Move with Family or Partner
Prepare your whole household for Japan.
Moving to Japan with a family or partner adds complexity — but also makes the experience richer. This path covers spouse and dependent visas, finding family-friendly housing, enrolling children in school, setting up healthcare for everyone, and managing the paperwork for a whole household.
Your key steps
What to do, in order.
Understand spouse and dependent visas
The Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident visa allow family members to join you. Your spouse may also apply for a work permit. Processing timelines and requirements differ significantly from the primary visa holder.
Find family-friendly housing
Families need larger apartments, which limits options and raises costs. Look for areas with good public schools, parks, and international communities. Some Tokyo neighborhoods (Minato, Shibuya, Setagaya) have strong expat family communities.
Enroll children in school
Japan has public schools (free, taught in Japanese), international schools (expensive, taught in English), and some bilingual private schools. Your ward office can help with public school enrollment. International schools require applications months in advance.
Set up healthcare for everyone
All family members must enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance (国民健康保険). This covers 70% of medical costs. Premiums are income-based. Register all family members at your ward office within 14 days of arrival.
Handle household admin together
Each family member needs their own My Number card. Register all children at the ward office. If you have a car, transfer your driving license. Set up utilities, internet, and a shared family bank account.
Useful tools
Tools for this path.
Arrival Checklist
MVPTrack tasks for your whole family.
Moving Budget Calculator
Coming soonEstimate costs for a whole family move.
FAQ
Common questions.
Can my spouse work on a dependent visa?
Yes — dependent visa holders can apply for permission to engage in part-time work (up to 28 hours/week). To work full-time, they'd need to change to an appropriate work visa category.
Are international schools very expensive?
Yes — annual tuition at international schools in Tokyo ranges from ¥1.5M to ¥3M+ per child. Some employers provide education allowances for expat families. Public schools are free but instruction is in Japanese.
What if my partner isn't married to me?
Japan does not recognize common-law partnerships or same-sex marriages for visa purposes at the national level. Unmarried partners typically need to qualify for their own independent visa. Some municipalities have partnership certificates but these have limited legal effect for immigration.
yuzu.help provides general guidance only. Verify important details with official sources or a qualified professional.
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