate pension premium is required
Otherwise, each person may need to join the National Pension system individually, at roughly JPY 16,980 per month per person in fiscal 2025

Children’s Education Rights

This is the good news: children of foreign residents in Japan can access compulsory education on the same basis as Japanese children.

Public elementary and junior high school are free
Enrollment is handled through the local board of education or municipal procedures
Many areas offer Japanese language support classes for foreign children
High school is not compulsory, but public high school tuition is relatively low and tuition support systems are available
International schools and Chinese schools are also options, but costs are much higher, often around JPY 1 million to 2 million per year

Extension and Renewal

The period of stay for a Dependent Visa is usually 6 months, 1 year, or 3 years. First-time grants are often for 1 year, with 3 years possible later depending on the case.

Documents Required for Renewal

Renewal applications should be filed within 3 months before expiry. Typical documents include:

Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Passport and residence card
The supporting family member’s latest resident tax certificate and tax payment certificate
Copy of the supporting family member’s residence card
ID photo
Updated marriage records or similar documents if there has been any relevant change

Key point: the main issue in renewal screening is still your ability to support the dependent. If your company’s business worsens, your income falls, or you have tax arrears, the renewal may become difficult.

For the renewal documents required for the Business Manager Visa itself, see our guide to Business Manager Visa renewal documents.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Insufficient income of the supporter: the company is running at a loss or personal remuneration is too low
Tax arrears: resident tax or income tax has not been paid on time
No enrollment in social insurance or unpaid premiums: Immigration has become increasingly strict on this point in recent years
The supporter’s own visa status is unstable: if your Business Manager Visa is close to expiry and renewal is uncertain, that can affect the family’s renewal as well
Breakdown of the marital relationship: separation, divorce proceedings, and similar issues
False documents: if Immigration finds fabricated or false materials, the consequences can be severe, including denial or even deportation issues

If your own Business Manager Visa renewal also looks difficult, it is worth reviewing our common reasons Business Manager Visa applications are refused so you can prepare both issues together.

Changing from Dependent Status to Another Visa

The Dependent Visa is not always the final destination. As life in Japan develops, your family member may need or want to move to a different status.

Changing to a Work Visa

If your spouse secures full-time employment and meets the requirements for a work visa, for example through a university degree and job duties that fit an eligible category, they may apply to change to a work status such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.

After the change, the 28-hour weekly limit no longer applies and full-time work becomes possible. But the spouse is no longer dependent on your status, which brings greater independence while also requiring them to meet their own visa conditions.

Changing to Permanent Residence

Dependent Visa holders can apply for permanent residence, but the conditions are relatively strict:

In principle, 10 years or more of continuous residence in Japan is required
Of that period, at least 5 years must usually be under a work-related or residence-based status
Time spent on Dependent status may count toward overall residence, but not toward the “work visa years” requirement
Stable livelihood, whether independently or through spousal support, must be shown
Tax and social insurance records must be in good order
No criminal record

A more realistic path is often for you, as the supporting family member, to obtain permanent residence first. Once that happens, conditions for your spouse and children as family members of a permanent resident may become more favorable.

What Happens After Divorce?

This is a sensitive issue, but it needs to be addressed.

If the marital relationship ends in divorce, the basis for the Dependent Visa no longer exists. Under the rules:

The change in marital status must be reported to Immigration within 14 days
The person cannot continue residing in Japan indefinitely on Dependent status
Before the current period of stay expires, they must either change to another status or leave Japan

Possible options include:

Change to a work visa if employment is available
Apply for Long-Term Resident (定住者 / teijusha) status if they are raising a child with Japanese nationality
Change to Spouse or Child of Japanese National status if they later marry a Japanese national

Cases involving children: if, after divorce, parental authority over the child belongs to the foreign spouse and the child has stable school attendance and family life in Japan, the spouse may in some cases qualify for Long-Term Resident status. This is fact-specific, and professional advice from a licensed administrative scrivener or lawyer is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I just received my Business Manager Visa and have not really started operating yet. Can I apply for a Dependent Visa immediately?

In theory, yes, but the approval rate is generally lower. Immigration wants to see actual income and tax records proving that you can support your family. In practice, it is often better to wait until at least six months of operations and a record of salary payments have accumulated. If your family needs to come urgently, one possible temporary option is to have them visit Japan on a short-term visa for up to 90 days while you build operating history.

Q2: Can my spouse and children apply together?

Yes. You can submit COE applications for your spouse and all children at the same time. In most cases, the documents are prepared together and reviewed together.

Q3: Can a spouse on a Dependent Visa work in my own company?

If the work is limited to part-time activity within 28 hours per week and the spouse has permission for activity outside status, it is possible. But if the spouse wants to participate full-time in business operations, it is usually better to consider a Business Manager Visa as a joint operator or a separate work visa. The best structure depends on the facts of the case.

Q4: How much does a Dependent Visa application cost?

Certificate of Eligibility application: free
Change of Status application: JPY 4,000 in revenue stamps
Extension of Period of Stay application: JPY 4,000
Visa application in China: roughly RMB 200 to 400, depending on the jurisdiction
If you appoint an administrative scrivener to handle the Dependent Visa application: roughly JPY 80,000 to 150,000, depending on the office. Fees for the Business Manager Visa itself are separate; see our cost guide

Q5: Can a Dependent Visa holder use Japan’s medical system?

Yes. Once enrolled in health insurance, they can access medical treatment on the same basis as Japanese residents and usually pay only 30% of the cost out of pocket. Many municipalities also offer additional medical subsidies for children, and in some cases pediatric treatment can be almost free.

Q6: My parents are elderly. Can I bring them to Japan on a Dependent Visa?

No. As explained above, the Dependent Visa covers only spouses and children. Parents may visit Japan on a short-term visa for family visits, usually up to 90 days. If you hold a Highly Skilled Professional visa and have 70 points or more, there may be a possibility under a Designated Activities category, but the conditions are strict.

After moving to Japan, your spouse must join Japan’s health insurance and pension systems. This is not directly integrated with China’s social insurance system, although Japan and China do have a social security agreement dealing mainly with pension coordination and avoiding duplicate enrollment in some cases. It is sensible to check the Chinese side in advance to confirm whether contributions can be suspended or maintained.

Q8: What should I do if the Dependent Visa application is refused?

First, identify the reason for refusal. Immigration usually provides the general basis. Common responses include:

Income is insufficient -> increase personal remuneration and reapply after building more business history
Documents were incomplete -> correct the deficiencies and reapply
The genuineness of the marriage was questioned -> submit stronger relationship evidence, such as photographs, communication history, and remittance records

You can generally reapply immediately after a refusal; there is no mandatory waiting period. But if the underlying issue is not fixed, the result is likely to be the same.

Q9: If my child is born in Japan, do I still need to apply for Dependent status?

Yes. A child born in Japan does not automatically acquire Japanese nationality unless one parent is a Japanese national. You must apply for permission to acquire status of residence for the child within 30 days after birth. In addition, you must submit the birth notification to the municipal office within 14 days, and apply for the child’s Chinese passport through the Chinese embassy or consulate. The deadlines are tight, so it is best to understand the procedure in advance.

Q10: Can a Dependent Visa holder open a bank account in Japan?

Yes, but new arrivals may face some restrictions. Some banks require six months of residence in Japan before opening an account. Japan Post Bank is often one of the more accessible options for newly arrived foreign residents.

Final Thoughts

For many entrepreneurs building a life in Japan, bringing family members over is one of the strongest motivations behind all the effort. The Dependent Visa application itself is not especially complicated, but the real key is that your financial foundation as the supporting family member must be solid.

In simple terms: run the company properly, pay yourself regularly, pay your taxes on time, and keep social insurance in order. If those basics are in place, a Dependent Visa application is usually much smoother.

If your case is more complicated, for example because the business is new, income is unstable, or family circumstances are unusual, professional advice from a licensed administrative scrivener is strongly recommended. They understand Immigration’s review standards and can help you avoid unnecessary risk.

For more on the Business Manager Visa itself and starting a business in Japan, see our complete Business Manager Visa guide and step-by-step guide to setting up a company in Japan.

This article is based on the rules and practice in effect in 2025 and is provided for general reference only. Immigration rules and screening standards can change at any time. For any specific case, please refer to official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or consult a qualified licensed administrative scrivener.