2026-03-08

As the number of foreign workers in Japan increases, we often receive the question: “Can I live with my family on a work visa?” This article explains the basics of work visas, the system for family stay visas, and important points to note.

What is a Work Visa?

A “work visa” is, literally, the general term for visas (statuses of residence) foreigners obtain to work in Japan. Formally, it is a “status of residence” under the Immigration Control and Residence Management System, categorized by type of activity. For example, “Engineer, Economist, Specialist in International Affairs,” “Executive and Manager,” and “Skilled Labor” are representative work-related statuses of residence (work visas). For highly skilled professionals, there is also the “Highly Skilled Professional” status of residence.

These work visas generally permit employment only within the scope of the approved job duties. The period of stay is set at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, etc., and renewal procedures are required for those wishing to continue residing in Japan.

To obtain a work visa, the applicant’s educational background, work history, employment contract details, and the stability of the company are reviewed. Permission is not granted based solely on the desire to work; applicants must meet requirements stipulated by law.

Can family members stay with a work visa holder?

In short, many work visas permit family members to accompany the holder (live together in Japan). Eligible family members are, in principle, the “spouse” and “children.” Parents and siblings cannot generally be brought over.

For family members to stay in Japan, they must obtain the “Family Stay” status of residence. This status requires the visa holder (the sponsor) to have stable income and the financial foundation to support their family. Therefore, if income is insufficient or employment is unstable, the Family Stay visa may not be granted.

Note that holders of the “Highly Skilled Professional” status may qualify for an exception allowing broader family accompaniment, such as bringing parents, under certain conditions. It is crucial to understand that the scope and conditions for family members vary significantly depending on the type of residence status.

Key Features of the Family Stay Visa

A major feature of the Family Stay Visa is that employment is generally not permitted. However, obtaining a separate “Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence” allows part-time work for up to 28 hours per week. Working beyond this limit constitutes illegal employment, so caution is essential.

Furthermore, the period of stay for a Family Stay Visa is generally tied to the period of stay of the supporting spouse holding a work visa. Therefore, if the work visa renewal is denied, the family member may also lose their right to stay in Japan.

Changing from a Family Stay Visa to a work visa is possible, but in that case, the requirements for the work visa must be met anew. Simply having resided in Japan for a long time is not sufficient grounds for approval. If there are future plans for the spouse to work full-time, for example, it is important to consider the choice of residence status early on.

Summary

Foreign nationals holding a work visa can, in principle, bring their spouse and children to Japan. However, conditions such as income requirements and work restrictions apply. Understanding the system correctly and selecting the appropriate residence status is the first step towards a secure family life.