Hello. I’m Yukiko Horiuchi, a certified administrative scrivener at the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office.
When companies hire foreign employees from overseas or establish a business in Japan, the second most common inquiry we receive is, “We want to bring our spouse and children, who are currently in our home country, to Japan.” It’s not uncommon for company representatives to ask us, “How should we handle the paperwork for our employees’ families?”
In this article, we'll discuss the status of residence required to bring family members to Japan"Family Stay"Let’s take a look together at who is eligible, the application process, the required documents, and the rules for working.
Three key points of this article
- Those eligible for the "Family Stay" program areSpouse and ChildrenOnly these individuals are eligible (parents and siblings are excluded).
- A dependent living in Japan can apply on behalf of the applicant, and the main focus of the review isIncome sufficient to support a familyIt is.
- As a general rule, they are not allowed to work, andPermit for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of ResidenceIf you receive this, you can work no more than 28 hours per week.
1. What is the “Family Stay” status of residence?
"Family Stay" is a program for foreign nationals working or studying in Japan whoSpouse and Children Who Are DependentsHowever, this is a status of residence that allows the holder to live in Japan. The scope of activities is limited to “daily activities,” and the period of stay is determined on a case-by-case basis, not to exceed five years.
| classification | Status of Residence for Dependents |
|---|---|
| Employment-Based | Professor, Arts, Religion, Journalism, Highly Specialized Professions, Business Management, Legal and Accounting Services, Healthcare, Research, Education, Technology, Humanities, and International Business, Intra-company Transfers, Nursing Care, Entertainment, Skilled Labor |
| Specified Skilled Worker | Specific Skilled Worker Category 2 only (Category 1 generally does not allow family members to accompany the worker) |
| Other | Cultural Activities, Studying Abroad |
Important Notice
- Spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents are granted a different status of residence—such as “Spouse of a Japanese National” or “Spouse of a Permanent Resident”—rather than “Family Stay.”
- As a general rule, holders of Specific Skilled Worker Category 1 status cannot bring their families to Japan.
2. Who can you summon?
- spouse: A legally valid marriage is required. Common-law marriages and engagements are not eligible.
- 子: This applies to children who are financially dependent, including adopted children and children whose paternity has been acknowledged. It is difficult to argue that a child who has reached adulthood and is self-sufficient is “financially dependent,” so the screening process tends to be stricter in such cases.
- Parents and Siblings: This is not covered under the "Family Visit" category. Parents generally visit Japan for short-term stays (90 days or less).
3. What is the application process?
- The sponsor in Japan must prepare the necessary documents and submit them to the Regional Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over their place of residence.Certificate of Eligibility (COE)I will submit the application on their behalf.
- Once the COE is issued, I will send it to my family back home (it can also be received via email through electronic delivery).
- A family member will apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad using a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- After arriving in Japan, you must pick up your Residence Card at the airport and register your address with your local municipality within 14 days of establishing your residence.
If your family members are already in Japan under a different status of residence, you must file an “Application for Change of Status of Residence.”
4. What documents are required?
The required documents can be broadly divided into three categories.
Main documents
- Application Form and Photo
- Documents proving family relationships (such as marriage and birth certificates; if in a foreign language, attach a Japanese translation)
- Documents verifying the occupation and income of the dependent (the individual residing in Japan)
The most challenging part is the third requirement: “proof of income.” If you have just arrived in Japan and a tax certificate has not yet been issued, or if your income does not appear sufficient to support your family size, you may need to provide other documentation to demonstrate that you can support yourself.
The required documents vary depending on the case. Our office provides a list of documents tailored to your specific situation, along with the necessary forms. You can also view the official list of documents on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan’s webpage, which is linked under [Reference Materials] below.
5. Can family members work in Japan?
Since “Family Stay” is a status of residence granted for the purpose of receiving financial support, as a general rule, you are not permitted to work. However,Permit for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence (Comprehensive Permit)If you receive it,No more than 28 hours per weekYou can work part-time or as a temporary employee. You cannot work in jobs related to adult entertainment businesses or similar industries.
To Corporate Representatives
- When hiring, please check the “Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence” section on the back of the Residence Card or the “Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence” document to confirm whether the individual is permitted to work and the permitted working hours.
- If an employee is made to work more than 28 hours per week, it will not only affect that employee’s visa renewal but could also result in the company being charged with facilitating illegal employment.
- If you wish to hire someone on a full-time basis, we will consider changing their status of residence to a work-based status that matches the nature of their duties.
6. What should I pay special attention to during the review process?
- Is my income sufficient?: This is the most important point. If your income is low relative to the number of family members, it may be difficult to obtain approval.
- Are you paying your taxes properly?: This will be verified using your tax payment certificate. If you have any outstanding resident tax payments, please settle them first.
- Do you live together?: As a general rule, the child must live with the parent or guardian.
- Period of Stay for Dependents: If there isn't much time left, it's a good idea to plan this around the person's renewal date.
Please note that, effective October 1, 2026, the fees for changing or renewing a status of residence have been revised to amounts based on the permitted period of stay (examples for in-person applications: 1 year—33,000 yen; 3 years or more but less than 5 years—64,000 yen. For online applications, separate payment processing fees apply in addition to the base fees of 27,000 yen and 56,000 yen, respectively). There is no fee for applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Related Articles
- What Is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? The Application Process for Inviting Foreign Nationals to Japan from Abroad
- Application for Work Visa
summary
“Eligibility is limited to spouses and children,” “Income sufficient to support dependents is key,” and “If you work, it must be within the scope of a permit for activities outside the status of residence.” Keeping these three points in mind will help you understand the overall process. Since the documents required to prove income vary depending on your specific case, it’s best to confirm the requirements before applying to ensure a smooth process.
We hope this information will be of some help as you prepare to live in Japan with your family. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
[Reference Materials]
ABOUT US
Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Office
Administrative Scrivener Yukiko Horiuchi
- Member of Shinjuku Branch, Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Association
- Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
- Member of Foreign Employment Support Organization (FESO)
Access
- 1 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
- 1 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Toei Oedo Line
- 12-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line
- 8-minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line
- 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line
- 12-minute walk from Okubo Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines
If you have any questions regarding residency status (visas), permanent residency, naturalization, or starting a business, please feel free to contact us.
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