If you’re married to a Japanese national or a permanent resident of Japan, you can apply for a Spouse of Japanese National visa (日本人の配偶者等) or Spouse of Permanent Resident visa (永住者の配偶者等). Here’s how.
Types of Spouse Visas
| Visa Type | For |
|---|---|
| Spouse of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等) | Married to a Japanese citizen |
| Spouse of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等) | Married to a PR holder in Japan |
Both visas allow you to:
- Live in Japan
- Work in any industry, no restrictions
- Renew every 1–3 years (based on circumstances)
Key Requirements
- Legal marriage recognized in both Japan and your home country
- Genuine relationship — immigration checks that the marriage is real
- Financial stability — the Japanese spouse or you must demonstrate ability to support the household
- No criminal record
- Valid passport
Applying From Outside Japan (Certificate of Eligibility)
If you’re applying from your home country:
Step 1: Your spouse in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
The Japanese spouse submits the application to the regional immigration bureau in Japan on your behalf.
Documents the Japanese spouse submits:
- Application form for COE
- Photos of both spouses
- Copy of applicant’s passport
- Marriage certificate (Japanese translation required if not in Japanese)
- Family register (koseki tōhon, 戸籍謄本) — proves the marriage is registered in Japan
- Proof of Japanese spouse’s income (tax certificate, employment certificate, pay stubs)
- Proof of cohabitation or relationship (if not yet living together — photos, chat history, call records)
Step 2: Receive COE (4–12 weeks processing time)
The COE is mailed to the Japanese spouse.
Step 3: Apply for visa at Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country
Bring:
- COE (original)
- Passport
- Application form
- Photos
- Processing fee
Visa is typically issued within 5 business days once COE is presented.
Step 4: Enter Japan
Applying From Inside Japan (Status Change)
If you’re already in Japan on another visa (student, work, tourist — note: tourist visa status change is technically not permitted but sometimes processed), you can apply to change to a spouse visa.
Submit application to the regional immigration bureau.
Same documents as above plus:
- Your current residence card
- Proof of address (住民票)
Processing: 2–12 weeks.
The “Genuine Marriage” Check
Immigration takes fraud prevention seriously. If your marriage is flagged as potentially fake, you may be called for an interview and asked to provide additional evidence.
Evidence that helps:
- Evidence of how you met (photos, trip records)
- Communication history (chat logs, call records)
- Joint finances or cohabitation
- Visits to each other’s home countries
- Shared social circle (friends/family who know both of you)
- Children from the marriage
Prepare this evidence even if not asked — better to have it.
Registering the Marriage in Japan
For a marriage to be recognized in Japan, you must register it at your local city hall (kuyakusho).
Documents needed:
- Marriage notification form (婚姻届) — available at city hall
- Passports of both parties
- Family register (koseki) of Japanese spouse
- Certificate of eligibility to marry from your home country (affidavit — usually obtained from your country’s embassy in Japan)
The process varies by nationality. Contact your country’s embassy in Japan for the specific affidavit process.
Visa Length and Renewal
Spouse visas are issued for:
- 6 months, 1 year, or 3 years (immigration decides based on circumstances)
- First-time applicants often receive 1 year
Renew before expiry. Longer renewal periods are granted as the marriage is established over time.
Divorce and Visa Status
If you divorce:
- Your spouse visa remains valid until its expiry date
- You must notify immigration within 14 days of the divorce
- You need to change your visa status before or at expiry
- Options: find employment (switch to work visa), leave Japan, or apply for another status
If you have been in Japan for 3+ years on a spouse visa, you may qualify to apply for a Long-Term Resident visa (teijūsha) if you have strong ties to Japan (children, employment, etc.).
Path to Permanent Residency
As a spouse of a Japanese national:
- You can apply for PR after 3 years of residence in Japan (with current visa status)
- The standard 10-year wait is shortened significantly
- You still need to meet tax, pension, and conduct requirements
Bottom Line
Apply for the COE first — your Japanese spouse does this in Japan while you’re still abroad. The process takes 4–12 weeks. Have evidence of your genuine relationship ready. Once in Japan on a spouse visa, you can work freely in any job. After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency.