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Those living in Japan with the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status of Residence (commonly known as a spouse visa) after marrying a Japanese national must file an “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” before the Period of Stay written on their Residence Card expires to obtain permission to continue living in Japan. While the required documents are fewer compared to the initial spouse visa application, whether permission is granted and what the next Period of Stay will be is determined by the Immigration Services Agency’s review. This article organizes the necessary documents, application period and Special Grace Period, fees revised on October 1, 2026, and matters considered during the review for extensions for Japanese spouses, targeting foreign nationals themselves, Japanese spouses, and HR professionals at companies employing foreign nationals.
The “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status of Residence applies to the spouse of a Japanese national, a special adopted child of a Japanese national, or a person born as a child of a Japanese national. This article focuses on extensions for the spouse (husband or wife) of a Japanese national. The required documents for biological children and special adopted children of Japanese nationals are provided on a separate page of the Immigration Services Agency. “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” is a different Status of Residence.
The Immigration Services Agency indicates the Period of Stay for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” as 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months (Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations, Appended Table II). To continue living under the same Status of Residence after the current Period of Stay ends, permission for an extension must be obtained.
| Procedure | When to Use | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Extension of Period of Stay | When you want to extend your Period of Stay with a spouse visa | Article 21 of the Immigration Control Act |
| Application for Change of Status of Residence | When you want to change to a different Status of Residence due to divorce, death, etc. | Article 20 of the Immigration Control Act |
| Application for Permission for Permanent Residence | When you want to change to the “Permanent Resident” Status of Residence | Article 22 of the Immigration Control Act |
Regarding changes of Status of Residence, please refer to What is an Application for Change of Status of Residence? | Cases, Fees, and Key Review Points, and for documents required when applying for a spouse visa for the first time, please refer to [2026 Latest] Required Documents for Spouse Visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National).
The Immigration Services Agency’s “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” page outlines the review criteria as follows (summary):
Article 21, Paragraph 3 of the Immigration Control Act stipulates that this judgment is made based on the documents submitted by the applicant. For a spouse visa extension, you will need to demonstrate through documents that you are living as the spouse of a Japanese national.
The Immigration Services Agency’s page titled “Status of Residence ‘Spouse or Child of Japanese National’ (When the foreign national (applicant) is the spouse (husband or wife) of a Japanese national)” lists the required documents for an Application for Extension of Period of Stay as follows:
| Document | Number of Copies / Notes |
|---|---|
| Application for Extension of Period of Stay | 1 copy |
| Photo | 1 sheet (meeting specified standards) |
| Japanese spouse’s Family Register (Certificate of All Matters) | 1 copy (stating the fact of marriage with the applicant) |
| Certificate of Taxation (or Non-taxation) for Resident Tax and Certificate of Tax Payment | 1 copy each (for the most recent 1 year for the person supporting the living expenses. If both total income for the year and tax payment status are stated, either one is acceptable) |
| Japanese spouse’s Letter of Guarantee | 1 copy (the guarantor must be the Japanese spouse residing in Japan) |
| Copy of the Japanese spouse’s Certificate of Residence with all household members listed | 1 copy (My Number omitted, other details not omitted) |
| Passport / Residence Card | Presentation (required even if submitted by someone other than the applicant) |
💡 For an Application for Certificate of Eligibility when inviting a family member, a marriage certificate issued by a foreign institution, a questionnaire, and documents confirming interaction between spouses (e.g., snapshots) are listed as required documents. However, these are not listed as required documents for an extension. Nevertheless, the possibility of being asked for unlisted documents remains unchanged.
The Immigration Services Agency’s “Guidelines for Permission for Change of Status of Residence and Extension of Period of Stay” (established in March 2008, last revised in June 2026) states that the decision on whether to permit or deny an extension is entrusted to the discretion of the Minister of Justice, and is made by comprehensively considering factors such as activities, status of residence, and necessity of residence. It then presents 8 items to be considered. The following items should be checked for a spouse visa extension:
| No. | Matters Considered | Summary of Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The activity to be engaged in falls under the Status of Residence | A requirement for permission. Status of Residence listed in Appended Table II refers to activities as a person holding the status or position listed in the lower column of the same table. |
| 3 | Having engaged in activities corresponding to the currently held Status of Residence | Departure from Japan with a re-entry permit for a long period (including departure with a special re-entry permit) is a negative factor unless there is a justifiable reason. |
| 4 | Not having a poor record of conduct | Criminal dispositions equivalent to grounds for deportation are judged as poor conduct even for first-time offenders. |
| 5 | Possessing assets or skills sufficient to support an independent livelihood | Not being a public burden and having a prospect of a stable life in the future (sufficient if recognized on a household basis. Even if a public burden, humanitarian reasons are fully considered). |
| 7 | Having fulfilled tax obligations, etc. | Malicious cases such as high-amount or long-term non-payment are negative factors. The same applies to National Health Insurance premiums, etc. |
| 8 | Having fulfilled notification obligations, etc., stipulated in the Immigration Control Act | Obligations of mid- to long-term residents, such as notifications regarding matters stated on the Residence Card. |
The Guidelines state that the Status of Residence eligibility in item 1 is a requirement for permission, and items 3 and below are representative factors to be considered, adding that even if all conditions from item 3 onwards are met, permission may be denied as a result of comprehensively considering all circumstances (Items 2, Permission for Landing standards, and 6, employment/labor conditions, are omitted from the table).
The Guidelines note that a supplementary remark was added to “7. Having fulfilled tax obligations, etc.” in the June 2026 revision. The added remark states that, in response to requests from the Immigration Services Agency, decisions on permission or denial may be made based on information regarding the fulfillment of tax obligations, etc., provided by relevant organizations.
