Spouse Visa Guide for Japan: Marriage-Based Residence Status

The Spouse visa (formally the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”) allows foreign nationals married to a Japanese citizen or permanent resident to live in Japan. Unlike work-based statuses of residence, the Spouse visa has no restrictions on employment and provides a favorable path to permanent residence. However, the authenticity of the marriage is the central focus of the immigration review.

For an overview of all residence status categories, see our Complete Guide to Residence Status Types.

What Is the Spouse Visa?

The Spouse visa is an identity-based status of residence defined in Appended Table 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA). Unlike activity-based statuses such as Business Manager or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, it is granted based on personal status or position in Japan.

There are two categories of Spouse visa (Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) pages for Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, in Japanese):

Status of Residence	Eligible Persons	Period of Stay
Spouse or Child of Japanese National	Spouse of a Japanese national, special adoptee, or person born as a child of a Japanese national	5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident	Spouse of a permanent resident or special permanent resident, or child born in Japan to a permanent resident and continuously residing in Japan	5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months

Key Advantages

• No employment restrictions: Holders of Appended Table 2 statuses may engage in any type of work without limitation
• No criteria under the Landing Permission Criteria Ordinance: There are no requirements related to educational background, work experience, or income level
• Favorable path to permanent residence: Spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, and special permanent residents benefit from a shorter residence requirement than the standard ten years. The Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised October 1, 2026) set the guideline at five years of genuine marriage and three continuous years of residence in Japan, applying to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. Applications filed by March 31, 2027 fall under the previous guidelines: three years of marriage and one year of continuous residence (the previous guidelines are no longer published on the ISA website). See our “Permanent Residence Guide” for details

Differences Between Spouse of Japanese National and Spouse of Permanent Resident

Both statuses are identity-based and share similar application procedures, but there are important differences in scope.

Comparison	Spouse or Child of Japanese National	Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
Spouse eligibility	Spouse of a Japanese national	Spouse of a permanent resident or special permanent resident
Scope of “child”	Person born as a child of a Japanese national (regardless of place of birth)	Child born in Japan to a permanent resident, continuously residing in Japan since birth
Special adoptee	Included	Not included
Ordinary adoptee	Not included (special adoptee only)	Not included
Place of birth requirement	None (includes those born abroad)	Must be born in Japan

Definition of “Spouse”

For both statuses, “spouse” means a person who is currently in a legally valid marriage. The following are not recognized as a “spouse” under the ICRRA:

• Common-law partners (unmarried couples)
• Former spouses (divorced or bereaved)
• Same-sex spouses, even if the marriage was validly concluded abroad

Important Difference Regarding “Children”

A “child born as a child of a Japanese national” under the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status may have been born anywhere in the world. In contrast, under the Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status, the child must have been born in Japan and must have continuously resided in Japan since birth. For example, a child of a permanent resident who was born abroad (such as when the mother returned to her home country to give birth) does not qualify for this status.

Application Requirements

To obtain a Spouse visa, applicants must satisfy both formal requirements (a legally valid marriage) and substantive requirements (a genuine marital relationship).

1. A Legally Valid Marriage

A legally valid marriage must be established. The formation of a marriage is governed, for each party, by that party’s national law (Act on General Rules for Application of Laws, Article 24, Paragraph 1).

• Japan: Acceptance of the marriage notification (kon’in todoke) by a municipal office
• Foreign country: Completion of marriage procedures under the applicable foreign law

The application therefore includes documents showing that the marriage is established in both countries (such as the Japanese spouse’s family register and a marriage certificate issued by the authorities of the applicant’s country; see “Required Documents” below).

2. A Genuine Marital Relationship

A legally valid marriage alone is not sufficient to establish eligibility for the Spouse visa. The couple must maintain a genuine marital relationship. That is, they must live together, cooperate with each other, and provide mutual support in accordance with the social norms of married life (cf. Civil Code, Article 752).

The ICRRA focuses on the activities of foreign nationals in Japan (Article 2-2, Paragraph 2; Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2). If the activities corresponding to the status of spouse are not being carried out, or have ceased, eligibility for the status of residence is denied.

3. Financial Stability (a Relevant Factor, Not an Absolute Requirement)

Financial stability is likely to be considered as one factor supporting the stability and continuity of the marital activities. It is not an absolute requirement.

• Even if financial resources are limited, eligibility may be recognized if other factors (such as long-term cohabitation) demonstrate stability and continuity
• Income is shown through the residence tax certificates and tax payment certificates of the person who covers the applicant’s living expenses. This status has no landing criteria, and no required income amount is set by law; it is assessed case by case according to household size and living circumstances
• Receiving public assistance (seikatsu hogo) may be considered a negative factor

Proving the Authenticity of the Marriage

The authenticity of the marriage is a key element in the Spouse visa review. In the application, the couple explains the history of the relationship and their life together with supporting materials.

