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Obtaining a Dependent Visa (Family Stay) is just the beginning.
As your life circumstances evolve—such as changes in employment, children growing up, or a spouse wishing to work—you may need to renew or change the status of residence.

In this article, we explain when and how to renew or change your Dependent Visa, and how to avoid problems by preparing the right documents at the right time.

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1. What Is a “Renewal” of a Dependent Visa?

● Extending your current period of stay

Dependent Visas are typically issued for 1 or 3 years.
If you wish to continue living in Japan with your family, you must apply for renewal before the expiration date.

● When to apply for renewal

You can submit a renewal application up to 3 months before the current visa expires.

● What immigration checks at renewal

• Has the sponsor’s (usually the spouse or parent in Japan) residency and job status remained stable?
• Is the child (if applicable) attending school, especially if they are of compulsory school age?
• Does the family continue to live together in Japan with adequate income and housing?

● Common pitfalls

• The sponsor lost their job and didn’t submit an explanation
• Income decreased significantly without additional documentation
• Children were not enrolled in school despite being of school age

✅ Tip: When your circumstances change, submit a letter of explanation and supporting documents to prevent misunderstanding.

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2. When Do You Need to “Change” the Visa Type?

In some situations, your Dependent Visa is no longer appropriate, and you must apply for a change of status of residence.

Case 1: Spouse wants to work full-time

Dependent Visa holders cannot work full-time.
They may apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” to work up to 28 hours/week.

But for full-time work, you must change to a working visa, such as:

• Interpreter, translator, or language teacher → Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Entrepreneur or company founder → Business Manager

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Case 2: Child is graduating high school

When a child turns 18 and finishes high school:

• If they continue to study, they need to switch to a Student Visa.
• If they wish to work, they must apply for a work visa after securing a job offer.

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Case 3: Divorce or death of the sponsor

If the relationship that formed the basis for the Dependent Visa ends, the status becomes invalid.
In such cases, you may need to apply for a different status, such as Long-Term Resident (Teijusha) or Spouse of Japanese National depending on your situation.

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3. Required Documents and Key Considerations

Typical documents for renewals or changes include:

• Application form for renewal or change of status
• Valid passport and residence card
• Tax certificates (from the sponsor)
• Certificate of school enrollment (for children)
• Written explanation of any changes in situation
• Employment contract or company registration (for work visa applications)

Important points:

• All documents must accurately reflect your current life situation
• Be consistent: your explanation and documents must match
• Don’t submit vague or incomplete materials—this may delay or even hurt your case

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4. When to Consult an Immigration Specialist

It’s wise to seek expert advice when:

• The sponsor changed jobs or became self-employed
• The visa holder plans to start a business
• There has been divorce, separation, or death of a family member
• The child is transitioning from school to work

An immigration lawyer or certified administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) can help you plan your application and avoid costly mistakes.

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Final Thoughts: Stay Compliant by Staying Informed

A Dependent Visa is not permanent—it must evolve as your life does.
Whether you're applying for renewal or switching to a new status, early preparation and proper documentation are key to maintaining lawful residency in Japan.

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In Part 5, we’ll discuss:
“Visa Cancellations and Violations — How to Avoid Mistakes That Could End Your Stay”.
We'll highlight common pitfalls that could lead to losing your visa status—and how to prevent them.

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