💡 For spouse visa extensions, Tax Certificates and Tax Payment Certificates of the person bearing the living expenses must be submitted. In addition to this, it has now been explicitly stated that payment status may be confirmed through information from relevant organizations. If there are unpaid taxes or National Health Insurance premiums, it is important to check the situation and resolve it before applying.
Article 22-4, Paragraph 1, Item 7 of the Immigration Control Act states that if a person residing under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” as a spouse of a Japanese national (excluding those who also qualify as a child born to a Japanese national, etc.) has continuously resided in Japan for six months or more without engaging in activities as a spouse, their Status of Residence may be revoked, except when there is a justifiable reason.
The Guidelines state that applicants are requested to present their health insurance card at the counter during application, and those who do not have a health insurance card are requested to present the “Qualification Information” screen of MyNa Portal, “Notification of Qualification Information,” or “Qualification Confirmation Document.” It also explicitly states that the inability to present a health insurance card or similar document will not result in the denial of a change or extension of Status of Residence.
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Basis | Immigration Control Act, Article 21 |
| Application Period | Before the expiration date of the Period of Stay (for those with a Period of Stay of 6 months or more, from 3 months before expiration) |
| Application Destination | Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the place of residence |
| Reception Hours (Counter) | Weekdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Days and times may be set depending on the procedure) |
| Online Application | Available |
| Standard Processing Period | 2 weeks – 1 month |
| Appeal | None |
The Immigration Services Agency advises applicants who wish to obtain permission within their Period of Stay to endeavor to file their Application for Extension of Period of Stay between 3 months and 45 days before the expiration date. This is because failure to update My Number Card validity or notify financial institutions by the Period of Stay expiration date may result in restrictions on daily life. The approach to application timing is also explained in [2026] When to Apply for Extension of Period of Stay? 45 Days Before is a Guideline.
The Immigration Services Agency states that in cases where truly unavoidable special circumstances are recognized, applications may be accepted more than 3 months before the expiration date. Examples include cases where pregnancy and childbirth coincide with the application period, returning to one’s home country for childbirth, concurrent application by family members, or long-term overseas business trips or assignments due to work orders. In such cases, inquiries should be made to the relevant Regional Immigration Services Bureau in advance, with the necessary documents attached.
If an application is filed by the expiration date of the Period of Stay and the result is not issued by that date, the applicant may continue to reside under the previous Status of Residence until the 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 21, Paragraph 4, which applies mutatis mutandis to Article 20, Paragraph 6).
When applying at the counter, the “Application for Extension of Period of Stay, etc.” section on the back of the Residence Card will indicate that the application is pending (this is not indicated for online applications).
Application documents can be submitted by the applicant themselves, their legal representative, or an Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications who has notified the Director of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. When submitted by an authorized person, the applicant is generally not required to appear in person, but must be staying in Japan.
The renewal fee is determined by the Period of Stay granted. Applying this to spouse visas (5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months), the fees are as follows:
| Period of Stay Granted | Fee Category | Counter | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | Over 3 months, up to 6 months | 18,000 yen | 15,000 yen |
| 1 year | 1 year | 33,000 yen | 27,000 yen |
| 3 years | 3 years or more, less than 5 years | 64,000 yen | 56,000 yen |
| 5 years | 5 years or more | 75,000 yen | 65,000 yen |
The overall picture of the revision is summarized in Residence Fee Revision October 1 | Old Fees Until September 30.
Q1. When can I apply for an extension of my spouse visa?
A. Those with a Period of Stay of six months or more can apply from three months before their Period of Stay expires. If you wish to receive permission within your Period of Stay, the Immigration Services Agency advises applying between three months and 45 days before the expiration date.
Q2. Are questionnaires and snapshots also required for extensions?
A. The Immigration Services Agency’s website does not list questionnaires or snapshots as required documents for extensions for Spouse or Child of Japanese National. However, additional documents not listed may be requested during the screening process.
Q3. If my Period of Stay expires during the review process, will I be considered an illegal resident?
A. If you have applied by the expiration date, you can remain in Japan with your previous Status of Residence until the disposition is made or until two months have passed from the expiration date, whichever comes first (Article 20, Paragraph 6, as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, Paragraph 4 of the Immigration Control Act).
Q4. I have been abroad for a long period. Will this affect my extension?
A. The guidelines state that departure under a re-entry permit for a long period (including departure under a special re-entry permit) will be evaluated as a negative factor unless there is a legitimate reason. It is important to be able to explain the reasons and duration of your departure depending on the circumstances.
Q5. When and how much do I pay the fee?
A. The amount is determined by the Period of Stay granted, so it is paid after the results of the review are issued. For counter applications, it is paid with a Revenue Stamp. For online applications, you are instructed to pay according to the payment guidance received after the review completion email, by the day before receiving your Residence Card. The amounts for counter applications are 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 payment processing 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 website, 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 made online.
While the number of documents required for a spouse visa extension is fewer compared to the initial application, permission is granted only when there are sufficient reasons to deem the extension appropriate. The review comprehensively considers factors such as living as a Spouse or Child of Japanese National, livelihood, tax payment, and notification obligations. The guideline revision in June 2026 also explicitly states that decisions may be made based on information from relevant organizations regarding the fulfillment of tax payment obligations, etc. The fee also changed on October 1, 2026, to an amount based on the Period of Stay. It is important to gather documents and apply approximately three months before the Period of Stay expires.
💴 Support fees for spouse visa extensions are listed on the “Fee” page. The first consultation is free for up to 60 minutes online. Requirements, necessary documents, and the process for spouse visas are also provided on the “Spouse Visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) in Miyazaki” page.
Our office, as an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, assists with applications for spouse visa extensions.
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.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
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
