Married to a Japanese National? Your Guide to a Stress-Free Spouse Visa Process

A Clear Guide to the Spouse Visa

A huge congratulations on your marriage to your beloved Japanese partner! While this is a time of immense joy, are you feeling a little anxious, wondering, “What do I do about my visa?” or “The process seems so complicated…”?

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the “Spouse Visa” (formally known as the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence), which allows the foreign partner of a Japanese citizen to live in Japan. We’ll explain each important point clearly and simply.

１．What Exactly Is a “Spouse Visa”?

A Spouse Visa is a “status of residence” (visa) that allows the foreign partner of a Japanese national to live together as a married couple in Japan. Unlike a simple tourist visa, it is a crucial permit for living in Japan long-term.

A key point is that fiancés, or those in a de facto or common-law marriage (including same-sex partnerships), are not eligible for this visa. Being formally married and registered at a municipal office is an absolute requirement.

If approved, this visa is granted for a period of 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or the maximum of 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

２．Three Amazing Benefits That Set the Spouse Visa Apart

Compared to other common types of visas, the Spouse Visa offers significant advantages for the foreign partner.

Benefit 1: No Restrictions on Work! Complete Freedom to Work!

This is the single greatest feature of the Spouse Visa!

For example:

• Work visas like “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” limit you to specific types of jobs.
• A “Student” visa comes with strict limits, such as working part-time for no more than 28 hours a week.

However, with a Spouse Visa, you can work freely, just like a Japanese citizen, in any job for any number of hours.

You can choose your work based on your skills and desires without being tied down by job type or working hours. This is a massive source of security for building a stable household budget and living with peace of mind in Japan.

Benefit 2: An Easier Path to “Permanent Residency” and “Japanese Citizenship”!

When a Spouse Visa holder wishes to obtain Permanent Residency (the right to live in Japan indefinitely) or Japanese citizenship (naturalization), they benefit from significantly relaxed requirements compared to other visa holders.

For Permanent Residency:

• General Visa Holders: Must have lived in Japan for 10+ years.
• Spouse Visa Holders: Can apply after being married for 3+ years and living in Japan for 1+ year.

That’s right, the required period is drastically shortened!

For Japanese Citizenship (Naturalization):

• General Visa Holders: Must have lived in Japan for 5+ years.
• Spouse Visa Holders: Can apply after living in Japan for 3+ years.

This is also a substantial reduction in the required time.

Benefit 3: Even More Security with Permanent Residency!

If you successfully obtain Permanent Residency, your life becomes even more stable.

Security in Case of the Unexpected: In the unfortunate event of a divorce or the passing of your Japanese spouse, your Permanent Resident status means your foundation for life in Japan is not affected. Not having to drastically change your life in Japan after losing a beloved partner provides immeasurable peace of mind.

No More Visa Renewals! The hassle of gathering numerous documents every few years to renew your visa disappears (though you still need to renew your Residence Card itself every 7 years).

３．The 5 Most Important Conditions for Your Spouse Visa Application

To obtain a Spouse Visa, you must clear several important conditions. These are in place for immigration authorities to assess whether your marriage is genuine and whether you can live a stable life in Japan.

Condition 1: You are “Formally Married” in Both Japan and Your Home Country

It’s not enough to be married in just one country. The marriage must be legally recognized under the laws of both Japan and your home country. Procedures vary by country, so it’s crucial to confirm and complete the marriage formalities in both nations beforehand.

Condition 2: You Must Convey Your “Genuine Love” (Sham Marriages are Strictly Prohibited!)

The Immigration Services Agency is extremely vigilant about “sham marriages” (偽装結婚, gisō kekkon). Therefore, it is critically important to prove beyond any doubt that you are a couple married out of genuine love.

