You have family living in your country and you wish to bring them to Japan to live with you as soon as possible. I think it is your sincere wish.

Especially if your elderly parent lives alone in your country and you are concerned about him/her.

You work hard for your family, but at the same time, you may force your family  to endure against your will.

It is natural that you want to solve your problem if it is possible.  

Is there a solution to this?

This time, I would like to explain the Dependent Visa（Family Visa)

What is a Dependent Visa?

The Dependent Visa is the status of residence for those who are living on a working visa to bring their dependents to Japan.

Dependent Visa is also known as Family Visa in Japan.

Family members  whom you can bring to Japan are limited to “spouse” and “children”.

Parents and siblings are not eligible.

※Spouse is a person who is legally married. Therefore, common-law partner is not included.

It also does not include same-sex partners.

To obtain a Family  Visa, the following requirements must be met

1.Spouse or child is eligible for Family Resident Visa

2. Both spouse and children must receive support

3.Sufficient funds for the family’s stay

4.Not applicable to the grounds for denial of entry.

What is a support?

Definition of supporting or being supported as dependent is as follows.

1.Supporters (foreign residents in Japan) have the intention to support his/her spouse and children.

2.There is a financial backing to support the dependents.

These two show that spouse and children depend on the supporter financially.

Your children have already been graduated from the high school, and work and have an income.

Your spouse works and is financially independent.

In these cases, they are not considered dependents.

Elderly parents

If you are concerned about your elderly parents, is there any possibility of bringing them to Japan?

Disappointingly, it is impossible to bring your parents, siblings, etc. to Japan on the Dependent Visa.

Instead, in very limited cases, it is possible  by obtaining a Designated Activities Visa.

Suppose you have a parent living alone in your country.

There are no children and relatives around to take care of her/him.

In that case,  permission could be granted only for humanitarian reasons. 

Meaning that there is no guarantee to  be able to prove your situations successfully and correctly to the Japanese authorities.

Furthermore,this procedure is more difficult, because it requires to change from Short-term Stay Visa.

So, time matters as well.

Which Visa do you need to bring your dependents to Japan?  

Among Visas, there are some that are allowed to bring the dependent to Japan and some are not.

Visas that allows you to apply for the dependent visa.

・Professor

・Artist

・Religious activities

・Journalist

・Highly skilled professional

・Business manager

・Legal/Accounting services

・Medical services

・Researcher

・Instructor

・Engineer/ Specialist in humanities/ International services

・Intra-company transferee

・Nursing care

・Entertainer

・Skilled labor

・Cultural activities

・※Student

Visas  that does not allow you to apply for the dependent visa.

・Diplomat

・Official

・Technical intern training

・Short-term stay

・※Student

※About Student Visa

Bringing dependents to Japan on the student visa may be permitted, but it is not easy. 

The Student Visa is not a status that is intended for working and having an income to support dependents, in the first place.

Certainly, it is possible to work at a part-time job by obtaining Permission to Engage in Activities Other than Permitted Under the Status of Residence.

However, the purpose of use of the income that is obtained from this special permission is to supplement the shortfall in tuition and living expenses.

Considering the current situation where most students work, it is rare to have the ability to support the dependent without working.

Ultimately, it will become possible to bring the dependents to Japan, by proving the financial backing that does not require working.   

Is there a minimum income or saving amount?

How much deposit or income is required for Immigration to be regarded as supportable?

There is no definite standard as to deposit. 

Though, considering the family structure, it is considered enough to have a deposit to cover living expenses for about 1 year from the time of entry to Japan. 

There is no definite standard as to income either.

As a rough guide, the welfare in the area where you live is useful.

It means that it is impossible to support the dependent if you cannot have a minimum standard of living.

While the amount of money is important, having a continuous and stable income is also important as well.