Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident: Documents and PR Years

The Status of Residence for foreign nationals who marry Permanent Residents or Special Permanent Residents, or for children born in Japan as children of Permanent Residents who continue to live in Japan, is “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.” It is important to note that the required documents are slightly different from “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” which has a similar name, and for children, the condition is “being born in Japan.” Furthermore, the guideline for the period of years for a spouse of a Permanent Resident to apply for their own Permanent Residency Permit has changed with the revised guidelines for Permanent Residency Permit on October 1, 2026, and will apply to applications submitted on or after April 1, 2027. In this article, we will organize the eligible individuals, required documents for each procedure, renewal timing and fees, and changes to the years required for Permanent Residency Permit application, for foreign nationals themselves, their families, and HR professionals at companies employing foreign nationals.

---

1. Conclusion: 5 Key Points to Note First

• The eligible individuals for “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” are spouses of Permanent Residents or Special Permanent Residents, and children born in Japan as children of Permanent Residents or Special Permanent Residents who have subsequently continued to reside in Japan (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act [hereinafter, Immigration Control Act] Appended Table II).
• The Period of Stay is one of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months (Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations Appended Table II).
• For calling (Certificate of Eligibility) or change, marriage certificates, questionnaires, and documents showing marital interaction are submitted, while for renewal, documents proving the continuation of marriage and others are submitted. The guarantor is the spouse of the Permanent Resident living in Japan.
• The renewal fee will be an amount corresponding to the Period of Stay permitted from October 1, 2026, and for counter applications, it is 18,000 yen for 6 months and 75,000 yen for 5 years.
• The special provision for the period of years when a spouse of a Permanent Resident applies for their own Permanent Residency Permit will change from the pre-revision “marriage for 3 years or more and continuous residence for 1 year or more” to “marriage for 5 years or more and continuous residence for 3 years or more” for applications submitted on or after April 1, 2027 (for biological children, etc., from 1 year or more to 3 years or more; the special provision does not apply to some individuals who have received special permission for residence, etc.).

2. What is “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”?

2-1. Eligible Individuals

Immigration Control Act Appended Table II defines the status and position corresponding to “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” as “the spouse of a Permanent Resident, etc., or a child born in Japan as a child of a Permanent Resident, etc., who has subsequently continued to reside in Japan.” Here, “Permanent Resident, etc.” refers to an individual residing with the Status of Residence of Permanent Resident or a Special Permanent Resident (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-16, Paragraph 3).

Subject	Key Point	Basis
Spouse of Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident	Must be a husband or wife	Immigration Control Act Appended Table II
Child of Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident	Must be born in Japan and subsequently continue to reside in Japan	Immigration Control Act Appended Table II
Child of Permanent Resident born overseas	Does not fall under “born in Japan,” therefore not eligible for this Status of Residence	Immigration Control Act Appended Table II

The Immigration Services Agency cites “spouses of Permanent Residents or Special Permanent Residents and children born in Japan who have subsequently continued to reside in Japan” as an example of eligibility.

The Status of Residence for those married to Japanese nationals is “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” which is a different Status of Residence. Information on the renewal for spouses of Japanese nationals is explained in Spouse Visa Renewal | Required Documents, Fees, and Key Points of Examination.

2-2. Period of Stay and Work

The Immigration Services Agency indicates the Period of Stay for “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” as 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months (Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations Appended Table II).

“Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” is a Status of Residence under Immigration Control Act Appended Table II, and the activity restrictions under Article 19, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Control Act apply to Status of Residence under Appended Table I. Therefore, it is not necessary to obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted for the type of work. However, as this Status of Residence is based on the status as a spouse, caution is required regarding its treatment when circumstances change, such as divorce or separation (§5).

3. Required Documents for Each Procedure

The Immigration Services Agency’s page on “Status of Residence ‘Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident'” indicates the submitted documents for each of the four procedures. The main ones are as follows (○ = listed document).