The Questionnaire (Shitsumon-sho)

Applicants must submit a standardized questionnaire issued by the ISA (documents for spouses of Japanese nationals, in Japanese). It covers:

• Personal details of both spouses
• How the couple came to marry
• Languages used in conversation between the couple
• The two witnesses to the marriage registration, if married in Japan
• Date and place of any wedding ceremony or reception
• Marriage history of both parties
• The applicant’s past visits to Japan, and the number and timing of the spouse’s visits to the applicant’s home country
• Whether the applicant has been deported from Japan (including departure orders)
• Relatives of both parties, and which relatives know of the marriage

Supporting Evidence of the Relationship

In addition to the questionnaire, materials showing interaction between the couple must be submitted:

• Photographs: Two to three photos showing both spouses together with faces clearly visible. Photos processed with apps are not accepted
• Communication records: SNS records and call records, where available

Cases Where Detailed Explanation May Be Requested

In the following situations, a more detailed explanation of the relationship and supporting materials may be requested. We recommend preparing materials early.

Large Age Difference Between Spouses

When there is a significant age difference, the authenticity of the marriage tends to be examined carefully. We recommend preparing a written explanation covering how the couple met, the nature of their courtship, why they decided to marry, their current living situation, and future family plans, with specific episodes that only the parties themselves could describe, together with supporting materials such as photographs and message records.

Meeting Through a Matchmaking Service or Dating App

An explanation of how the relationship developed may be requested. We recommend showing, with supporting materials, the number of times the Japanese spouse visited the foreign spouse’s country, meetings with family members, day-to-day communication, and any wedding ceremony. In some cases, a written statement from the applicant’s relatives supporting the marriage is also submitted.

Divorce History on Either Side

When either spouse has a history of divorce (especially if the previous marriage was short), a more careful explanation of the authenticity and stability of the current marriage may be needed.

Other Factors

• Foreign applicant holding an Entertainer visa: Consistency with prior applications may be checked
• Continuing employment in the entertainment/nightlife industry after marriage: May raise doubts about the sincerity of the marriage
• Small living space: A single-room apartment may raise questions about whether the couple actually lives together

Required Documents

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application (Bringing a Spouse from Overseas)

The following documents are required when the foreign applicant is the spouse (husband or wife) of a Japanese national:

Documents to Prepare in Japan:

Document	Notes
Application for Certificate of Eligibility	Available on the ISA website
Certified copy of family register (koseki tōhon) of the Japanese spouse	Must include the marriage entry. If not, also submit a marriage registration acceptance certificate
Proof of financial support	Municipal tax certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year
Guarantee letter (mimoto hoshō-sho) from the Japanese spouse	The Japanese spouse serves as guarantor
Certificate of residence (jūmin-hyō) showing all household members	Personal number (My Number) omitted; all other items included
Questionnaire (shitsumon-sho)	Available in multiple languages on the ISA website
Materials showing interaction between the couple	Two to three photographs (see above); SNS records and call records where available
Return envelope	Standard envelope with the address written and the required postage for simplified registered mail affixed

Documents to Prepare Overseas:

Document	Notes
Passport-style photograph of the applicant	4 cm × 3 cm, taken within six months before submission (photo specifications, in Japanese)
Marriage certificate issued by a foreign government authority	If the applicant’s country issues family registers (e.g., Korea), a family register showing the marriage is also acceptable

If tax certificates are unavailable: If you have only recently entered Japan or moved and cannot obtain residence tax certificates, copies of bank passbooks, a certificate of prospective employment, or a job offer letter may be submitted instead.

Application fee: There is no fee for a COE application.

Standard processing time: One to three months (ISA, Application for Certificate of Eligibility, in Japanese; as of October 2026).

For Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident

The required documents are largely the same, with the following differences:

• Instead of a Japanese family register, submit a marriage certificate issued by the authorities of both the permanent resident’s and the applicant’s countries. If the marriage has been registered with a Japanese municipal office, also submit a marriage registration acceptance certificate
• The guarantor must be the spouse (permanent resident) residing in Japan

General Notes on Documents

• All certificates issued in Japan must be issued within three months before submission
• Foreign-language documents must include a Japanese translation
• Additional documents may be requested during the review process
• Submitted documents are generally not returned. If you wish to have an original that is difficult to obtain again returned, say so at the time of application

Key Review Criteria

The detailed review standards and methods are not published, but consistency among the submitted documents is material for assessing the authenticity and continuity of the marriage. We recommend checking the following points before applying. In addition to document review, an investigation of actual living circumstances may be conducted.

