- By Saki Nakahara, Immigration Lawyer
- Last Updated:
Table of Contents
- If you are a foreign national married to a Japanese national, you can apply for a Spouse of a Japanese National Visa.
- If both you and your spouse are foreign nationals and one of you is staying in Japan under certain types of visas, then you should apply for a Dependent Visa, not a Spouse Visa.
- Your application will primarily be assessed based on the authenticity of your relationship and the financial stability of your household.
- You will need to submit various documents, including marriage certificates, tax statements, a filled-out questionnaire (around 20 pages), and a detailed history of your relationship, among others.
- The processing time for Spouse Visas ranges from 2 to 4 months, depending on the case.
- If you have been married for more than 3 years, lived continuously in Japan for over a year, and have a certified term of stay on your Spouse Visa of 3 years or more, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in Japan.
A Spouse Visa is for individuals married to a Japanese national who wish to live with them in Japan. This residency status is available for durations of 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
If you are based overseas and want to obtain this visa, you will need to secure a Certificate of Eligibility from Japan’s Immigration Bureau.
If you are already a mid/long-term resident in Japan, you can apply for a change of residency status.
While the Spouse Visa is primarily for spouses, it is formally known as “Spouse of a Japanese National, etc.” and also extends to foreign nationals who were born as children of Japanese nationals, including those known as “former Japanese nationals” who lost their Japanese nationality upon acquiring another country’s nationality.
Holders of a Spouse Visa are allowed to work without restrictions, though certain jobs may require additional licenses or qualifications in Japan. The requirements for permanent residency are also relaxed for them.
You need to be legally married prior to applying for a Spouse Visa
The process and required documentation for obtaining a Spouse Visa in Japan can vary depending on whether you are legally married or not.
If you are married already, it is about getting the certificates and other documents to prove that you are indeed married, and that you can financially support yourself as a household.
If you are not yet married but are planning to be, start communicating with your spouse’s consulate or embassy and follow the legal marriage procedure in Japan. You will need certificates from both countries for the visa application.
Marriage in Japan
The marriage process in Japan involves submitting a signed Marriage Registration Form called “Kon-in Todoke” to the local municipal office where you reside.
This submission should be accompanied by other necessary documents, such as a Certificate of No Impediment issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate.
Once the marriage is registered, you usually need to report it to your embassy or consulate with the marriage certificate issued by the municipal office.
Since required documents may vary by country, please confirm the details with your embassy or consulate first.
Marriage Registration Form (Kon-in Todoke) Sample
For your reference, here are the items you need to get legally married in Japan:
- Marriage Registration Form (Kon-in Todoke: 婚姻届) with 2 signatures from witnesses who are over 18 years old
- Japanese Spouse’s Family Register (Koseki Tohon: 戸籍謄本)
– if the Marriage Registration Form is being submitted to a municipal office in a different area than the legal domicile of the Japanese spouse - Certificate of No Impediment and its Japanese translation (Kon-in Yoken Gubi Shomeisho: 婚姻要件具備証明書)
A document proving there are no legal impediments, such as being single, based on the laws of their home country. - Foreign Spouse’s Passport
- Foreign Spouse’s Birth Certificate and its Japanese translation
-usually to confirm the names of the parents that will be written on the marriage registration form.
Once the Marriage Registration Form is accepted, your name will be recorded in your spouse’s family register also known as Koseki.
Only Japanese nationals can have a Koseki, so while you are not “in the Koseki” yourself, you will be listed as the spouse.
Japanese Spouse’s Family Register (Koseki Tohon) Sample:
Same-sex marriage in Japan
Unfortunately, Japan does not currently recognize same-sex marriage. As a result, if your spouse is of the same sex as you, you cannot legally get married in Japan.
Other types of spouse visas available in Japan
In this article, we are mainly discussing the Spouse of a Japanese National visa, but there are other types of spouse visas available in Japan, such as the following:
- Spouse of a Permanent Resident Visa
- Spouse of a Long-Term Resident Visa
- Dependent Visa (for couples where both spouses are foreign nationals)
Once you have all the required documents ready—which we will discuss shortly—here are key steps for obtaining a Spouse Visa.
If you are currently living abroad, your Japanese spouse will be applying for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) on your behalf in Japan.
Step 1: Your Japanese spouse, along with all the required documents, applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Bureau in Japan.
Step 2: Once the application is approved, the Japanese spouse can send the COE to you. If the application was submitted online, you will receive a digital COE.
Step 3: You must bring the COE to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country to have the visa issued on your passport.
Step 4: You must enter Japan within three months of the COE’s issuance, and you will receive your residence card at the airport.
If you are currently living in Japan under a mid/long-term visa , you can apply for a change of status.
Step 1: Get married in Japan. If you are already married, gather the necessary certificates and documents to prove your marriage.
Step 2: Submit all the required documents to the Immigration Bureau to apply for a change of visa status from your current visa to a Spouse Visa.
Step 3: The Immigration Bureau will notify the foreign spouse of the result after a 2–4 month review process.
The list of required documents varies depending on your circumstances, but here is a general guide.
- Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility
- Photo (4cm x 3cm) meeting the requirements
- 1 copy of the family register (Koseki Tohon) of Japanese spouse
- Marriage certificate issued by foreign spouse’s embassy/consulate, along with its Japanese translation
- Resident Tax Taxation Certificate and Resident Tax Payment Certificate of foreign/Japanese spouse depending on who will be supporting the household income
- Copy of savings passbook or certificate of employment
- Letter of Guarantee signed by Japanese spouse
- Questionnaire
- Documents that demonstrate communication as a couple, such as snapshots, call/WhatsApp/LINE messages, etc.*
- Foreign spouse’s CV and diploma
- Documents to showcase foreign spouse’s Japanese language proficiency such as N1 Certificate (if any)
- 1 self-addressed stamped envelope for receiving the visa application result from the immigration bureau
– this is unnecessary if you are applying online.Reference: Ministry of Justice
At Small Seasons & Co., we provide a personalized list to increase the chances of visa approval.
If you want to delegate the complicated bureaucratic work that takes up your precious time (we know how stressful the workload can be!) or have concerns regarding some elements of the application, like the financial stability of the household, feel free to reach out to us!
The initial period of stay granted for a Spouse Visa is usually 1 year, and you may receive a 1-year extension for the following year as well.
Upon the third renewal, you may be granted a 3- or 5-year period, depending on the immigration office’s assessment of the stability of your relationship and household.
There are certain factors that could make the Immigration Bureau scrutinize your application, such as:
- A history of divorce
- A significant age difference
- Meeting through an app
- Not having met each other’s family or not being close to them
While these are not always obstacles to a successful application, if any of them apply to you, it is best to provide a sufficient explanation in advance so that the immigration won’t need to ask additional questions.
You shouldn’t lie on your application either to make it look “better”. If you are caught lying on the application (and keep in mind that they can always request additional information and find out inconsistency), your application will most likely be rejected.
A history of divorce
If either spouse has been divorced multiple times, especially in a short period, immigration may suspect a marriage of convenience or visa fraud. They may request additional proof of the genuine nature of the relationship.
A significant age difference
Age gaps are not a legal barrier, but a significant difference may raise concerns about the authenticity of the marriage. You may need to provide additional evidence of your relationship, such as photos, messages, or travel history together.
Meeting through a dating app
While meeting through an app is becoming more common these days, applications from couples who met this way may face extra scrutiny. We recommend submitting detailed proof of how the relationship developed, including communication history, visits, and time spent together.
Not having met each other's family or not being close
The Japanese Immigration Bureau values family bonds and believes that marriage is a union between two families, so a certain level of family involvement is expected.
If a couple has never met each other’s family or has minimal contact with them, it could raise doubts about the legitimacy of the relationship. Be ready to submit additional supporting documents, such as reasons why you haven’t been able to meet often if you cannot submit family pictures, or any other relevant justification.
The processing time usually takes two to four months, although it can sometimes take longer.
The preparation process for a Spouse Visa tends to be quite extensive, as it requires a thorough understanding of the couple’s relationship and history.
At Small Seasons, we conduct an hour-long interview that covers everything from how you met and what led to marriage, to your future plans, lifestyle, and how you will maintain your relationship.
We believe the more personalized the application, the stronger it will be.
You can start the renewal of your spouse visa as early as three months before the expiration date of your current visa. The renewal process is much simpler than the first application, as you will not need to submit the filled-out questionnaire this time.
Case Study | Overcoming Financial Hurdles for a Spouse Visa Renewal
Case study of a Japanese and Russian couple who received a one-year visa extension despite having financial difficulties.
A key requirement is that you have been married for more than three years, have lived continuously in Japan for more than a year, and have at least three-year period of stay on your residence card.
The Permanent Resident Visa application also requires that you have fulfilled other legal obligations, including but not limited to paying all taxes on time without any delays. These records will be checked for the past three years, so be sure to double-check if you have changed jobs in the past and experienced any payment delays, as this could result in your PR application being rejected.
We understand the temptation to include extensive documentation, such as numerous pictures and chat screenshots, to prove the history of your relationship for the initial Spouse Visa application. It’s crucial, however, not to overdo it, as immigration officers may not have the time to thoroughly review every detail.
It’s important to be selective about the evidence you provide. When including pictures, ensure they are meaningful and not just generic couple photos. Ask yourself if they demonstrate significant milestones in your relationship, such as meeting each other’s families.
Remember to keep it simple and focus on quality over quantity.
Our team is fully bilingual and proficient, ensuring a seamless and efficient handling of your case. If you want to delegate the work, we are here to support you.
The Spouse visa is unique in that, as immigration lawyers, we need to ask you personal questions to represent you effectively. The more personal information you provide, the more convincing your application will be.
We strive to be the kind of lawyers you can trust to share these personal details with, along with any concerns or unique aspects of your situation that might affect the approval rate.
We understand the importance of staying together as a family and will do our best to come up with a tailored solution for you.
Process Overview
Initial Consultation:
Engage in an initial paid consultation to discuss your needs.Estimation Confirmation:
Review and confirm the estimate issued by Small Seasons & Co.Contract Signing and Advance Payment:
Sign the contract and make the required advance payment.Strategy Session:
Participate in in-depth discussions regarding timelines and required materials.Document Collection and Signing:
Obtain necessary items and complete the required document signings.Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application Submission:
Small Seasons & Co. will manage the submission of your COE application.Feedback on COE Results:
Receive feedback on the COE application results; if approved, the original copy will be delivered to your address.Final Invoice Issuance:
Receive the final invoice for the services provided.Japanese Visa Issuance:
Take the COE to a Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country to obtain your visa.Entry into Japan:
Enter Japan within 90 days of the COE issuance.
- By Saki Nakahara, Immigration Lawyer
- Last Updated:
Table of Contents
Related Articles:
Case Study | Overcoming Financial Hurdles for a Spouse Visa Renewal
This is a case study of a Japanese and Russian couple who received a one-year visa extension despite having financial difficulties.
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