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Dependent — spouse of qualifying foreign resident

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which family relationships qualify?

"Dependent" status covers the spouse (the status covers a spouse or child) who is supported by a foreign resident holding one of the qualifying statuses and carries out daily activities in Japan.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The supporting family member must reside 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.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html
    入管法別表第一の一の表の教授、芸術、宗教、報道、二の表の高度専門職、経営・管理、法律・会計業務、医療、研究、教育、技術・人文知識・国際業務、企業内転勤、介護、興行、技能、特定技能2号、三の表の文化活動又はこの表の留学の在留資格をもって在留する者

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

One of the following proves the relationship: a family register (koseki) extract, a certificate of acceptance of marriage notification, a marriage certificate (copy), a birth certificate (copy), or equivalent documents.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html
    次のいずれかで、申請人と扶養者との身分関係を証する文書 (1) 戸籍謄本 1通 (2) 婚姻届受理証明書 1通 (3) 結婚証明書(写し) 1通 (4) 出生証明書(写し) 1通 (5) 上記(1)~(4)までに準ずる文書 適宜

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The applicant must reside supported by the sponsor. The documents are a copy of the sponsor's residence card or passport and proof of the sponsor's occupation and income: if working or running a business, an employment certificate or business licence copy plus residence-tax and tax payment certificates; otherwise a bank balance certificate in the sponsor's name or a scholarship certificate stating amount and period, or equivalent proof that the applicant's living costs can be paid.

See recorded sources
  • https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/api/1/lawdata/402M50000010016
    申請人が法別表第一の一の表若しくは二の表の上欄の在留資格、文化活動の在留資格又は留学の在留資格(この表の法別表第一の四の表の留学の項の下欄に掲げる活動の項第一号イ又はロに該当するものに限る。)をもって在留する者の扶養を受けて在留すること。
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html
    扶養者の在留カード又は旅券の写し 1通 扶養者の職業及び収入を証する文書 (1) 扶養者が収入を伴う事業を運営する活動又は報酬を受ける活動を行っている場合 在職証明書又は営業許可書の写し等 1通 ※ 扶養者の職業がわかる証明書を提出してください。 住民税の課税(又は非課税)証明書及び納税証明書(1年間の総所得及び納税状況が記載されたもの) 各1通 ※ 1月1日現在お住まいの市区町村の区役所・市役所・役場から発行されます。 ※ 1年間の総所得及び納税状況(税金を納めているかどうか)の両方が記載されている証明書であれば、いずれか一方でかまいません。 ※ 入国後間もない場合や転居等により、お住まいの区役所・市役所・役場から発行されない場合は、最寄りの地方出入国在留管理官署にお問い合わせ下さい。 (2) 扶養者が上記(1)以外の活動を行っている場合 扶養者名義の預金残高証明書又は給付金額及び給付期間を明示した奨学金給付に関する証明書 適宜 上記aに準ずるもので、申請人の生活費用を支弁することができることを証するもの 適宜

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Applications cover a Certificate of Eligibility (new entry), change of status, extension and acquisition of status, and the period of stay is individually designated by the Minister of Justice, up to 5 years. Dependent is a Table 1(4) status: paid work or running an income-generating business requires permission from the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency. A notification concerning the spouse is required if the spouse dies or the couple divorces. The official source does not state a path to independent or longer-term status.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Routes to an independent or longer-term status are not stated on the page read.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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