If you’re working in Japan, you can sponsor your spouse and children for a visa. You or your employer will need to apply for Certificates of Eligibility for the family. For this you will need the application form (downloadable from The Ministry of Justice website at www.immi-moj.go.jp), marriage certificate, birth certificates (for each child), a letter of employment from your company and a 4cm x 3cm photo of each applicant. If you are in Japan, and wish to bring family into the country, you must also submit tax certificates from your city or ward office. If you have a baby in Japan, you must apply for dependent status within 30 days, for which you will need a birth certificate (see Maternity on p.122 for more information). There is no age limit for dependents, though the older they are, the more likely it is that you will need to certify that the child is still your dependent. Dependents are able to work part-time (up to 28 hours per week), but must first seek special permission at the immigration office. To sponsor retired parents and same-sex partners, you need to apply for a special visa, as the law currently does not classify them as dependents.