Document	Certificate of Eligibility	Change	Renewal	Acquisition
Application Form / Photo	○	○	○	○
Marriage Certificate (issued by the competent authority of the spouse’s and applicant’s country of nationality)	○	○	－	○
Documents proving the continuation of marriage	－	－	○	－
Certificate of Taxation (or Non-taxation) of Resident Tax and Tax Payment Certificate for the person supporting living expenses	○	○	○	○
Letter of Guarantee from the Spouse (Permanent Resident)	○	○	○	○
Certificate of Residence listing all members of the Spouse’s (Permanent Resident’s) household	○	○	○	○
Questionnaire	○	○	－	○
Materials confirming marital interaction (2-3 snapshot photos, SNS records, call records, etc.)	○	○	－	○
Documents proving birth, etc. (documents proving the reason for acquisition)	－	－	－	○

In addition, for Application for Certificate of Eligibility, a self-addressed stamped envelope is required, and for Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence, presentation of a passport is required (for Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay, presentation of a Residence Card is also required).

• For marriage certificates, if the applicant is of Korean nationality or similar and a Family Register is issued, a Family Register issued by a foreign institution stating the marriage may be accepted. If the marriage has been registered with a Japanese municipal office, a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration should be submitted.
• For tax certificates, either a Certificate of Taxation or a Certificate of Tax Payment issued by the municipality where you resided as of January 1st is sufficient, provided it states both your total income and tax payment status for the year. For Application for Extension of Period of Stay, if the applicant is personally covering their living expenses, the applicant’s certificate should be submitted. If you have recently entered Japan, you may supplement this with a copy of your bank passbook or a certificate of prospective employment.
• The guarantor is the Spouse (Permanent Resident) residing in Japan. The Certificate of Residence should omit the My Number but not other items.
• For Application for Change of Status of Residence, Application for Extension of Period of Stay, and Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence, a photo is not required for those under 1 year old on the date of Residence Card issuance. From Residence Cards issued on or after June 14, 2026, a photo is required for those aged 1 year or older (for details, see Children’s Residence Cards | Face Photo, Validity Period, and Renewal from Age 1).
• Certificates issued in Japan must be within 3 months of issuance, and foreign language documents must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. The Immigration Services Agency states that it may request documents not listed on this page during the examination process.

4. When a Child is Born in Japan (Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence)

Foreign national children born in Japan as children of Permanent Residents or Special Permanent Residents will reside in Japan without undergoing Landing procedures. Article 22-2 of the Immigration Control Act states that such individuals may reside in Japan without a Status of Residence for a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of birth, and if they wish to reside beyond that period, they must apply for Status of Residence acquisition within 30 days from the date of birth.

Item	Content	Basis
Period of Stay without Status of Residence	Up to 60 days from the date of birth	Immigration Control Act, Article 22-2, Paragraph 1
Deadline for Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence	Within 30 days from the date of birth	Immigration Control Act, Article 22-2, Paragraph 2
Main Documents	Application form, documents proving birth, letter of guarantee, Certificate of Residence, etc.	ISA “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” page
Photo	Not required if under 1 year old on the date of Residence Card issuance	Same as above

In the Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence, there is also an option to apply for the “Permanent Resident” Status of Residence (Immigration Control Act, Article 22-2, Paragraph 4).

Since “born in Japan” is a condition, even if a child of a Permanent Resident is born overseas, they do not fall under “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.” When bringing a child born overseas to Japan, a different Status of Residence will need to be considered.

5. When Divorced, Widowed, or Separated

• Reporting Obligation: Mid- to long-term residents residing under “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” as the spouse of a Permanent Resident, etc., must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days if they divorce or become widowed (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-16, Item 3).
• Revocation after 6 months: Article 22-4, Paragraph 1, Item 7 of the Immigration Control Act stipulates that if a person residing as “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” in the capacity of a spouse of a Permanent Resident, etc. (excluding cases where they also qualify as a child of a Permanent Resident, etc. born in Japan) continues to reside without engaging in activities as a spouse for 6 months or more, their Status of Residence may be revoked, unless there is a legitimate reason. This provision remains the same in the revised Immigration Control Act to be enforced on April 1, 2027.

Regarding Status of Residence after divorce or widowhood, please refer to What is a Long-Term Resident Visa? | Cases Where Change After Divorce/Widowhood Was Approved and International Divorce Notification | Governing Law, 14-Day Notification to Immigration, 6-Month Rule.

6. Renewal Period and Fee (Revised after October 1, 2026)

6-1. Application Period and Special Grace Period

Those with a Period of Stay of 6 months or more can apply for renewal from 3 months before their Period of Stay expires. The Immigration Services Agency advises those who wish to receive permission within their Period of Stay to endeavor to apply from 3 months to 45 days before the expiration date.

