"Dependent" Residence Status

   The "Dependent" status is issued to dependents of foreign nationals who are in Japan for the purpose of employment. With the Dependent status, which is issued to family members of foreign workers, family members can also work under certain conditions. Conditions and time limits for working are clearly defined, so it is necessary to confirm these conditions in advance. 

In this issue, we will introduce the "Dependent" status of residence.

1) Outline of the system 

To briefly explain the status of residence "Dependent", it is a status that permits a foreign national who is working mainly on a "work visa" (such as "Gijin Kokoku" or "Tokutei Kogei") and his/her spouse or children to reside in Japan. A marriage certificate or birth certificate is required to prove the relationship between the dependent and his/her dependents. 

Furthermore, the relationship must show financial dependence on the dependent in order to be recognized as a dependent. For example, if the dependent has an annual income of 4 million yen and the dependent does not earn any income, he/she is considered to be financially dependent on the dependent. 

2) Employment 

A person with the status of residence "Dependent" may engage in any kind of work, except engaging in the entertainment business, etc., within 28 hours per week if that person has permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence. If "Permission" is stamped in the "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" column on the back of the residence card, it means that the foreigner has received permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence. 

When job hunting, be sure to check there carefully. Even if you have a permit under the Dependent status, you are only allowed to work 28 hours in a week. This means that if you work every day for a week, you will work 4 hours a day, which is hardly full-time work. If you consider working full time, that translates to 40 hours per week at 8 hours per day. This is well in excess of the hours obtained under the permit. Therefore, if you have a dependent residence visa and want to work full time, you will need to completely change your status. 

The duration of the Dependent status varies for each individual, with a maximum period of five years. It's important to note that the dependent residence status is tied to the dependent's duration of stay. Therefore, if the dependent's work status expires, it is not possible to renew only the family residence status. Failure to renew your status will result in the expiration of your family member's status as well.

4）Benefits of Dependent residency status for a company

By allowing family members to accompany foreign employees to Japan, the likelihood of those employees leaving the company due to family reasons is reduced. Many foreign employees aspire to live in Japan with their families, and if their family members possess a dependent residence status, it diminishes the possibility of the employee departing the company for family-related reasons.

This advantage also extends to the employing company. 

Often, individuals leave their jobs to return to their home country where their family members reside. Furthermore, most family members of these employees are young and proficient in Japanese. Companies seeking to hire such individuals may find value in understanding the Dependent residence status. If you have a family, it's worth considering this visa when applying for employment.