Complete Guide to the Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa (Spouse Visa)｜Requirements, Period of Stay, Eligibility
Introduction
The status of residence that allows a foreign national married to a Japanese citizen to live in Japan is Spouse or Child of Japanese National, commonly known as the spouse visa (marriage visa). As a status based on personal status with no restrictions on employment and a broad scope of activities, many international couples aim to obtain it.
This article explains the basics of the spouse visa, including eligible persons, requirements, and the period of stay, together with the relevant legal grounds.
This article is based on the Spouse or Child of Japanese National category in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act and on information published by the Immigration Services Agency. Please always check official sources for the latest practice.
Eligible Persons for Spouse or Child of Japanese National
This status of residence is based on the personal status or position stipulated in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act. Eligible persons fall into the following three categories.
| Eligible Person | Description |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Japanese national | A foreign national legally married to a Japanese citizen (husband or wife) |
| Special adoptee of a Japanese national | A person who has become the adopted child of a Japanese national through a special adoption under the Civil Code |
| Person born as a child of a Japanese national | A person whose father or mother was a Japanese national at the time of birth (biological child) |
This article focuses on the case of the Spouse of a Japanese national, which is the most frequently consulted.
The Two Fundamental Prerequisites of the Spouse Visa
For the spouse visa to be granted, both formal and substantive aspects are required.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| A legally valid marriage has been established | The marriage is established in both Japan and the partner’s country and is reflected in the family register |
| The marriage is substantive | There is an actual reality of living together as a married couple and cooperating with each other in daily life |
A marriage that exists only on paper (a sham marriage) is not accepted. During screening, the process from meeting to marriage and the reality of daily life are verified. For details on proving substance, see「Avoiding Suspicion of a Sham Marriage｜Key Points of Proof in Spouse Visa Screening」.
Period of Stay
The period of stay for Spouse or Child of Japanese National is divided into the following four categories.
| Period of Stay | Guideline |
|---|---|
| 5 years | When the marriage has lasted a long time and life is stable |
| 3 years | Standard cases |
| 1 year | The early stage of marriage, or cases requiring individual confirmation |
| 6 months | Cases requiring particularly short-term confirmation |
When only a short time has passed since marriage, one year is often granted, and there is a tendency for longer periods to be more readily approved with each renewal.
What You Can Do with a Spouse Visa
Because it is a status based on personal status, there are no restrictions on work activities.
- You can work regardless of occupation (no job restrictions like those of a work visa)
- You are free to change jobs or start a business
- Part-time and casual work are also permitted
This high degree of freedom is the major difference from a work visa.
The Three Application Patterns
Depending on the situation, the following procedures are available.
| Pattern | Procedure | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Bringing from overseas | Application for a Certificate of Eligibility | Bringing a spouse who is overseas to Japan |
| Change from another status | Application for permission to change status of residence | A person in Japan on a student, work, or other status changing to a spouse visa |
| Extending the period | Application for permission to extend the period of stay | Renewal for a person already residing on a spouse visa |
For the process of bringing a spouse from overseas, please see「Bringing Your Overseas Spouse to Japan｜A Guide to Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)」.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does having a spouse visa make a Permanent Residence application more favorable? A. For a spouse of a Japanese national, the required period of residence among the Permanent Residence requirements is relaxed (for example, three or more years of marriage plus one or more years of residence in Japan). A spouse visa can be a shortcut to Permanent Residence.
Q. What happens to the spouse visa if I divorce? A. Upon divorce, you lose your status as a spouse, so a review of your status of residence is necessary. If certain requirements are met, a change to Long-Term Resident may be considered.
Q. Can I obtain a spouse visa through a common-law or de facto marriage? A. The spouse visa presupposes a legally recognized marriage. De facto marriages are not eligible.
How Our Office Can Help
While the spouse visa offers a high degree of freedom, the proof of the substance of the marriage and the preparation of the questionnaire (shitsumonsho) attract close attention during screening. Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office carefully supports couples in international marriages.
- A track record of a 98% approval rate
- Languages supported: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, English
- Free initial consultation