Obtaining a Spouse Visa in Japan: The Easy How-To Guide
Moving to Japan with your spouse can be complicated, but having a Japanese spouse visa makes it possible.
Whether you are a foreign resident or a Japanese national, the spouse visa allows your spouse to live and work in Japan without many restrictions.
This guide will help you through the Japan spouse visa application process, the required documents, and alternatives to the spouse visa for Japan.
What is a spouse visa in Japan?
The Japanese spouse visa is given to people married to Japanese nationals or those with PR in Japan, where their spouse can live and work in Japan. These visas can last 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
If you are abroad, you will apply for a spouse visa in Japan through your local Japanese embassy or the Japanese immigration bureau.
Who can get a Japan spouse visa?
The Japanese spouse visa falls under the specific visa category of "Spouse or Child of Japanese National."
You would be able to apply for the Japanese spouse visa if:
You are married to a Japanese national.
You are a spouse or dependent child of a foreigner living in Japan temporarily or permanently and wanting to join them.
Intend to join them long-term.
Spouse visa Japan requirements
When applying for a spouse visa for Japan, any foreign spouses will need to submit the following documents:
A valid passport
One photograph: 45mm by 45mm (2 by 2 inches) and it needs to be taken less than six months before the date of application.
*Certificate of Eligibility: The original or one copy. If you have an electronic CoE, present it at the visa application counter or submit a printed copy.
The spouse visa applications will vary depending on your spouse's home country. So be sure to check the specific requirements and procedures provided by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local Japanese embassy or consulate.
*Note: You do not need a CoE as part of the application process. However, you will need these additional documents without one.
Certificate of eligibility: Japan spouse visa requirements
The certificate of eligibility for a Japanese spouse visa will vary slightly depending on whether your spouse is a Japanese national, permanent resident (PR), or long-term resident.
Generally, they will need to submit the following documents to their nearest Regional Immigration Control Office or at the Foreign Residents General Information Center:
A letter of guarantee or sponsorship: this letter will be from your sponsor, your Japanese spouse.
Proof of family relationship: such as a marriage or birth certificate.
Proof of your sponsor's profession in Japan
Proof of your sponsor's annual income and tax payments
Proof of the couple's relationship: such as photos of your two together, call or text logs
Additionally, they will need to provide the following documents if they are:
A foreign national: they will need copies of your sponsor's passport, showing their relevant visa (residence card) and resident registration certificate (住民票, juminhyo)
A Japanese national: Copies of your sponsor's passport and residence card
The CoE processing time can be 1-3 months. Once the CoE is obtained, your spouse will send you the original copy, or you can print one yourself.
How to apply for a Japan spouse visa?
Applying for a spouse visa in Japan and abroad will vary depending on your spouse's home country.
For more information, please visit Japan's Immigration Services Agency website.
Step 1: Prepare the documents and fill out the application.
Submitting your Japan spouse visa application
The Japan spouse visa application process can be divided into two parts:
Obtain the Certificate of Eligibility. Your spouse in Japan will do this on your behalf and need to send you the original. You can also submit a printed copy.
Fill out the Japan Spouse Visa application. You will also need a passport photo and your passport.
Step 2: Apply at your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Submit your documents to your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
You may need to return for an interview or submit additional documents if necessary.
It can take about a week to know the application results for a Japanese spouse visa.
Step 3: Obtain your Japan spouse visa
Once your Japan Spouse Visa application is approved, return to the same embassy or consulate to receive your passport. Your Japanese spouse visa will be on a page.
How to change from a work visa to a spouse visa in Japan
This section applies to those already living in Japan and wanting to change their visa status to a new one.
You will need:
Permission to change the status of the residence application form
Photo: 40mm to 30 mm
One copy of the Japanese spouse's family register (戸籍, koseki)
A marriage certificate
Proof of living expenses: such as resident tax certificate and tax payment certificate
Guarantee letter: from your Japanese spouse residing in Japan
Residence certificate
Questionnaire
Proof of your relationship: photos together, text messages, call logs
Passport
Current residence card
Additional documents may be needed, so please consult Japan's Immigration Services Agency website or contact your local Regional Immigration Bureau.
Japan spouse visa renewal requirements
You can renew your spouse's visa in Japan three months before the expiration date. So, you will need to prepare the following documents to renew your Japanese spouse visa:
Passport
Residence card
Passport size photo: 40×30
Letter of Guarantee (身元保証書)
Spouse's Family Registry (koseki tohon, 戸籍謄本)
Certificate of Residence (juminhyo, 住民票)
Your partner's and your own tax certificate (nozei-shomeisho, 納税証明書)
Your partner's and your own resident tax certificate (kazei-shomeisho, 課税証明書)
Please note that renewal requirements will vary between prefectures and your nationality. So consult Japan's Immigration Services Agency website about the extension visa period application.
Alternatives to Japan’s spousal visa
If you cannot obtain a Japan spouse visa, you can apply for these other visa options to be in Japan with your spouse.
Option 1: you sponsor a dependent visa
The dependent visa is a good alternative to a Japanese spouse visa for your spouse to live in Japan. This visa allows those with a working visa to sponsor an immediate family member, including your spouse.
However, Japan's dependent visa requires you to support your spouse, as they cannot work in Japan under this visa. They can only work part-time for 28 hours per week, though.
Option 2: your spouse obtains a working visa
If your spouse can find a job in Japan, they will be able to work, earn money, and live in Japan with you.
Their job will be the one sponsoring their visa instead of you.
Option 3: designated activities visa for same-sex couples
While new municipalities have their own special circumstances that allow same-sex marriages, it is not recognized legally in Japan as a whole.
As a workaround, many resources state that same-sex spouses can enter and stay in Japan under the Designated Activities Visa as long as their home country legally recognizes same-sex marriage.
However, if a Japanese person marries someone from a country that does not recognize same-sex marriage, then the spouse is unable to obtain the designated activities visa.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duration of a Japan Spouse Visa?
Your Japanese spouse visa can last 6 months and up to 5 years, depending on your application. More specifically, the duration for a Japan spouse visa is 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. You can also apply for a Japan spouse visa extension.
How long does it take to get a spouse visa for Japan?
After applying, obtaining a spouse visa for Japan can take about a week. The processing time can be between 5 and 10 business days.
Does a spouse visa allow you to work in Japan?
Applying for a spouse visa in Japan falls under the "Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa," meaning the spouse can work any job in Japan and easily switch jobs.
Can you get permanent residency in Japan through marriage?
Yes, you can obtain permanent residency in Japan as the spouse of a Japanese national. To qualify, you need to have been married to a Japanese citizen for over three years and lived in Japan for at least one year.
Can you become a Japanese citizen by marriage?
Marrying a Japanese person does not guarantee Japanese citizenship. You will need to meet the additional requirements, such as residing in Japan for more than 5 years, having good moral character, being financially stable, and renouncing your previous citizenship.
In closing
Obtaining a Japanese spouse visa is a great way for anyone's spouse to work and live in Japan with you.
Even if the spouse visa in Japan is not for you, Japan offers other visa options for your spouse to apply for so that you and your spouse can be together in Japan.
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