• Detailed Story from Meeting to Marriage: Explain when, where, and how you met, how your relationship developed, and how you decided to get married. Use plenty of specific, personal episodes.
• Photos Showing Your Close Relationship: Prepare a good number of photos of the two of you together (on dates, traveling, at your wedding, with each other’s families and friends). It’s even better if the date and location are clear in the photos.
• Proof of Regular Communication: Logs of your chats on apps like LINE, emails, social media interactions, and phone records are all vital evidence showing you communicate closely and regularly.
• Proof of Cohabitation: Prove you live together with documents like your Certificate of Residence (juminhyō) and apartment lease agreement.

If a sham marriage is discovered, the penalties are severe. This includes not only the possibility of prison time and fines but also having your visa revoked, being forcibly deported from Japan, and being barred from re-entry for the next five years. Always be honest in your application.

Condition 3: You Have “Sufficient Finances for a Stable Life” in Japan

Having a stable income or savings sufficient for the couple to live without hardship in Japan is another key condition.

• Stable Source of Income: Immigration will look at whether you have enough money coming in each month to live on.
• Proper Tax Payments: They will also check if you are fulfilling your duties as a resident of Japan by properly paying taxes like residence tax.

The crucial point is whether you can support yourselves without falling into a deficit each month. Even if your income is less stable or a concern, we can discuss your individual situation and figure out the best path forward together.

Condition 4: The Couple Is “Living Together” (or Plans to)

As a general rule, the couple is required to be living in the same home in Japan, or have a concrete plan to do so. They will check if your addresses on your Certificates of Residence match and if you have a home spacious enough for a married couple.

If you are temporarily living apart for unavoidable reasons such as a work-related transfer, illness, or caring for a parent, you must provide a clear explanation for the situation.

Condition 5: The Foreign Partner Has a “Good History” of Living in Japan

Your past conduct while living in Japan will also be reviewed.

• Did you follow visa rules? For example, if you were on a student visa, did you work more than the permitted hours?
• Do you have a history of overstaying a visa or illegal entry?
• Have you ever committed a crime?

４．Two Application Methods: Which One Is Right for You?

There are two main ways to apply for a Spouse Visa, depending on where the foreign partner is currently located.

Method 1: Your Foreign Partner Is “Currently Abroad”

In this case, the standard process is to first obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) in Japan, which is used to bring your partner to the country.

1. Apply for the COE: The Japanese spouse, or a professional like us, applies for the COE at a regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan.
2. Immigration Review: The application is reviewed by immigration officials.
3. COE Arrives: Once approved, the COE is mailed to you from the Immigration Bureau.
4. Mail the COE Abroad: You send the original COE to your partner abroad via international mail.
5. Apply for the Visa Abroad: Your partner takes the COE, their passport, and other required documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for the visa stamp.
6. Enter Japan! Once the visa is issued, your partner usually must enter Japan within 3 months. They will receive their “Residence Card” on the spot at the airport in Japan.
7. Resident Registration: Within 14 days of arriving in Japan, you must register your address at the local city/ward office where you plan to live.

Obtaining a COE in advance makes the visa process at the Japanese embassy much smoother and faster. While it’s possible to apply for a visa directly abroad without a COE, that process often takes a very long time.

Method 2: Your Foreign Partner Is “Already in Japan”

If your partner is already living in Japan on another visa, such as a “Student” or “Temporary Visitor” visa, you will file an “Application for Change of Status of Residence.”

1. File the Change of Status Application: The foreign partner applies at a regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan to change their current visa to a Spouse Visa.
2. Immigration Review: The application is reviewed. Please rest assured that once you file, you can remain in Japan until a decision is made, even if your current visa expires.
3. Receive Your New Residence Card: Upon approval, you will receive a new Residence Card.
4. Resident Registration: Once you have your new card, you must register your address at your local city/ward office within 14 days.

A word of caution for those thinking, “I’ll come to Japan on a tourist visa, get married, and then switch to a Spouse Visa.” As a general rule, this is not permitted!
A “Temporary Visitor” visa is strictly for tourism or short-term visits. Even if you have a COE, there are cases where changing your status from a Temporary Visitor visa is denied.
To avoid trouble, the safest and most reliable method is the “standard route”: obtain a COE first, get the proper visa in your home country, and then enter Japan.

