Introduction
Foreign spouses and children staying in Japan under the “Dependent” status of residence often need to consider changing to “Designated Activities” when the sponsor’s status or activities change. Many families are unsure whether they can remain as “Dependent” or should switch to “Designated Activities” in such situations. This article explains typical cases where a change from Dependent to Designated Activities is likely to be approved, along with key screening points, based on information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and other public sources.
What Is “Designated Activities”?
“Designated Activities” (在留資格「特定活動」, English: Designated Activities) is a status of residence granted to foreign nationals for activities that do not fall under any of the existing statuses of residence and are specially designated by the Minister of Justice.
・Examples include working holiday, EPA nurse/care worker candidates, job-hunting after graduation, digital nomads, and other individually specified activities.
・For family members of a foreign national on Designated Activities, there are cases where spouses and children are also allowed to stay under a family-type Designated Activities status instead of Dependent.
According to official materials, Designated Activities are defined as activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for each foreign national, and the work permission and scope differ depending on the notification number/type.
Typical Situations Where a Change from Dependent to Designated Activities Is Required
From official university and immigration-related guidance, the following patterns are typical where a change from Dependent to Designated Activities is required or likely to be approved.
- Sponsor changes from “Student” to “Designated Activities (Job Hunting)”
・When a student graduates from a Japanese university and changes their status from “Student” to “Designated Activities (Job Hunting)”, their spouse and children are required to change their status of residence from “Dependent” to “Designated Activities” as well.
・Universities such as Kobe University and Kyoto University clearly state that if the principal’s status changes to Designated Activities, the family must also change to Designated Activities. - Sponsor stays on “Designated Activities (Before Starting Work)”
・If a graduate has a job offer and remains in Japan under “Designated Activities (before starting work)”, the spouse and children also need to change from Dependent to a family-type Designated Activities status consistent with the sponsor.
・In such cases, the family is not treated as Dependent but rather as “family members under Designated Activities” in accordance with the specific category. - Sponsor on Designated Activities linked to Highly Skilled Professionals
・Some Designated Activities categories are designed for spouses and children of highly skilled foreign professionals and allow wider work permission for the family than ordinary Dependent status.
・In such cases, changing from Dependent to Designated Activities can even be advantageous for the spouse. - Other notified Designated Activities with family stay schemes
・The Digital Nomad category provides a specific Designated Activities status for the Digital Nomad’s spouse and children, so accompanying family members also stay under Designated Activities rather than Dependent.
・In these models, switching to “Designated Activities (spouse/child of Digital Nomad)” is the standard approach.
Main Requirements and Screening Points
A change of status from Dependent to Designated Activities is examined individually under Article 20 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
Key screening points include:
- Consistency with the sponsor’s status
・If the sponsor has already changed to Designated Activities while the family remain on Dependent, immigration may view this as inconsistent.
・University guidance explicitly states that once the principal’s status becomes Designated Activities, the spouse and children must also change to Designated Activities, so early application is important. - Financial capability to support the family
・As with Dependent, family-type Designated Activities require demonstration of stable financial support for the household.
・Sponsors must submit employment contracts, pay slips, tax certificates, and bank statements to prove the ability to cover living expenses. - Activities consistent with the purpose of the Designated Activities category
・For job-hunting Designated Activities, immigration checks whether the sponsor is seriously engaged in job search; for pre-employment Designated Activities, whether the company and job offer are genuine.
・For the family, it must be reasonable that they will stay as dependent family members living together with the sponsor in Japan. - Good residence record and conduct
・Overstays, unauthorized work, unpaid taxes or social insurance contributions, and serious traffic or criminal offenses negatively affect the assessment of a change from Dependent to Designated Activities.
・Proper reporting of address changes and timely renewals are also taken into account.
Application Flow: From Dependent to Designated Activities
- Completing the Application for Change of Status of Residence
・Use the official “Application for Change of Status of Residence” form provided by the Ministry of Justice and indicate “Present status: Dependent”, “Proposed status: Designated Activities”.
・In the “Details of intended activities in Japan” box, briefly describe that the applicant will live with and be supported by the sponsor who holds a specific Designated Activities status (e.g., for job hunting or pre-employment). - Preparing supporting documents
Common documents:
・Passport and Residence Card of the applicant and sponsor
・Documents proving the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, family registry, etc.)
・Resident record showing cohabitation
Financial evidence:
・Sponsor’s certificate of employment, employment contract
・Tax payment and assessment certificates
・Pay slips and bank statements, if necessary
Documents related to the sponsor’s Designated Activities:
・Graduation certificate, proof of job hunting or job offer letter, depending on the category. - Filing and timing
・File at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the place of residence.
・Apply well before the expiration date of the current period of stay.
Situations Where Approval Is Difficult and How to Respond
- Designated Activities categories that do not foresee family accompaniment
・Some Designated Activities categories do not envisage family members, and in such cases, family status changes may be difficult.
・Official guidance recommends consulting immigration in advance, as some families are approved and others are not. - Unstable income or weak living base
・Short-term contracts, minimal work history, and low savings may raise serious concerns about financial stability and increase the risk of denial.
・Strengthening the application with longer contracts, savings evidence, or reasonable third-party support is important. - Poor past residence compliance
・History of overstay, unauthorized employment, or unpaid taxes and social insurance may weigh heavily against approval.
・Any arrears should be cleared first, with proof of payment and an explanation of corrective actions. - Necessity of prior consultation
・Because many Designated Activities categories are highly discretionary, similar cases may have different outcomes.
・When family accompaniment is not clearly covered by the notification, prior consultation with the local immigration office and, if possible, a specialist is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
A change from Dependent to Designated Activities can be approved in cases where the sponsor’s status changes to Designated Activities (such as job-hunting or pre-employment categories) or where the relevant Designated Activities category clearly allows family members. The key points are consistency with the sponsor’s status, financial stability, compliance with the purpose of the Designated Activities category, and a good residence record. Since many aspects are decided on a case-by-case basis, always check the latest information from official government websites and consider consulting a qualified immigration specialist or administrative scrivener.
