What is a Japanese spouse visa? A thorough explanation of how to obtain a “spouse of a Japanese national” residence status and important points to note

A “Japanese spouse visa” is a visa (status of residence) that allows a foreigner who is married to a spouse with Japanese nationality to legally stay and work in Japan. Officially called “Status of Residence: Spouse of a Japanese National,” this is a very important visa for living in Japan as a married couple.

In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation based on the latest information, including an overview of Japanese spouse visas, the conditions for obtaining them, application procedures, required documents, and frequently asked questions.

1. What is a Japanese spouse visa?

“Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” is a status of residence for the following foreign nationals:

• A spouse (husband or wife) who is in a legal marriage with a Japanese national

• Natural or specially adopted child of a Japanese national

If you obtain this visa, you can not only live in Japan, but also work without any employment restrictions . Therefore, it offers more freedom than a student visa or technical internship visa, and is suitable for long-term stays in Japan.

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2. Conditions and Eligibility for Spouse Visa for Japanese Nationals

To obtain a spouse visa, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be officially married to a Japanese person (common-law marriages are not acceptable)

• The marriage is genuine and continuous (fake marriages are strictly checked)

• The couple’s base of living (income, residence, etc.) is in Japan.

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3. Period of stay and renewal

The period of stay for the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence will be one of the following:

• 6 months

• 1 year

• 3 years

• 5 years

When you first apply, you are usually granted a one-year visa, which may be extended to three or five years upon subsequent renewal. It is important that you have maintained a continuous marital relationship and are living a stable life.

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4. List of documents required for a Japanese spouse visa (major items)

The documents required for application are:

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility

• Family register of Japanese spouse

• Marriage registration acceptance certificate (or marriage certificate)

• Resident registration card (for all members of the household)

• Photos of the couple (from dating to marriage)

• Questionnaire (details of your relationship, etc.)

• Tax certificate and tax payment certificate from the Japanese side

• Letter of guarantee

*Additional documents may be requested depending on the case.

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5. Spouse Visa Application Procedures

1. Preparation of necessary documents

2. Apply to the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Services Agency)

3. Review (usually takes about 1 to 3 months)

4. Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility

5. Overseas spouse applies for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate

6. Entering Japan → Issuance of Residence Card

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6. Cases where permission is likely to be denied and countermeasures

Common reasons for denial:

• Cases where a marriage is suspected to be a sham (due to age differences, language barriers, short-term relationships, etc.)

• Incomplete or false documents

• Weak economic foundation

• Discrepant answers

countermeasure:

• Submit evidence such as photographs and message history that show the nature of your relationship

• A detailed explanation of the relationship

• Consult with an expert such as an administrative scrivener

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7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I work part-time or full-time on a spouse visa?

→ Yes, there are no work restrictions , so you are free to work full-time or part-time.

Q2. What happens to my visa if I get divorced?

→ After divorce, you may lose your “spouse, etc.” status, but you may still be able to apply for a **change of residence status (to permanent resident, etc.)**.

Q3. How long does the review process take?

→ It depends on the content of the application, but it usually takes 1 to 3 months . If all the documents are in order, the process will be relatively smooth.

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8. Summary

The spouse visa for a Japanese national (status of residence “Spouse of a Japanese National”) is an important visa that allows foreigners who are married to a Japanese national to live a stable life and work freely in Japan.

Accurate information and comprehensive documentation are required for applications. If you are unsure, it will be smoother to consult with an expert who is familiar with visa applications, such as an administrative scrivener.

“Article supervision” Kano Administrative Scrivener Office Operation HP: Visa Application Support Navi https://visasupportnavi.net/   Specific administrative scrivener ：Hiroyuki Kano “Educational background” Completed the first semester of the doctoral program majoring in public law, Graduate School of Law, Doshisha University (Master’s degree (Law)) Graduated from Meiji University School of Law “Qualification” Administrative scrivener (specific note), TOEIC 805 points “Specialization” Immigration, visa application, status of residence, permanent residence, naturalization, foreign affairs, international public law

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