Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You'll apply for a dependent visa in two stages: first, your sponsor (the family member already in Japan) obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Immigration Bureau, then you apply for the actual visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
Stage 1: Sponsor Applies for Certificate of Eligibility in Japan
Your sponsor can submit the COE application either in person at a Regional Immigration Bureau or online through the Immigration Online System.
Step 1: Gather required documents
Your sponsor must prepare:
- Application form for Certificate of Eligibility (available at the Immigration Bureau or online)
- One photograph (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
- Copy of the sponsor's Residence Card
- Copy of the sponsor's passport (ID page and any pages showing residence stamps)
- Resident Record (Juminhyo) listing all household members
- Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption certificate proving your family relationship
- Documents proving the sponsor's occupation and income (Certificate of Employment, tax certificates, recent pay slips, or tax return)
- All documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by a certified Japanese translation
If the sponsor is a student, also provide:
- Certificate of Enrollment
- Scholarship Certificate (if applicable)
- Bank Balance Certificate showing sufficient savings to support the family
If housing is rented, include:
- Rental contract or lease agreement
Step 2: Submit the application
In-person submission: Visit the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau in the sponsor's jurisdiction. Bring the completed application and all documents. No appointment is required at most offices, but you may wait 1–2 hours.
Online submission: Use the Immigration Online System. Upload scanned copies of all documents. You'll receive a reference number and can track your application status online.
Step 3: Wait for COE approval
Processing typically takes 1 to 3 months. The Immigration Bureau may request additional documents if your sponsor's income appears unstable, if there was a recent job change, or if explanations in the documents are unclear. Check the Immigration Services Agency website for current processing times by office.
Step 4: Receive the COE
Once approved, the COE is issued as a physical certificate (if submitted in person) or as a PDF (if submitted online). The COE is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your sponsor must send it to you immediately, typically via international courier (EMS) or by email if received digitally.
Stage 2: You Apply for a Visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate
Step 5: Gather visa application documents
You'll need:
- Your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay)
- Completed visa application form (obtainable from the embassy/consulate website or in person)
- One photograph (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months)
- Original Certificate of Eligibility (or printed copy if received digitally)
For Chinese nationals, also provide:
- Copy of your Family Register (Hukou)
- Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate (if you don't have a family register in the jurisdiction of the embassy/consulate)
- Completed questionnaire (available on the embassy/consulate website)
Step 6: Submit your visa application
Visit the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Most embassies accept applications during morning hours (typically 9:00 AM–12:00 PM). Some embassies allow online appointment booking; check your local embassy's website.
Bring your completed application form, passport, photograph, and COE. Pay the visa fee (see Fees section below).
Step 7: Attend an interview (if required)
Depending on your country, the embassy may conduct a brief interview. Be prepared to explain your family relationship, your sponsor's employment, and your plans in Japan. Interviews typically last 5–10 minutes.
Step 8: Receive your visa
Visa issuance typically takes 5 to 10 business days, though some embassies may issue within 1–2 weeks. You can collect your passport in person or arrange for courier delivery (additional fee).
Stage 3: Enter Japan and Register Your Residence
Step 9: Enter Japan with your visa
Arrive at a Japanese airport or port with your passport and visa. Immigration will stamp your passport and issue a Residence Card (Zairyu Card) on the spot. This card is your proof of legal residence status.
Step 10: Register at your local municipal office
Within 14 days of arrival, visit the municipal office (Shiyakusho or Kuyakusho) in your ward or city. Bring your passport, Residence Card, and proof of your address (rental contract or letter from your sponsor). Complete resident registration. This step is mandatory and takes about 15 minutes.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility application | Free |
| Dependent visa application at embassy/consulate | ¥3,000–¥6,000 (~$20–$40 USD) |
| Visa renewal (change of status) | ¥6,000 (as of April 2025) |
| Dependent visa renewal | ¥50,000 |
Total estimate for initial application: ¥3,000–¥6,000 (visa fee only; COE is free).
Does not include: International courier costs for sending the COE to you (typically ¥2,000–¥5,000 via EMS), professional translation of foreign-language documents (¥5,000–¥20,000 depending on volume), or optional fees if you hire an immigration lawyer or administrative scrivener (¥150,000 for COE application; ¥150,000 for status change; ¥50,000 for renewal).
Processing Time
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application: 1–3 months. Processing times vary by Regional Immigration Bureau and season. The Immigration Services Agency publishes monthly updates showing current processing days for each office. If immigration requests additional documents (common if your sponsor's income is unstable or recently changed), processing may extend by 2–4 weeks.
Visa application at embassy/consulate: 5–10 business days for standard processing. Some embassies issue within 1–2 weeks; others may take up to 3 weeks depending on workload and whether an interview is required.
Total end-to-end timeline: 2–3 months from the date your sponsor submits the COE application to the date you receive your visa. This assumes no requests for additional documents and no delays in international mail.
Validity of documents: The COE is valid for 90 days from issuance. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Once you enter Japan, your Residence Card is valid for the period granted (typically 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years, usually matching your sponsor's visa period).
Factors that may speed up or delay processing:
- Seasonal congestion: Applications submitted during spring (March–May) or summer (July–August) may take longer.
- Completeness of application: Submitting all documents correctly and completely on the first attempt avoids delays.
- Job changes: If your sponsor recently changed jobs, immigration may request additional income documentation, adding 2–4 weeks.
- Income stability concerns: If your sponsor's income is near the practical support threshold (¥2.5–¥3 million per year), immigration may request bank statements or savings certificates, extending processing by 1–2 weeks.
- Housing concerns: If your accommodation appears unsuitable for family cohabitation, immigration may request a rental contract or housing explanation, adding 1–2 weeks.