Introduction

For foreign nationals with a “Dependent” status of residence in Japan, renewing your period of stay is a crucial process directly linked to your daily stability. Many people worry about how their history of traffic violations might affect the screening process. This article explains, based on official and expert information, how traffic violations impact the renewal of a Dependent visa and what to do if you have such violations.

Dependent Visa and the “Good Conduct” Requirement

When renewing a status of residence, one of the key requirements is “good conduct.” The Immigration Services Agency of Japan strictly checks whether applicants comply with Japanese laws, including traffic violations.

Types of Traffic Violations and Their Impact on Screening

Traffic violations are broadly classified as “minor” or “serious”:

• Minor violations: Parking violations, minor speeding, etc., usually resolved with a fine or penalty.
• Serious violations: Drunk driving, driving without a license, excessive speeding, etc., which may result in criminal fines or imprisonment.

Minor violations typically do not pose a significant problem for renewal, but repeated offenses or serious violations can lead to a determination that the applicant does not meet the “good conduct” requirement.

Practical Impact of Having Three Traffic Violations

There is no official published standard for “how many violations are acceptable,” but in practice:

• Three minor violations in the past five years generally do not significantly affect renewal.
• However, repeated violations of the same type or particularly malicious violations may increase the risk of denial at the discretion of the examiner.
• If you have received a criminal fine or imprisonment, it is treated as a criminal record, and renewal may be denied or postponed for a long period.

Never Falsify Your Application

The application form requires you to declare any criminal penalties, including those for traffic violations. Falsifying this information can result in more severe disadvantages, such as denial or future loss of credibility.

Countermeasures If You Have Traffic Violations

If you have a history of traffic violations, the following actions can help reduce your risk:

• Submit a letter of reflection and preventive measures: Attach a document explaining the circumstances and your plan to prevent recurrence.
• Keep proof of payment for fines/penalties: Unpaid fines are viewed as malicious; pay promptly and keep proof.
• Continue safe driving: A long period without violations after the incident is also evaluated positively.
• Consult a professional: If you are concerned or have serious violations, consult an administrative scrivener or other expert.

Case Examples

Example 1: Ms. C (40s, female) has stayed in Japan for five years on a Dependent visa. She had two parking violations and one minor speeding violation in the past five years. She honestly declared all violations at renewal and submitted preventive measures. As the violations were minor and she showed remorse, her renewal was approved.

Example 2: Mr. D (30s, male) also stayed on a Dependent visa. He received a criminal fine for drunk driving in the past three years. In this case, he was judged not to meet the “good conduct” requirement, and his renewal was denied.

Conclusion

• Traffic violations are an important screening item for Dependent visa renewals.
• Three minor violations generally do not pose a major problem, but the content and frequency of violations can affect the outcome.
• Serious violations or criminal fines make renewal much more difficult.
• Always declare your violation history honestly, and submit a letter of reflection or preventive measures if necessary.
• If you are concerned, consult a professional early.