If your family member lives in Japan, you can also join them under a Japan family visa. Remember, family members mean spouse and children. Fortunately, the process of applying for a Japanese family visa is not very complicated. All you have to do is submit the required documents based on your visa to the Japanese Embassy. Of course, you need a sponsor to get this visa. In other words, the sponsor is your family members who live in Japan. You will also need a certificate called a Certificate of Eligibility. In the following, we will explain what steps you need to take to obtain this certificate.
We will describe all you need to know about Japan Family Visa, including requirements, the application process, form, processing time, and more.
Japan Family Visa: Application Process
The process of applying for Japanese visas, including family visas, is not very complicated. In short, you must prepare the necessary documents and submit them to the nearest Japanese embassy:
- You must first find the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate nearby. If there is no Japanese embassy in your country, you can send your documents to the Japanese embassy in neighboring countries.
- Prepare the required documents based on the type of visa you want to apply for.
- Documents must be submitted to the embassy directly or through travel agencies. In some cases, the embassy will ask you to provide more documents, or you may need to be interviewed.
- The embassy will review your visa application and decide whether to grant you a visa. If your visa application is approved, it will be stamped in your passport.
Japan Family Visa: Requirements
To obtain a Japanese family visa, you must provide different documents depending on the type of visa, but in general, the following documents are required in most cases:
- The Certificate of Eligibility
- Visa application form: You must go to the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to download this form.
- Valid passport
- Applicant photo: Photo specifications must be as follows:
- The dimensions of your photo should be four by three mm
- It must have been taken in the last three months
- Its background must be white without any shadows
- The whole face in the photo should be visible
- Sponsor letter
- The relationship between the visa applicant and the sponsor must be proven by providing documents such as:
- a birth certificate or
- marriage certificate
- Documents related to the sponsor’s employment in Japan
- Documents related to the sponsor’s annual income and his/her tax payments
- If your sponsor is a foreign national, he/she must also provide a passport and a Registration Certificate.
How to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility?
All foreigners traveling to Japan for nontemporary purposes need this certificate. Your family members living in Japan can apply for this certificate on your behalf. Note that receiving this certificate will not be a substitute for a visa. Instead, it indicates that you have received confirmation from the Japanese Immigration Service.
Japan Family Visa: Types
Different types of Japanese family visas are as follows;
Spouse or child of Japanese nationals
Foreign nationals who marry Japanese citizens or children who were born as a child of Japanese citizens, or foreign children being adopted by Japanese citizens are named Spouse or Child of a Japanese National. Holders of this visa can work without restrictions and can also apply for Permanent Resident status.
Spouse of permanent resident
Spouses of permanent residents in Japan can apply for this visa. This visa is valid for:
- five years,
- three years,
- one year,
- and six months.
Applicants for this visa must also provide a Certificate of Eligibility.
Dependent (Family stays)
This visa is issued only for spouses and children. If your family members want to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, they need this visa. A Certificate of Eligibility is required to obtain this visa.
Let’s sum up…
We examined the types of Japanese family visas, the application process, requirements, and other details. In other sections of the Visa Library website, you can find other types of Japanese visas as well as immigrant and nonimmigrant visas from other countries. You can also share your experiences in the visa application process with other readers and us through the comments section.
My grandson, whom I raised and was his legal gaurdian, is living in Tokyo as a student. I have not seen him since Covid started and want to go visit him. How do I work my way through the process of getting a family visit visa? I have read a lot about it, but remain very confused.
Dear Sammie Rutledge
You need to apply for a family visa at the Japanese embassy in your home country. Schedule a meeting with them and submit the requirements. They will inform you of the rest of the application.
My daughter-in-law is a Japanese national and my son has a marriage visa. They are expecting their first child in Sept. 22. Will I be able to go and see them and how do I apply? Thank you
Where are you from? Determine if you need a visa or not and are a member of the visa waived countries or not. If yes, you can visit Japan with your passport. If not, you need a tourist visa. But if you want to stay for the long term, you need a family visa.
The application process is explained in the article.
I am from the US.