Japan Dependent Visa - Definitive Guide

When an immediate family member is dependent on a resident living in japan and is earning and this member of the family wants to stay with the earning individual in Japan, a Japan dependent visa is to be obtained. One of the most common is a Japan dependent visa for wife or spouse of this temporary resident. Another one is a Japan dependent visa for parents which will allow the parents of the temporary Japanese resident to live with them. The visa holder is permitted to stay in the country and is allowed different kinds of tourism and leisure activities. The visa holder may also be allowed to work if it is specified so in the visa policies of the country. The validity of this permit will depend on the stay duration requested by the applicant and the validity of the resident permit holder in Japan.

The applicant first needs to be eligible to be able to apply for and stay on a dependent visa in Japan. This can be known after going through the eligibility criteria specified by the Japanese Embassy. The application process of the dependent permit is offline and the application has to be made through a visa application centre (VAC). A detailed process is given as follows:

1. Download the Japan dependent visa application form from the official website of the visa application centre.
2. Fill out all the required information on the form and go through the checklist provided.
3. Fulfil all the requirements that are asked by the authorities.
4. Attach all the supporting documents along with the photographs as per the specifications.
5. Submit the application form to your nearest branch of the visa application centre.
6. Pay the fee at the time of submission.
7. Collect your passport after the processing of the visa.

The Japan dependent visa application form is one of the basic requirements and is also the most important one. The details in the application form need to be correct and all the information provided should be verifiable. The information in the application form and the passport should be a match and there must be relevant documentary proof for the given information need to be made available as well. If there is any kind of information that is false and cannot be justified, there are chances that the visa application will get rejected. Visa rejection has other kinds of causes as well and there are various ways in which this rejection can jeopardize future visa applications.

Given by the Japanese embassy, there are several criteria that are to be met by the applicant before making the application for a dependent visa for Japan. Listed below are these criteria which can still vary as per the individual case:

• You must have a resident sponsor in Japan
1. The applicant must be directly related to the work visa holder in Japan.
2. The applicants must be sponsored by the work visa holder in Japan.

• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Japan.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide relevant documentary proof.
3. You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.

• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Japan.
2. You need to provide relevant documentary proof for the same (if asked) as well in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

• You must have sufficient funds
1. There must be sufficient funds to support your stay in the country.
2. The travel insurance must be issued from a certified company only.
3. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of documents that vary depending on the relation the dependent has with the earning individual in Japan. Some of the common Japan dependent visa documents are listed as follows:

• Original passport with validity at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel
• Completely filled visa application form
• Two photos as per the photo specifications
• Covering letter
• Certificate of Eligibility
• Copy of sponsor’s passport and proof of registration in Japan
• Proof of relationship
1. Marriage Certificate
2. Birth Certificate
• Proof of confirmed travel dates 
1. Confirmation slip 
2. Air tickets
• Proof of funds possessed by the applicant
1. Certificate of income or tax payment issued by a public agency
2. Bank statement
• Proof of accommodation
1. Invitation letter
2. Rental agreement

The photo specifications for Japan dependent visaare as follows -

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 2 inches x 2 inches.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The validity of a dependent visa for Japan will depend on several factors that include the needs of the applicant and the validity of the resident permit of the host who is going to cover the expenses of the dependents. The permit will mostly be valid for at least more than a year and multiple entries will be permitted to the holder. Also, note that having a valid dependent visa for Japan does not guarantee you an entry into the country. If the border officers find an issue with your permit or yourself, there is a possibility that you shall be asked to leave the country or even deported.

The processing time required for the issuance of the dependent visa for Japan is about 3 to 5 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. Also, if there is no Certificate of Eligibility, the processing will take about 4 months for completion.

The fee for Japan dependent visa is estimated based on several parameters and it will vary as per the type of visa too. It is to be paid to the visa application centres along with the service charges. Also, you must pay the fee only in cash, else if you do not have access to a visa application centre branch, you can send in the fee with a demand draft.

When the submission of the Japan dependent visa application form is done along with your passport and other documents -

• You can then wait for the processing before you can collect your passport. 
• You can choose any feasible branch of the visa application centre as per your reach.
• Meet the checklist that is provided by the centre in order to get the visa sooner. 
• If the documents are missing, it will only take time for the processing and verification of the same.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

The status of your dependent visa for Japan can be tracked online. To check the status, you can visit the official website of the VAC. You will need to enter your reference number and your date of birth to check the processing of the visa. Alternatively, you can call the helpline number provided by the visa application centre to know the status of your visa.

After the submission, the processing will take place and you will then receive the permit. There are certain things that you need to know once you have the visa -

• Before you travel
1. Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
2. You should travel to Japan within the validity of your visa.
3. Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
4. Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.

• At the Border
1. Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
2. Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
3. Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
4. Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
5. Do not forget to fill out the landing card.

• When you enter Japan
1. You may be allowed to get involved in some kind of employment but it must first be checked out with the authorities.
2. The rules and restrictions of the country must be taken seriously and followed at any cost.
3. The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
4. Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.