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For foreigners who wish to bring their family members to Japan! What is a "Family Resident Visa"? How to apply and what documents are required.

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A family of five, currently in Japan, lying on the lawn, smiling happily.

When dependents of foreign nationals working in Japan with a work visa or a business/administrative visa stay in Japan, the status of residence issued to the dependents is called a "Family Resident Visa".

In this issue, we will explain what kind of visa is a family residence visa and give an overview of it. We will also discuss how to apply for a family residence visa, the required documents, whether it is possible to work with a family residence visa, and how to change from a family residence visa to a work visa.

A better understanding of the Family Resident Visa will facilitate your preparations for living with your loved ones in Japan.

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What visas other than a work visa can I bring my family with me?

According to the official website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, spouses and children of foreign nationals with the following status of residence may come to Japan with them if they are dependent on them.

  • professor
  • the arts
  • religion
  • report
  • highly specialized occupation
  • Management and Administration
  • Legal and accounting services
  • medical care
  • research
  • education
  • Technical/Humanities/International Services
  • intra-company transfer
  • care
  • show business
  • ability
  • Cultural Activities
  • studying abroad (usu. at university level)

As mentioned above, if a foreigner with a work visa wants to bring his/her family over, he/she can obtain a family residence visa if certain conditions are met. Those conditions are as follows

  1. Dependent Care Requirement: The alien's spouse and/or children must be dependent on the alien for support.
  2. Resident status requirements: The foreigner himself/herself must have one of the above statuses.
  3. Period of stay: The foreigner's own period of stay must be expected to be at least 3 months.

However, please note that some visa types may have restrictions on accompanying family members.

What visas other than a work visa can I bring my family with me?

Foreign nationals with certain visa statuses other than a work visa can also bring their family members to Japan. Let's take a closer look at family accompaniment for those with a specified technical visa and college student visa.

Family members of a person holding a Specified Technical Visa staying in Japan

There are two types of Specified Technical Visas: Specified Technical Skill No. 1 and Specified Technical Skill No. 2. Of these, only Specified Technical Skills No. 2 allows family members to accompany the visa holder.

Specified Technical Skills II is a visa for foreigners who work in industries that require skilled skills, and there is no upper limit to the period of stay. Currently, however, only two industries, construction and shipbuilding/marine industry, are covered by this visa.

In order to obtain a visa for a specific skilled skill No. 2, you must first work for five years in a specific skilled skill No. 1 and then pass an examination, etc. In addition, when changing the status of residence from Tokutei Gijutsu 1 to 2, the application must be made within the same type of industry.

If you wish to bring in family members on a Specified Technical Visa, please note that these conditions must be met. In particular, those who are seeking to change their status from Specified Technical Skills No. 1 to No. 2 should make preparations in a systematic manner.

Family members of a person holding a college student visa staying in Japan

Whether or not international students can bring their families to Japan depends on the educational institution they are enrolled in.

International students attending universities, graduate schools, and special training colleges are allowed to bring their family members as their dependents. On the other hand, foreign students attending vocational schools, Japanese language schools, and other schools are not allowed to bring their family members.

However, the Ministry of Justice has established special measures to allow foreign students to invite their families to live in Japan, and if they change their visa status to a specified technical visa after graduation, their families can also continue to stay in Japan (Source: Nishinippon Shimbun article dated January 26, 2020, "From studying abroad to 'specified technical skills,' family members can also remain," Ministry of Justice acceptance: "It is unreasonable to return home").

This measure allows families of international students to continue living in Japan without having to return home once they have done so. For those who are considering changing from a college student visa to a special skilled visa, this system will enable them to remain in Japan with their families.

When international students bring their family members to Japan, it is important to first check whether the educational institution they are enrolled in allows them to bring their family members.

How to apply for a Family Resident Visa and required documents

To apply for a family residence visa, various document preparation and procedures are required. Here, we will explain in detail the documents required to apply for a Family Resident Visa and the application procedure with reference to the official website of the Immigration and Residence Management Agency.

In order to bring family members to Japan, several steps must be taken, beginning with the preparation of the application documents and then the procedures at the Immigration Bureau. It is important to select the appropriate application method according to the applicant's situation.

Documents required for family residence visa application

The documents required to apply for a family residence visa are detailed on the official website of the Immigration and Immigration Services Agency. The main documents to be submitted are as follows

  1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)
  2. Photograph (4 cm (H) x 3 cm (W), 1 sheet)
  3. Return envelope (with 404 yen stamped envelope)
  4. Documents proving the status of the dependent and the dependent's relationship (family register, certificate of acceptance of marriage registration, marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
  5. A copy of the dependent's residence card or passport (1 copy)
  6. Documents certifying the occupation and income of the dependent (certificate of employment, tax payment certificate, etc.)
  7. Presentation of documents proving identity (ID card, etc.)

Particular attention should be paid to details such as the size of the photograph and whether or not a return envelope is required. Be sure to check your documents before submitting them, as incomplete documentation can be a major obstacle to your application.

