Dependent Visa PR Approval Case Studies (Japan)

Obtaining Permanent Residence (PR) in Japan as a Dependent Visa holder is challenging—but achievable with the right conditions, timing, and documentation.

This article presents realistic PR approval case patterns, explains why Immigration approved them, and highlights practical success factors you can replicate.

Case Study 1: Dual-Income Household with Full Compliance

Profile

• Applicant: Dependent (spouse)

• Years in Japan: 7 years

• Marriage duration: 5 years

• Sponsor visa: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities (5-year visa)

• Household income: ~6.8 million JPY/year

• Dependent income: Part-time (within 28 hrs, permitted)

Outcome

✅ PR approved (processing time: ~6 months)

Why It Worked

• Stable, above-average household income

• Perfect tax and pension compliance

• Sponsor held a long-term (5-year) status

• Dependent work fully permitted and documented

Key Success Factor

Immigration saw long-term financial independence and stability.

Case Study 2: Single-Income Household with Strong Sponsor Stability

Profile

• Applicant: Dependent

• Years in Japan: 10 years

• Marriage duration: 7 years

• Sponsor visa: Permanent Employee, 5-year visa

• Household income: ~5.2 million JPY/year

• Dependent income: None

Outcome

✅ PR approved

Why It Worked

• Long residence + long marriage

• Stable employer (same company 8+ years)

• No work or compliance risks from dependent

Key Success Factor

A single-income household is acceptable if income and job stability are strong.

Case Study 3: Dependent → Work Visa → PR (Fast Track)

Profile

• Applicant history:

  • 4 years as Dependent

  • Changed to Engineer visa

• Total Japan stay: 6 years

• Work visa duration before PR: 2 years

• Annual income: ~4.8 million JPY

Outcome

✅ PR approved

Why It Worked

• Clear career progression

• Independent tax and pension record

• Demonstrated reduced dependency risk

Key Success Factor

Immigration favors economic independence, even after dependent status.

Case Study 4: Dependent with Careful Freelance Income (Gray Zone Handled Correctly)

Profile

• Applicant: Dependent

• Freelance income: Overseas clients only

• Work permit: Obtained

• Hours: ≤20 hrs/week

• Income declared: Fully

• Household income: ~5.9 million JPY

Outcome

✅ PR approved

Why It Worked

• Prior permission secured

• Conservative working hours

• Transparent tax reporting

• Detailed explanation letter included

Key Success Factor

Transparency neutralized gray-zone risk.

Case Study 5: Long Stay, Modest Income, Excellent Compliance

Profile

• Applicant: Dependent

• Years in Japan: 15 years

• Marriage duration: 12 years

• Household income: ~4.6 million JPY

• Dependent income: None

Outcome

✅ PR approved

Why It Worked

• Exceptionally long and stable residence

• Zero compliance gaps (tax, pension, insurance)

• Community integration evidence

Key Success Factor

Long-term social integration compensated for moderate income.

Case Study 6: Child Dependent Becoming Adult PR Applicant

Profile

• Applicant: Former child dependent

• Education: Japanese university graduate

• Work status: Full-time employee

• Years in Japan: 18 years

Outcome

✅ PR approved

Why It Worked

• Japanese education history

• Seamless transition to workforce

• Independent tax/pension contributions

Key Success Factor

“De facto Japanese resident” profile.

Common Approval Patterns (Dependent PR)

Strategic Lessons from Approved Cases

• Compliance beats speed — waiting 1–2 years can change outcomes

• Immigration evaluates future stability, not sympathy

• Explanation letters significantly improve borderline cases

• Sponsor’s visa length heavily influences success

Ideal Timing Checklist Before Applying

You are well-positioned if:

• Sponsor holds 3–5 year visa

• Household income ≥ ~5M JPY

• Marriage ≥ 3 years

• No tax/pension gaps in last 3–5 years

• Any work activity is fully permitted and documented