Japan Family Reunification 2026: Visas, Documents and Time
Japan has no single “family reunification visa”. The status a family member receives depends on who they are joining. The spouse or child of a foreign worker or student comes as a Dependent. The spouse or child of a Japanese national or of a permanent resident has a status of their own, with no limit on work. This guide sets out each route, the documents the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) asks for, and how long the Certificate of Eligibility took in ISA's latest monthly figures, as read on the official pages on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
The first step is a Certificate of Eligibility, applied for in Japan, where a proxy can file it for the applicant. It carries no fee and has a standard processing period of 1 to 3 months. For certificates issued in July 2026, ISA's averages, counted in days, were 70.0 for Dependent and 106.5 for Spouse or Child of Japanese National. The family member then applies for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate, where the standard is 5 working days. Dependents may work only with permission, up to 28 hours a week.
Which status applies to your family
| Who is in Japan | Status for the family member | Period of stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| A foreign resident with a listed work status, Cultural Activities or Student | Dependent, for a spouse or child they support | Set individually, 5 years or less | Only with permission, up to 28 hours a week |
| A Japanese national | Spouse or Child of Japanese National | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months | No restriction |
| A permanent resident | Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months | No restriction |
| A permanent resident, a long-term resident or the holder of a spouse status, joined by a minor, unmarried biological child they support | Long-Term Resident | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or a designated term of 5 years or less | No restriction |
| A highly skilled professional | Dependent for a spouse or child, with further options for a working spouse and for parents | Depends on the status | Depends on the status |
The Dependent status: family of workers and students
ISA defines the Dependent status as the daily activities of a spouse or child supported by a person residing in Japan with one of these statuses: 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, Specified Skilled Worker (ii), Cultural Activities or Student.
- Who it covers: a spouse or a child. Parents are not named in the definition.
- Who is not on the sponsor list: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Technical Intern Training do not appear in it. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) does.
- Proof of support: the sponsor shows an occupation and income or, where the sponsor does not work, funds that can cover the family member's living costs.
- Period of stay: a term set individually by the Minister of Justice, not exceeding 5 years.
Documents for the Certificate of Eligibility
- The application form, one photograph and a stamped return envelope.
- A document proving the relationship: a copy of the family register, a certificate of acceptance of the marriage registration, a copy of the marriage certificate or a copy of the birth certificate.
- A copy of the sponsor's residence card or passport.
- If the sponsor works: a certificate of employment or a copy of the business licence, and the resident tax certificates showing a year's total income and tax payment status.
- If the sponsor does not work, for example a student: a bank balance certificate in the sponsor's name, or a scholarship certificate stating the amount and period.
Certificates issued in Japan must have been issued within the last 3 months, and documents in a foreign language need a Japanese translation.
Joining a Japanese spouse
The foreign husband or wife of a Japanese national applies for the status Spouse or Child of Japanese National. For the Certificate of Eligibility ISA asks for:
- The Japanese spouse's family register showing the marriage.
- A marriage certificate issued by an authority of the applicant's own country.
- Proof of living costs in Japan: the most recent year's resident tax certificates of the person covering them, or where those are not available, bank records or a certificate of prospective employment from a company in Japan.
- A letter of guarantee from the Japanese spouse, who must be the guarantor and live in Japan.
- The resident record of the Japanese spouse's whole household.
- A questionnaire, which ISA publishes in English and other languages.
- Two or three snapshots showing the couple together clearly. Photos edited in an app are not accepted. Social media or call records can be added.
If the Japanese spouse cannot apply for the certificate in Japan, for example because the couple already live together abroad, MOFA says to consult the embassy or consulate in advance.
Family of permanent residents and long-term residents
- Spouse of a permanent resident: the visa is the specified visa for a spouse of a permanent resident, with a period of stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months.
- Children: ISA lists as Long-Term Resident a minor, unmarried biological child who lives supported by a permanent resident, a long-term resident, or the holder of a spouse status.
- Age: since 1 April 2022 “minor” in that rule means under 18. A person aged 18 or over cannot newly enter as a minor, unmarried biological child.
- Young adopted children: an adopted child under 6 who is supported by a Japanese national, permanent resident or long-term resident is also listed.
Highly skilled professionals: spouse and parents
- Spouse and children: they can accompany the professional or be sent for later. A spouse who enters as a dependent may work after obtaining permission, on the same terms as the Dependent status.
