"Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)" Visa - Spouse Category

If you are married to a Japanese national, you can live in Japan with the "Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)" visa. This page explains the requirements, the documents and the application process for spouses. The same status of residence also covers children born to Japanese nationals and special adoptees, but this page focuses on spouses.

1. Who is eligible

You are eligible if you are currently married to a Japanese national. If your Japanese spouse has passed away or you have divorced, you no longer fall under this category (see "Long-Term Resident (after Divorce)").

Both of the following conditions must be met:

• A legal marriage: You must be recognized as a married couple under the laws of both countries, and be treated as a married couple in Japan. Common-law (de facto) partners are not eligible.
• A genuine married life: You must live together and support each other as a married couple. In principle, you are expected to live together unless there is a reasonable reason for living apart, which you will need to explain.

2. Major benefits

• No restrictions on work. You can work in any job, full-time or part-time, or run your own business.
• A shorter path to permanent residence. The required periods depend on when you apply:
  • Applications filed by March 31, 2027: married for 3 years or more, and residing in Japan for 1 year or more.
  • Applications filed on or after April 1, 2027: a substantive married life of 5 years or more, and continuous residence in Japan of 3 years or more.
  See "How to apply for permanent residence: spouses" for details.
• An option if your marriage ends. If you divorce or your spouse passes away, you may be able to change to the "Long-Term Resident (定住者)" visa if you meet its requirements.

3. What Immigration examines

A genuine marriage

Immigration reviews your relationship through a questionnaire (質問書) and supporting documents. The questionnaire asks, for example, when and how you met, how your relationship developed into marriage, which languages you use with each other, any previous marriages, your visits to each other's country, and whether your families know about the marriage. Answer accurately, and make sure your answers are consistent with your documents.

A stable livelihood

Immigration checks whether your household can support itself in Japan, looking at income, savings, occupation, housing and tax payments. Your Japanese spouse also acts as your guarantor (身元保証人). The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has not published a fixed minimum income for this visa.

Your residence record

When you extend your period of stay, Immigration also checks whether you have met your obligations in Japan, such as residence notifications and the payment of taxes and social insurance.

4. How to apply

The application you file depends on where you are now and which visa you currently hold.

5. Required documents

The table below shows the documents listed by the ISA for spouses of Japanese nationals.

Certificates issued in Japan must be issued within 3 months before submission. Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. Immigration may request additional documents during the review. The application forms, the questionnaire (available in Japanese and 10 other languages, including English) and the letter of guarantee can be downloaded from the ISA's page for spouses of Japanese nationals (Japanese).

If you cannot obtain a marriage certificate from your home country because your home country does not recognize your earlier divorce (for example, Filipinos who divorced and remarried in Japan), see Remarrying in Japan after divorce: spouse visas for Filipinos without judicial recognition.

6. Preparing your documents

The ISA's list is the minimum. Depending on your situation, you may also need to submit documents such as:

• Documents showing your household's income and assets, such as bank passbooks, payslips or employment contracts. If both of you have income, documents for both of you.
• Documents showing that you live together.
• A statement of reasons (申請理由書) explaining what the questionnaire alone cannot fully convey, such as the background to your application and how you will support your life in Japan.

Points to keep in mind

• Photos: Choose photos of the two of you that show how your relationship has developed, from when you met until now.
• Messages and call logs: Choose records that show your communication has continued over time.
• Marriage certificate: A certificate issued by a local authority of your country (for example, a state, county or city) is generally acceptable, as well as one issued by a national authority.
• Applying while on Short-Term Stay: You cannot register as a resident in Japan, so explain your living arrangements in Japan in writing.

What to submit, and how much, depends on your case. When you retain us, we prepare a document list for your situation and draft the application form, the questionnaire and the statement of reasons for you.

7. Period of stay

The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months. In practice, the period is generally decided as follows:

Because a 5-year period requires more than 3 years of living together after marriage, newly married couples generally do not receive a 5-year period on their first application.

8. Situations that need careful explanation

The following situations do not automatically lead to a refusal, but they need a clear explanation supported by documents:

• Low or unstable household income, for example when your Japanese spouse is not working, is self-employed or works freelance. Explain how your household will support itself, including your own income and savings.
• A short relationship before marriage, meeting online or through a marriage agency, or a large age gap. Explain how your relationship developed, with evidence that matches your questionnaire.
• A past overstay, deportation or refused application. Your past records will be checked. If you were refused before, the reasons for the refusal need to be addressed.
• Living apart from your spouse. Explain the reason and how you maintain your married life.
• Getting married while visiting Japan on Short-Term Stay. See the note in "How to apply".

9. After approval

• Notification regarding your spouse (配偶者に関する届出): If you divorce or your spouse passes away, you must notify the ISA within 14 days. You can do so online, at an immigration office or by post.
• Six months without married life: If you stay in Japan for 6 months or more without living as a spouse (for example, after a divorce or the death of your spouse, or when there is no real married life) and there is no legitimate reason, your status of residence may be cancelled. Before cancelling it, Immigration is required to consider giving you an opportunity to apply for a change of status or for permanent residence.
• Other obligations: Report any change of address, and apply for an extension before your period of stay expires.

10. If you are married to a Permanent Resident

If your spouse is a Permanent Resident (永住者) or a Special Permanent Resident (特別永住者), not a Japanese national, you apply for a different visa: "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)". The required documents are different, but the 14-day notification, the 6-month rule and the shorter path to permanent residence described above also apply. Please contact us if this is your situation.

11. Frequently asked questions

Can I work with this visa?

Yes. There are no restrictions on the type of work or the number of working hours.

What happens if we divorce?

You must notify the ISA within 14 days. You can no longer renew this visa as a spouse, and if you stay for 6 months or more without a legitimate reason, your status may be cancelled. Depending on your situation, you may be able to change to the "Long-Term Resident (定住者)" visa or another visa.

Do my spouse and I need to go to the immigration bureau?

When you retain us, we file the application on your behalf, so in most cases neither of you needs to visit the immigration bureau to apply. You receive your new residence card at the immigration bureau or by mail.

Do we need to visit your office?

No. The contract and invoice are handled online, and you do not need to visit our office to give us your documents. We file the application on your behalf, at the immigration bureau or online.

12. Our support and fees

1. Eligibility check: We confirm whether you can apply and what needs to be explained.
2. Contract: We sign the contract and issue the invoice online.
3. Document preparation: We give you a document list for your case and check the documents you prepare. We draft the application form, the questionnaire and, depending on your case, other documents such as a statement of reasons or explanatory letters, for you to review.
4. Application: We file the application on your behalf, at the immigration bureau or online.
5. Result: You receive your new residence card (or, for a COE, the certificate to use for your visa application).

Government fees and actual costs are charged separately. See "Fees" for details.

Please note that no one can guarantee approval: the decision is made by the Immigration Services Agency. We help you present your situation accurately.

What to include in your inquiry

Your first inquiry is free. If you include the following, we can give you a more specific answer:

• When and how you met, and when you married (and whether the marriage is registered in both countries)
• Where you live now, and your current visa (status of residence) if you are in Japan
• Your Japanese spouse's occupation, and your household's approximate income and savings
• Any past visa refusals, overstays or deportations
• When you would like to start living together in Japan

Please do not send copies of passports or other identity documents with your inquiry. Send an Inquiry

Disclaimer: This page is provided for general information only and is not legal advice on any individual case. The information is based on sources available as of October 9, 2026. Laws, guidelines and their application may change without notice. TKG Immigration Consulting Office accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information. In case of any difference between our English descriptions and the original Japanese texts, the Japanese texts prevail.