If an application is filed by the expiration date and a decision is not made by that date, the applicant may continue to reside under the previous Status of Residence until the time a disposition is made, or until the end of the day two months after the expiration date of the previous Period of Stay, whichever comes first (Immigration Control Act, Article 20, Paragraph 6, applied mutatis mutandis by Article 21, Paragraph 4). The concept of the application period is also explained in [2026] When to Apply for Extension of Period of Stay? 45 Days Before is a Guideline.

6-2. Fee

The fee for an extension is determined by the Period of Stay granted. For the Status of Residence of “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident,” the fees are as follows:

Period of Stay Granted	Fee Category	In-person Application	Online Application
6 months	Over 3 months but 6 months or less	18,000 yen	15,000 yen
1 year	1 year	33,000 yen	27,000 yen
3 years	3 years or more but less than 5 years	64,000 yen	56,000 yen
5 years	5 years or more	75,000 yen	65,000 yen

• For applications accepted by September 30, 2026, even if permission is granted on or after October 1, the fee will be the amount before the revision (6,000 yen for in-person, 5,500 yen for online).
• In-person applications are paid with a Revenue Stamp. Online applications are paid via convenience store payment or bank transfer, with an additional settlement fee (330 yen for 6 months/1 year, 550 yen for 3 years/5 years).
• For those who meet certain requirements, the fee may be reduced or exempted. The reduced fee is 10,000 yen regardless of the permitted period. Reductions are only available for in-person applications; online applications are not eligible. For details, please refer to Reduction of Immigration Services Fee | Evidentiary documents published, applications accepted in-person.
• Those who receive a Specific Residence Card upon permission may incur an additional fee for the issuance of the Specific Residence Card.

The overall picture of the revision is summarized in Immigration Services Fee Revision on October 1 | Old fees apply until September 30.

7. Years for Permanent Residence Application: Changes from applications on April 1, 2027

When a Spouse of Permanent Resident applies for Permission for Permanent Residence to become a “Permanent Resident” themselves, the “Special Provision for 10 Years of Residence in Principle” of the Permanent Residence Guideline is applied. The number of years for this special provision changed with the guideline revised on October 1, 2026.

Subject	Before Revision (Guideline revised on February 24, Reiwa 8)	After Revision (Guideline revised on October 1, Reiwa 8)
Spouse of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident	Continuous marriage for 3 years or more, and continuous residence in Japan for 1 year or more	Continuous marriage for 5 years or more, and continuous residence in Japan for 3 years or more
Their biological child, etc.	Continuous residence in Japan for 1 year or more	Continuous residence in Japan for 3 years or more

• The revised guideline states in “Section 6 Application Period” that the revision will be applied to applications filed on or after April 1, Reiwa 9 (2027). As an exception, Section 2-4(2) (Income) and Section 2-5(7) (Not becoming a public burden) of the guideline will also be applied to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026, and under review on October 1. The special provision for years (Section 3) is not included in this exception.
• The revised guideline states that these special provisions will not apply to those who have received special permission for residence or special permission for Landing (limited to those who fall under the grounds for refusal of Landing), and that continuous residence of 10 years or more will be required after permission, as a general rule (Note 5 of Section 3). This note was not in the guideline before the revision.
• According to the proviso of Article 22, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act, a Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, or Special Permanent Resident is not required to meet the conditions of “good conduct” and “possessing assets or skills sufficient to support an independent livelihood.” However, the revised guideline states that even for such individuals, if the applicant’s household is currently a public burden and no special circumstances are recognized, a negative evaluation may be given.

8. For Foreign Nationals, Their Families, and Business Representatives

For Foreign Nationals and Their Families

• Check the expiration date of your Residence Card’s Period of Stay and prepare the renewal documents approximately three months before the expiration.
• If a child of a Permanent Resident is born in Japan, do not forget to apply for Status of Residence Acquisition within 30 days from the date of birth.
• Those considering Permanent Residency should count the years of marriage and residence in Japan and consider early whether to apply before or after April 1, 2027.
• In case of divorce or bereavement, notification is required within 14 days.

For HR Professionals

1. “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” is a Status of Residence listed in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act, and unlike the Status of Residence in Appended Table I, there are no restrictions on the type of employment. When hiring, confirm the Status of Residence and the Period of Stay expiration date on the Residence Card.
2. For employees whose Period of Stay is nearing expiration, encourage them to prepare for renewal approximately three months before the expiration date.
3. Even if the expiration date passes during the renewal review, if the application was filed by the expiration date, the individual can remain in Japan with their previous Status of Residence and engage in their previous activities during the Special Grace Period.
4. After permission is granted, confirm the Period of Stay on the new Residence Card and update internal records.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident and Spouse or Child of Japanese National?

