Dependent Visa Income Limits in Japan (2026)

One of the most confusing parts of Japan’s Dependent Visa is the income requirement. Immigration does not publish an official minimum salary, yet applications are regularly approved or rejected based on income alone.

This article explains how income limits actually work, how Immigration evaluates financial stability, and what is considered “enough” in real-world cases.

Is There an Official Income Requirement?

No.
Japan Immigration does not state a fixed minimum income for dependent visas.

Instead, they assess whether the sponsor can reasonably support the dependent without relying on public assistance.

That said, unofficial benchmarks exist, and falling below them significantly increases rejection risk.

Who Is the “Sponsor”?

The sponsor is usually:

• A work visa holder (Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, etc.)

• A Permanent Resident

• A Highly Skilled Professional

Immigration evaluates the sponsor’s income, not the dependent’s.

Unofficial Income Guidelines (Realistic Benchmarks)

Based on approved and rejected cases, these are commonly used practical standards:

For One Dependent (Spouse or Child)

For Two Dependents (Spouse + Child)

📌 These are not official numbers, but falling far below them often leads to rejection.

How Immigration Evaluates Income (Not Just Salary)

Immigration looks at overall financial stability, not just one payslip.

Factors Considered

• Annual income (課税証明書)

• Employment type (full-time vs contract)

• Job stability (job changes)

• Household size

• Rent amount

• Savings (sometimes)

• Tax and pension compliance

A ¥3.2M salary with low rent and strong stability may pass, while ¥4.0M with unstable contracts may not.

Net Income Matters More Than You Think

Gross salary alone is misleading.

Immigration considers:

• Income after taxes

• Pension payments

• Health insurance

• Rent and utilities

Example:

¥3.8M gross with ¥120,000 rent may be weaker than
¥3.4M gross with ¥70,000 rent

Can Dependent Income Be Counted?

Short Answer: Usually No

Dependent income:

• ❌ Is not counted for initial approval

• ❌ Cannot replace sponsor income

• ⚠️ Must be disclosed if earned

Even part-time income under the 28-hour rule does not strengthen the application significantly.

Common Income-Related Rejection Reasons

❌ Income barely above minimum with high rent
❌ New job with short employment history
❌ Contract ending soon
❌ Multiple dependents with low income growth
❌ Late tax or pension payments
❌ Missing explanation letters

How to Strengthen a Low-Income Application

If income is borderline:

Recommended Actions

• Add a clear explanation letter

• Show long-term employment contract

• Reduce visible expenses (rent evidence)

• Provide savings statements (optional)

• Delay application until next tax year

• Avoid job changes before applying

📌 Timing your application after a salary increase can make a big difference.

Income Limits for Renewal vs New Application

Renewals are easier only if circumstances are unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ¥3 million enough?

Sometimes, but risky—especially in Tokyo.

Does Immigration consider bonuses?

Yes, if clearly shown in tax certificates.

Can savings replace low income?

No. Savings help, but income is still primary.

Does employer reputation matter?

Indirectly. Large, stable companies help.

Final Advice

Immigration is not asking “Can you survive?”
They are asking “Can you support another person consistently?”

If income is borderline, documentation quality and explanations matter more than numbers alone.

Related GaijinBlog Articles

• Dependent Visa Income Limits in Japan (2026)

• Dependent Visa → PR Pathway

• Dependent Visa for Freelancers (Gray Zones)

• Dependent PR Application Checklist