How to obtain a business manager visa and a family visa to bring your family along

For those who are considering the following regarding family stays on a Business Manager Visa

This article will be useful for people like you. Please read to the end.

What you can learn about family visas in this article

In this article, you will learn the following about family visas:

Can a foreign manager bring his/her family to Japan? Or not?

You may be wondering if you can obtain a business manager visa and bring your family to Japan with you. However, the word “family” can mean many different things. Generally, it refers to spouses, children, and relatives. Below, we will briefly explain each of these.

（1）spouse and children

First of all, it is possible for your spouse and children to come to Japan on a family visa. However, there are some points to note, as described below.

（2）parent

Next, about parents. Many foreign managers who have a business management visa would like to invite their parents to Japan. However, unfortunately, you cannot invite your parents to Japan with a business management visa. If you really want to invite your parents, there are exceptional measures, but the hurdles are high.
　　　

Timing of application for Business Manager Visa and Family Stay Visa

By reading this far, you have learned that if you establish a company in Japan as a foreigner and obtain a business manager visa, your spouse and children can also come to Japan. This is called a family visa.
The next question that arises is the timing of these events. Specifically, the following two patterns are possible:

In fact, either of these two patterns is fine. Therefore, it is best to choose one based on your family’s circumstances. However, there are some points that are easy to misunderstand and things to be careful of. Therefore, we will explain them below.

Common misconceptions and points to note about family visas

A common misconception is that “if you obtain a Business Manager Visa, you will automatically be granted a family visa.” In fact, this is not correct. What this means is that the Business Manager Visa and the family visa are subject to separate screening. Therefore, the spouse and children of the business owner who is granted a Business Manager Visa must apply separately to obtain a family visa and be screened.

As a result, there is a possibility that a situation may arise where the business manager visa for the business owner himself is approved, but the family visas for his spouse and children are not.

Naturally, you want to avoid such a situation. Therefore, in the next chapter, we will explain the key points and things to be aware of when applying for a family visa, as well as examples of countermeasures.

Important points, precautions and examples of measures when applying for a family stay visa related to a business manager visa

(1) General requirements for family visa

The following is going to be a bit serious, but I’ll touch on it briefly.
Generally, the legal requirements for obtaining a family visa are as follows:

“Daily activities conducted as a dependent spouse or child of a person residing in Japan with a status of residence in the upper column of Table 1, Table 2 or Table 3 (excluding diplomatic, official, technical intern training and temporary visitor) or a person residing in Japan with a status of residence of student in this table.”

It’s a rather difficult word to understand, but in essence it’s about what kind of people can get a family visa. One of the key points here is the “dependent” spouse or child. In other words, it is assumed that the business owner will support his or her spouse, etc.

(2) Key points in the examination of family stay visas related to business manager visas and examples of countermeasures

Key points for screening family stay visas

In light of 6(1) above, the business owner must prove that he or she can support the spouse or other family members who will be obtaining a family visa. Specifically, the business owner’s income must be sufficient to support the lifestyle of those family members.

　　　　

Future income forecasts are also OK.

One thing to be concerned about is if you apply for a Business Manager Visa and a Dependent Stay Visa at the same time. In that case, you may be concerned about your ability to support your dependents, since the manager himself has not yet received remuneration from the Japanese company. However, in this case, it is said that the existence and amount of ability to support your dependents can be taken into consideration based on the expected income after coming to Japan.

Specific amounts and examples of measures

Assuming a family consisting of a CEO, his spouse, and two children, the economic foundation required to support them would be a minimum of 200,000 yen per month in executive compensation, depending on living circumstances and other factors. Therefore, when deciding on executive compensation amounts at the general shareholders’ meeting, etc., the above levels will likely be kept in mind.

If you plan to earn money together

Regarding dependents, there is one thing that may be an issue. Can I get a family visa in the following case? For example, if the income of the business owner alone is not enough to live on, the spouse and children will also work in Japan and the income of everyone will be combined to live on.

In this case, your family visa will most likely be denied.
The reason is as follows. It is true that if permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence granted is granted, it is in fact possible for the spouse or child to work. However, the premise of a family visa is that the person is “supported.” Therefore, the business owner is required to be able to support everyone on his/her own at the time of application.

Important points regarding children and examples of measures to be taken

Below are some points to keep in mind when inviting your child to Japan as a family member.

(1) How old are you?

One of the issues when inviting a child to Japan as a family member is the child’s age. The child’s age can affect whether or not the family member’s family member visa is approved. Specifically,

The older you are, the less likely you are to be approved.

If we were to give a specific number, 18 years old would be a good guideline based on the experience of practitioners. If you are reading this article and have a child over 18 years old, please read the following carefully. What exactly is inconvenient? In fact, when a child is over 18 years old, the age of majority for the immigration bureau, they may suspect that the child’s real purpose is to come to Japan to work.

Therefore, below we will specifically explain the points that the immigration authorities are concerned about and examples of countermeasures.

(2) Points of concern to immigration authorities and examples of countermeasures

For work purposes?

[Points the Immigration Bureau is Questionable about ①]

“Your child is over 18 years old. Perhaps his/her real purpose is to work in Japan, rather than being supported by his/her parents?”
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To avoid such doubts, it is important to take measures in advance. Specifically, the following are some points to note.

[Example of countermeasures]

Explain rationally why you are bringing them to Japan on a family visa.

Why now?

[Points the Immigration Bureau is suspicious of ②]

“Your child is a 16-year-old high school student. And it seems that he doesn’t speak Japanese. Why is he coming to Japan now? If he is going to come to Japan, why doesn’t he finish high school in your country and then come to Japan to study?”
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If you don’t take the time to prepare an explanation for these questions in advance, you may not be able to come up with a convincing answer. Therefore, it may be a good idea to think along the lines of the following points.

　　

[Example of countermeasures]

The future educational plans will be explained along the following points.

Summary of family visas

What do you think after reading this far? I think there are many people who want to take their family into consideration when obtaining a business manager visa. By reading this article, you may have been able to clear up any doubts you may have had or become aware of some unexpected points to be aware of.

So, just to be safe, let’s summarize the essence of this article.