Family Register Review

• Whether the Japanese spouse has a history of divorce, the presence of children, and any adoptions
• Repeated marriages to and divorces from foreign nationals may require an explanation of the circumstances
• If the Japanese spouse has acknowledged (ninchi) a child, an explanation of the parent-child relationship and of the marriage may be requested

Tax Certificate Review

• Whether the address on the tax certificate matches the address stated in the application
• Whether anything is inconsistent with the application, such as the applicant being listed as unemployed while the Japanese spouse does not claim a spousal deduction. If so, explain the reason

Guarantee Letter Review

• The guarantor is the spouse residing in Japan (ISA document guidance)
• If a person other than the spouse serves as guarantor, an explanation of the circumstances may be requested

Questionnaire Consistency

• Whether the couple has the language ability to communicate with each other
• Whether the list of relatives appears complete and natural
• Whether relatives from both sides attended the wedding ceremony
• Consistency with other submitted documents

In Cases of Domestic Violence: If you cannot ask your spouse to serve as guarantor (for example, because you are separated due to domestic violence, or divorce mediation or divorce proceedings are pending), consult a Regional Immigration Services Bureau or a specialist before applying.

Renewal Procedures

When applying for extension of the period of stay, the ISA confirms that the marriage continues to exist.

Key Documents for Renewal

• Application for permission to extend period of stay
• Passport-style photograph of the applicant
• Passport and residence card (originals to be presented)
• Certified copy of the family register of the Japanese spouse (showing the marriage to the applicant)
• Proof of financial support (tax certificates, etc.)
• Certificate of residence of the spouse (all household members)
• Guarantee letter from the spouse

When the Spouse Changes

If a foreign national holding the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status divorces Japanese spouse A and marries Japanese spouse B during the period of stay, the status of residence remains Spouse or Child of Japanese National, so the procedure at the end of the period of stay is an extension of the period of stay, not a change of status of residence. However, because the marriage on which the status is based is a different one, we recommend preparing the same level of materials as for a new Spouse visa application.

What Happens in Case of Divorce

If a marriage ends in divorce or the spouse passes away, prompt notification and appropriate steps regarding the status of residence are essential. Failure to act may result in revocation of the status of residence.

Notification Within 14 Days

Foreign nationals holding the Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status who divorce or are bereaved must notify the Commissioner of the ISA within 14 days (ICRRA, Article 19-16, Item 3; ISA, “Notification concerning the spouse,” in Japanese). Failure to submit this notification is subject to a penalty (ICRRA, Article 71-5, Item 3).

The Six-Month Rule (Revocation of Status)

Under Article 22-4, Paragraph 1, Item 7 of the ICRRA, the status of residence may be revoked if the holder fails to engage in activities as a spouse for a continuous period of six months or more without legitimate reason.

This may apply not only after divorce or the death of the spouse, but also where the marriage legally continues and the holder has not engaged in activities as a spouse (for example, due to separation) for six months or more.

However, revocation does not apply if there is a legitimate reason. The ISA has published four main examples in which the status is not revoked (cases with a legitimate reason for not engaging in activities as a spouse):

• Temporary evacuation or protection is needed because of violence from the spouse (domestic violence)
• The couple lives apart due to unavoidable circumstances such as raising children, but shares a livelihood
• The holder has left Japan for a long period on a re-entry permit (including a special re-entry permit) because of the illness or injury of a relative in the home country
• Divorce mediation or divorce litigation is pending

Changing Status of Residence After Divorce

If a foreign national wishes to continue residing in Japan after divorce, a change of status of residence is necessary. The main options include:

New Status of Residence	Key Points
Long-Term Resident (non-gazetted)	History of residence in Japan, financial independence, custody and care of a child who is a Japanese national, etc.
Work-based status	A qualifying job and employer

Under Article 22-5 of the ICRRA, when the Minister of Justice intends to revoke the status on the ground in Item 7 above, the Minister must give consideration to providing the foreign national with an opportunity to apply for a change of status or permanent residence. The ISA states that a change to another status may be permitted where, for example, the person has custody of and is raising a biological child of Japanese nationality.

Requirements for Changing to Long-Term Resident After Divorce

The ISA has published cases in which a change from Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident to Long-Term Resident was permitted and cases in which it was not (cases of change of status to Long-Term Resident, in Japanese; an English PDF is linked from the page). The decision is made by comprehensively considering individual circumstances, and the ISA notes that similar cases may reach different outcomes, but the published cases show that factors such as the following are considered:

• Length of residence in Japan and degree of settlement
• Ability to support oneself financially (employment history and income)
• Custody and care of a child who is a Japanese national (an example the ISA itself gives)
• Conduct (for example, whether the person has a criminal conviction)

How We Can Help

AEGIS International Administrative Firm is a registered immigration specialist (shinsei toritsugi gyoseishoshi), a gyoseishoshi (a licensed specialist in Japanese government procedures, including visas) authorized by the Immigration Services Agency to file visa applications on behalf of clients.

We provide:

• Preparation of documents to establish the authenticity of the marriage: including relationship history statements and questionnaire responses
• Pre-assessment of denial risk: tailored advice based on individual circumstances such as age difference, length of courtship, or divorce history
• Filing of Certificate of Eligibility applications and extension of stay applications
• Consultation on changing status of residence after divorce

Please feel free to contact us.

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Please consult a qualified professional for advice on individual cases.