５．A Look at the Necessary Documents

Applying for a Spouse Visa requires a large number of documents to prove your relationship, your financial situation, and your history in Japan. Any documents in a foreign language must be submitted with a Japanese translation.

【Main Required Documents】

• Application Forms (Application, Questionnaire, Letter of Guarantee, etc.): These forms require you to write in detail about how you met, the history of your marriage, your daily conversations, and your living situation. The questionnaire and the accompanying “Statement of Reason for Marriage” are like a “love letter” to prove your genuine relationship. It is crucial to write honestly and in detail.
• Foreign Spouse’s Documents: Passport, marriage and birth certificates issued in the home country (with Japanese translations), a recent photo, etc.
• Japanese Spouse’s Documents: Family Register (koseki tohon) showing the marriage, Certificate of Residence (juminhyō) listing all family members, proof of employment (Certificate of Employment), property registration certificate (if you own your home), etc.
• Documents Related to Income and Taxes: Residence tax certificates (both kazei shomeisho and nozei shomeisho), certificate of tax withholding (gensen-choshu-hyo), copies of bank passbooks, etc. These prove you have the financial stability to live in Japan.
• Documents Proving Your Relationship: Snapshots of the two of you (photos with friends and parents, at your wedding, on trips—photos with dates are best), printouts of LINE/email conversations, phone records, international money transfer receipts, etc.

６．How Long Is the Processing Time? And When It Can Take Longer…

The time from application to approval varies by case, but here are some general estimates:

• First-time applications (COE or Change of Status): Typically 1 to 3 months.
• Visa renewal applications: Often shorter, with results in about 1 month, though it can be as quick as 2 weeks or take as long as 4 months.

【Processing time may be longer if…】

• Documents are incomplete or missing: If you are asked to submit additional documents, the review process is put on hold.
• Your marriage is questioned: If there are aspects that seem unusual, such as a very short courtship, a large age gap, or having met only a few times, a more thorough investigation will be conducted, leading to delays.
• Your financial foundation is deemed unstable: If your income is low or there are issues with your tax payment history, you may be required to provide additional proof of your financial stability.
• You have a problematic history of residence in Japan: If you have previously overstayed a visa or violated other rules, the review will be extremely cautious and likely take longer.
• The Immigration Bureau is busy: During peak application seasons, overall processing times can be longer.

７．Leave Your “Spouse Visa” Acquisition to Megumi International!

“Can I really prepare all these documents by myself?”

“Our case seems a little complicated…”

“What if my application is rejected?”

Tripping up on visa procedures at the start of your new life with your beloved partner is something you truly want to avoid.

At Megumi International Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Office, we provide our full support to help Japanese nationals and their foreign partners obtain a Spouse Visa so they can live together in Japan with peace of mind.

• Trilingual Support in Japanese, English, and Chinese: You can consult with us without any language barriers.
• We Handle Complex Paperwork: We provide complete support, from preparing the optimal documents for your situation to filing the application with the Immigration Bureau.
• Free 30-Minute Initial Consultation: Please feel free to start by telling us about your concerns. It’s the first step toward resolving your questions and proceeding with confidence.

Let Megumi International give our full support to your new beginning. If you have any worries or anxieties about administrative procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us. We value a friendly and easy-to-understand approach and are here to help you live a secure and happy life in Japan.

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Megumi Suzuki, Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist (Gyoseishoshi)

After graduating from universities in both Japan and Shanghai, Megumi worked for approximately 12 years as an international flight attendant. Through her encounters with customers from diverse backgrounds, she was inspired by the dreams of those seeking to study or work in Japan. As a gyoseishoshi, she now focuses on supporting foreign nationals, primarily with applications for status of residence.

Her motto is, “To be someone who can support you even after you’ve deplaned,” and she provides careful and dedicated support that values each individual’s past, present, and future.