A. The difference lies in whether the spouse or parent is a “Japanese national” or a “Permanent Resident/Special Permanent Resident.” For children, Spouse or Child of Japanese National refers to “a special adopted child of a Japanese national or a person born as a child of a Japanese national,” whereas Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident requires the child to be “a person born in Japan as a child of a Permanent Resident, etc., and who has subsequently continued to reside in Japan,” meaning birth in Japan is a condition.

Q2. Can a child born overseas to a Permanent Resident become a Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident?

A. Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act specifies “born in Japan” as a condition, so children born overseas do not fall under this Status of Residence. A different Status of Residence would need to be considered.

Q3. Are snapshots and questionnaires required for renewal?

A. The Immigration Services Agency’s page does not list questionnaires or snapshots as required documents for renewal. Instead, documents proving the continuation of the marriage are submitted. However, additional documents not listed may be requested during the review process.

Q4. How many years does a spouse of a Permanent Resident need to reside in Japan before applying for Permanent Residency Permit?

A. The special provision in the guidelines for Permanent Residency Permit states “married for 3 years or more and continuously resided for 1 year or more” for applications until March 31, 2027, and “married for 5 years or more and continuously resided for 3 years or more” for applications on or after April 1, 2027. After the revision, the special provision will not apply to some individuals who received special permission to stay or special permission for landing. These are guidelines, and approval or denial is determined in conjunction with other circumstances.

Q5. How much is the fee for renewal?

A. It depends on the Period of Stay granted. For in-person applications, it is 18,000 yen for 6 months, 33,000 yen for 1 year, 64,000 yen for 3 years, and 75,000 yen for 5 years. For online applications, it ranges from 15,000 yen to 65,000 yen, plus a separate settlement fee.

Q6. I live in Miyazaki. Where do I apply?

A. The application destination is the regional Immigration Services Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. According to the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau’s page, Miyazaki Prefecture is covered by the Miyazaki Branch Office (Miyazaki City), as well as the main office and the Kumamoto, Oita, and Kagoshima branch offices’ jurisdictions and divisions. Applications for Extension of Period of Stay can also be filed online.

10. Summary: Differences in Documents and Changes in Years for Permanent Residence Application

“Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” is a Status of Residence for spouses of Permanent Residents/Special Permanent Residents and their children born in Japan. The required documents and child requirements differ from those for Spouse or Child of Japanese National, and for renewal, documents proving the continuation of the marriage are required. The renewal fee will change to an amount based on the Period of Stay from October 1, 2026, and the special provision for the number of years required for a spouse of a Permanent Resident to apply for Permanent Residency Permit will also be longer for applications on or after April 1, 2027. It is important to prepare early, keeping in mind both the expiration date of the Period of Stay and the timing of the Permanent Residence application.

---

Our firm, an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, assists with applications for Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident visas.

For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.

• Preparation of documents and Authorized to File Applications on Behalf of Applicant for Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident visa invitation, change, and renewal
• Application for Status of Residence Acquisition for children born in Japan
• Consultation on application schedule considering the Period of Stay expiration date
• Consultation on the timing and preparation for Application for Permission for Permanent Residence

Please feel free to use our free consultation service.

📩 Contact Us Here

📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851

---

This article is written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates may change in the future. For actual applications, please confirm with official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.

Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama

Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office

Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Sources (Primary Information)

• Immigration Services Agency “Status of Residence ‘Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident'” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/spouseorchildofpermanentresident.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (Revised October 1, Reiwa 8)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (Revised February 24, Reiwa 8)” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Application for Permission for Permanent Residence 1” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/zairyu_eijyu01.html
• Immigration Services Agency “What is the Special Grace Period?” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/tokureikikan_00001.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Regarding cases where a change or extension of permission is desired within the Period of Stay” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00270.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Regarding Fee Amounts and Payment Methods for Online Applications” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/fukuoka/index.html
• e-Gov Law Search “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Articles 19, 19-16, 21, 22, 22-2, 22-4, Appended Table 2) https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319
• e-Gov Law Search “Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Appended Table 2) https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/356M50000010054