Family and spouse visas in Japan

In Japan, the family visa (家族滞在ビザ, kazoku taizai biza) category allows foreign nationals to join their loved ones already living in the country. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA – 外務省, Gaimu Sho), Japan issued 90,306 visas in 2021, which was lower than usual due to the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. It does not specify the number of family visas. Immigrants (移民, imin) come from across the world, including Vietnam, China, the US, the Philippines, South Korea, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, and India.

Siblings (brother and sister) walking around an airport with their luggage — Photo: Tatsushi Takada/Getty Images

MOFA is the government (政府, seifu) department that manages and issues family visas in Japan and organizes these into three categories:

Dependent family (扶養家族, fuyo kazoku) of a work visa (就労ビザ, shuro biza) holder (家族滞在, kazoku taizai)
Spouse or child (配偶者/子, haigusha/ko) of a Japanese national (日本人の配偶者等, nihon-jin no haigusha to)
Spouse of a permanent resident (永住者, eiju sha) (永住者の配偶者等, eiju-sha no haigusha to)

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Japanese visas: how to immigrate to Japan

Compared to other countries, strict immigration policies can make applying for a family or spouse visa in Japan challenging. The difficulty level depends on various factors, including the applicant’s relationship with the sponsor, their financial status, or the sponsor’s ability to support the applicant.

Which documents do you need to supply?

To successfully apply for a Japanese family visa, applicants must also provide a range of documents, such as:

Marriage (結婚証明書, kekkon shomei sho) or birth certificates (出生証明書, shussho shomei sho) (or proof of legal adoption – 特別養子縁組, tokubetsu yoshi engumi)
Proof of financial stability (e.g., bank accounts or employment contracts)
Proof of permanent residence in Japan (e.g., residence card (在留カード, zairyu kado) or passport)

The visa authority can take several months to process applications (申請, shinsei), so it is best to start the process as soon as you decide to join the sponsor for longer than 90 days.

Who can move to Japan to join their family?

Who doesn’t require a family or a spouse visa?

Individuals not requiring family visas in Japan include those already holding a different type of visa. For example, a work or student visa (留学ビザ, ryugaku biza) would allow them to reside independently in Japan even if they join their family living there. Additionally, citizens of countries with a visa waiver agreement (ビザ免除協定, biza menjo kyotei) can enter and stay in Japan – visa-free – for up to 90 days. However, this option does not permit long-term residence or employment.

Who needs a family or spouse visa?

Close family members of Japanese citizens or permanent residents are eligible to move to the country under the family visa category. Spouse visas (配偶者等ビザ, haigusha to biza) in Japan cover husbands, wives, and civil partners, while children (by birth or adoption) can join the sponsor on dependent family visas. However, other dependent family members, such as parents or siblings, may also apply under specific circumstances.

Parents playing with a small child in their new apartment full of moving boxes — Photo: Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

All applicants must demonstrate a genuine relationship with their sponsoring family member and provide proof of financial stability by submitting supporting documents. Consequently, the Japanese government carefully evaluates each application to ensure that the applicant meets all requirements and that the family member residing in Japan can adequately support them.

How to apply for a spouse or family visa

The application process is the same for all types of family visas. Only the supporting documents may differ depending on the familial relationship. Generally, you need to follow these steps:

First, the sponsor must request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE – 在留資格認定証明書, zairyu shikaku nintei shomei-sho) from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ – 法務省, Homu Sho) to prove you both meet the visa requirements
Next, the family member can apply via the Japanese embassy (日本大使館, Nihon Taishi-kan) in their home country or with the regional bureau of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA – 出入国在留管理庁, Shutsu-nyukoku Zairyu Kanri-Cho)

Also, remember to include the following documents with your application:

Passport (パスポート, pasupoto) of applicant (country of origin)
Residence, citizenship, or visa status of the sponsor living in Japan (e.g., Japanese passport or residence card)
Proof of relationship status (e.g., marriage, birth, or adoption certificate)
The COE
Passport photo
Application fee

Costs of family visas

Fees may vary – if you apply through a Japanese consulate (日本総領事館, Nihon So Ryoji-kan) outside the country – but expect to pay between ¥3,000 (single entry) and ¥6,000 (multiple entry).

Japanese family visa types

Below are the categories of family or spouse visas in Japan:

Spouses of Japanese nationals: Through marriage or civil union – allows a spouse to live and work in Japan
Spouses of permanent residents: Through marriage or civil union – allows a spouse to live and work in Japan
Children of Japanese nationals/permanent residents: Dependent children (biological and adopted) can apply to live and attend school in Japan
Spouses of long-term residents: Spouses/partners can live in Japan but may have limited employment options. Long-term residents include work visa holders or persons with Japanese ancestry, Indo-Chinese refugee settlers, or the spouse/children of Japanese nationals left behind in China.
Other dependent family members: Parents or siblings of Japanese nationals/permanent residents can apply for a dependent visa if the sponsor can support them financially

Each type of family visa is valid for varied durations and affords the holder slightly different entitlements:

Categories	Entitlements	Validity
Spouse/children of Japanese nationals	Residency, work, and study without any specific restrictions Access to public services, such as healthcare and education	One year but can be extended
Spouses/children of permanent residents	Residency, work, and study without any specific restrictions Access to public services, such as healthcare and education	Six months to five years
Spouses of long-term residents	Residency, but may have restrictions on work, and study options Access to public services, such as healthcare and education	Six months to five years
Other dependent family members	Residency status while living with their sponsoring family member Allowed to enroll in the education system and language classes Only limited employment options	Up to five years

Short-term visits to family members in Japan

A short-term stay visa (短期滞在ビザ, tanki taizai biza) is usually appropriate for non-compensatory visits (under three months/90 days) to family members in Japan. This visa does not allow you to work or study in the country. You can apply at your local Japanese embassy or consulate before travelling to Japan.

Remember to take along the required documents with you, including:

Completed application form
Passport (applicant and sponsor)
Passport photo

On a balcony, one mom hangs up the washing, while the other mom holds their baby — Photo: Tayutau/Getty Images

Spouses, partners, or dependent children who want to stay in Japan for longer than 90 days but shorter than 12 months should instead apply for a dependent family visa. It permits residence in Japan with the sponsor if they have a work visa, permanent residency, or citizenship. However, there will be restrictions on the applicants’ ability to work or study.

Citizens of countries with visa waiver agreements (e.g., Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland) can enter Japan without a visa for short visits.

Visiting family members in Japan who only have a temporary visa

Spouses or partners and children may use the dependent family visa to join a family member who resides temporarily in Japan on a work or student visa. Of course, the sponsor must provide proof of their financial ability (e.g., bank account or employment contract) to cover their dependents’ cost of living for the duration of their stay.

Joining refugees or asylum seekers in Japan on family visas

The Japan Immigration Bureau manages refugee applications (難民認定申請, nanmin nintei shinsei), mostly accepting asylum seekers (亡命希望者, bomei kibo-sha) from Myanmar, Turkey, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Even though the country accepts refugees (難民, nanmin) and asylum seekers, its policies are stringent. For instance, out of 3,722 applicants in 2022, the government only approved 202 applications.

A family of Ukrainian refugees arrives at Haneda Airport in Tokyo — Ukrainian refugees arrive at Haneda Airport (羽田空港, *Haneda Kuko*) in Tokyo (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Consequently, it is even more difficult for a registered refugee’s spouse or children to join them in Japan. Nonetheless, they should use the dependent family visa to apply. Other visas may be issued, depending on the specific circumstances. As such, it would be advisable to seek specialist professional advice from a Japanese immigration lawyer (移民法弁護士, imin-ho bengoshi) to improve the success rate of the application.

When family members arrive on a family or spouse visa in Japan

Once you have joined your sponsoring family member, you must register your residency status within 14 days of moving to Japan at your local municipal office. You will be issued a residence card (在留カード, zairyu kado), which you need to carry with you at all times as proof of your immigration status.

The card will include the following:

Full names
Registered home address
Visa/residency status
Duration of stay/expiration date

What do you do following the death or divorce of a family member?

In the event of divorce (離婚, rikon) or death (死亡, shibo) of the sponsoring family member, visa holders should immediately contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Depending on their circumstances, they may need to change their visa status or apply for a visa extension.

Complaints and appeals

In Japan, if your visa application is denied, you may submit a written objection to ISA within two months of the rejection. It’s essential to provide valid reasons and supporting documents to strengthen your case. Furthermore, consulting an immigration lawyer is advisable in preparing an effective appeal.

Useful resources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA – 外務省, Gaimu Sho) – the government department governing foreign policy and consular services and lists Japanese embassies worldwide
Ministry of Justice (MOJ – 法務省, Homu Sho) – oversees work immigration policies
Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA – 出入国在留管理庁, Shutsu-nyukoku Zairyu Kanri-Cho) – official information about immigration and visas in Japan
Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局, Homu Kyoku) – oversees civil administration affairs, including family registers

Family and spouse visas in Japan