- Parents: a parent of the professional or of their spouse can come to provide childcare for a child under the age of 7, or care during pregnancy, if certain conditions are met.
- Income condition: an annual household income of at least 8 million yen, counting the remuneration of the professional and their spouse.
The process, step by step
- Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility in Japan. It is filed at the regional immigration office for the planned place of residence, and can be applied for online. MOFA notes that a proxy in Japan can make the application.
- Receive the certificate, on paper or by email.
- Apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate with a passport, one visa application form, one photograph and the certificate or a printed copy.
- Enter Japan. At Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima and Fukuoka airports the residence card is issued at the airport when landing permission is given.
For the Dependent visa, MOFA says an application can be made without a certificate, and warns that the applicant will then have to submit a large amount of verification documents and that it could take several months.
How long it takes
| Step | Official time |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility, standard processing period | 1 to 3 months |
| Dependent, ISA average for certificates issued in July 2026 | 70.0, counted in days |
| Long-Term Resident, same month | 86.5 |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National, same month | 106.5 |
| Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, same month | 116.1 |
| Visa at the embassy, application with no problem in its content | 5 working days from the day following receipt |
ISA's averages run from receipt of the application to issue and include time spent waiting for additional documents. Refusals and withdrawn applications are not counted. ISA warns that an application with missing documents can be delayed significantly.
Cost
- Certificate of Eligibility: no fee.
- Visa: approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa, paid in local currency, since 1 July 2026. Depending on nationality, a fee may not be required or the amount may differ.
- Later, in Japan: extending a period of stay or changing status costs from 10,000 yen to 75,000 yen since 1 October 2026. The table is in our Japan visa fees guide.
Working, and what to report
- Dependents: the status does not permit work. With permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted, a blanket permission covers up to 28 hours of work per week, excluding work in the entertainment and amusement business.
- Spouse statuses and Long-Term Resident: ISA's guidebook lists these among the statuses permitted to work without restriction.
- Divorce or death of a spouse: a person holding Dependent, Spouse of Japanese National or Spouse of Permanent Resident status as a spouse must notify ISA within 14 days.
Notes by nationality
- Chinese nationals must also submit a copy of the Chinese family register, a temporary residence permit or residence certificate where it applies, and a questionnaire.
- Second-generation Japanese-Filipinos applying in Manila, and second-generation Japanese-Brazilians applying in Sao Paulo, must also submit documents showing Japanese ancestry and a criminal record certificate.
- Tuberculosis screening: MOFA's long-stay page carries a note that pre-entry tuberculosis screening will apply to nationals of the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar and China.
Frequently asked questions
Does Japan have a family reunification visa?
Not under that name. A spouse or child joining a foreign worker or student receives the Dependent status. A spouse or child of a Japanese national or permanent resident receives a spouse-or-child status. Certain children receive Long-Term Resident status.
How long does a Japan dependent visa take?
The Certificate of Eligibility has a standard processing period of 1 to 3 months. ISA's average for Dependent certificates issued in July 2026 was 70.0, counted in days. The visa at the embassy then has a standard of 5 working days.
Can I bring my parents to Japan?
The Dependent status covers a spouse or child, not parents. Highly skilled professionals can bring a parent to care for a child under the age of 7 or during pregnancy, with an annual household income of at least 8 million yen and other conditions.
Can a dependent work in Japan?
Only with permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted. The blanket permission allows up to 28 hours of work per week and excludes the entertainment and amusement business.
Can the spouse of a Japanese national work in Japan?
Yes. ISA's guidebook lists Spouse or Child of Japanese National among the statuses permitted to work without restriction, together with Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident and Long-Term Resident.
Can Specified Skilled Workers bring family to Japan?
ISA's definition of the Dependent status names Specified Skilled Worker (ii) as a sponsoring status. Specified Skilled Worker (i) is not in the list.
How much does it cost to bring family to Japan?
The Certificate of Eligibility is free. A single-entry visa costs approximately 15,000 yen since 1 July 2026, and some nationalities are exempt or pay a different amount.
Official sources
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Status of residence “Dependent” (Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Long-Term Resident (Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Processing periods for residence examinations (Japanese)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — General visa: Dependent (family stays)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Specified visa: Spouse or child of Japanese national
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Specified visa: Spouse of permanent resident
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Specified visa: Long-term resident
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa Processing Time
All times, amounts and rules verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. ISA averages are for permits granted in July 2026, the latest month published. Information, not legal advice.