In addition, the applicant is required to submit not only a certificate of employment but also a certificate of tax payment as documentation of the dependent's occupation and income. If you have just arrived in Japan and have no tax payment record, please consult with the regional immigration office.

How to apply for a Family Resident Visa

Application for a Family Resident Visa is made at the Immigration Office. The application procedure varies depending on the location of the family.

  1. Application for permission to change status of residence (if family members are already in Japan)
    • An application must be filed from the occurrence of the reason for the change of status of residence until the expiration date of the period of stay.
    • Please proceed with the procedures well in advance so as not to miss the application deadline.
  2. Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for family members abroad)
    • A Certificate of Eligibility must be issued prior to the family member's entry into Japan.
    • Apply as soon as possible and wait for the certificate to be issued before bringing in family members.

The application window is at the regional immigration office in the area where you live. You can check the jurisdiction of the regional immigration bureau on the official website of the Immigration Bureau.

Although many documents and procedures are required to apply for a family residence visa, you should carefully prepare them one by one, referring to the information on the official website. If you have any questions, it is a good idea to consult with the Immigration Bureau or a specialist.

Reference:Status of Residence "Family Visa"｜ Immigration and Naturalization Service

Can I work on a family residence visa?

In principle, foreign nationals who have obtained a Family Resident Visa cannot work in Japan. This is because the Family Visa is not a visa for the purpose of working, but only for the stay of family members accompanying dependents.

However, if certain conditions are met, it is possible for foreigners with a Family Visa to work in Japan. The way to do this is to obtain permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence.

Dependents with family residence visas who wish to work

If a foreigner staying in Japan on a Family Visa wishes to work, he/she must first obtain a Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence. Once they have obtained the Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence, they are allowed to work part-time up to 28 hours per week.

However, they may not work in the entertainment industry or in jobs prohibited by law. In addition, working hours must always be limited to 28 hours per week. If you work beyond this time limit, your status of residence may be revoked.

There are two ways to obtain a Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence

  1. If you are applying for a new family residence visa
    • At the same time as applying for a family residence visa, an application for permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence will be filed.
    • Submit the required documents to the regional immigration office.
  2. If you already have a family residence visa
    • Fill out the application form for permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence, and submit it to the regional immigration office together with your passport and residence card.
    • If permission is granted after the examination, the permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence will be noted on the residence card.

By obtaining a Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence, a foreigner with a Family Resident Visa can work within a certain range. However, this is limited to work within the scope that does not interfere with the activities of the original status of residence.

If you wish to work in Japan, we recommend that you consider changing your visa status from a family visa to a work visa.

How to change a family residence visa to a work visa

Foreign nationals who wish to change from a family residence visa to a work visa have several options. The three main work visas are

1. student visa

By enrolling in a university, graduate school, or vocational school and obtaining a college student visa, students will be able to work part-time or other employment. However, working hours are limited to 28 hours per week.

2. advanced professional visa

This visa is for foreign nationals with a high degree of expertise or skill.

The three categories of "highly skilled professional 1" are "advanced academic research activities," "advanced professional/technical activities," and "advanced business/managerial activities. Advanced Specialist II is for foreign nationals who have been working as an Advanced Specialist I for three years or more, and there is no upper limit to the period of stay.

Specified Technical Visa

This visa is for foreigners with certain skills in specific industries.

The period of stay for the specified technical skill No. 1 is limited to a total of five years, and family members are not allowed to accompany the foreigner. The specified technical skill No. 2 category is for foreign nationals with a skilled skill, has no upper limit on the period of stay, and allows family members to accompany the foreign national.

Procedures for changing to a work visa

If you wish to change to one of these work visas, you must take the following steps

  1. Preparation of required documents
    • Application for Change of Status of Residence
    • passport
    • A resident card
    • Photo
    • Documents containing the employment contract and amount of remuneration from the place of employment
    • Certificate of registration and financial documents of the place of employment
    • Documents certifying the applicant's education and employment history
    • Other documents required depending on status of residence
  2. Application at the regional immigration office
    • Submit the required documents to the regional immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
    • If the change of status of residence is approved after the examination, a residence card will be issued.

Preparation is important for changing from a family residence visa to a work visa, as the requirements for each visa must be met. Change of status can take time, so make sure to apply well in advance.

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summary

In this article, we have explained in detail about the "Family Resident Visa" required for foreigners working in Japan to bring their family members over.

Family Resident Visa is for spouses and children of foreign nationals with work visas, and can be obtained if certain conditions are met. In addition, there are cases in which family members are allowed to accompany foreign nationals on certain non-working visas, such as college student visas and specified technical visas.

Living with family in Japan is a great attraction and support for foreign residents. On the other hand, in order to bring family members to Japan, a certain financial basis and legal procedures are required.

Another option is to hire a professional visa consultant, as the application process for a family residence visa can be complicated and time-consuming. The flow and fees for hiring a visa consultant are explained in detail in the following article.
▶︎ Explanation of the process and fees when a visa consultant is hired to apply for a visa.

You can apply for a family residence visa on your own or ask a specialist to do it for you. Choose the method that best suits your situation and budget.

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