[2026 Update] Reasons for Prolonged Spouse Visa Processing Time

Many people are anxious about situations where they have applied for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to bring their spouse from overseas to Japan, but “have heard nothing after more than 3 months” or “have been waiting for nearly half a year.” While the standard processing time indicated by the Immigration Services Agency is “1 to 3 months,” the actual average number of days currently exceeds this. In this article, an Administrative Scrivener will clarify the reality of Spouse visa processing time based on the latest statistics from the Immigration Services Agency, explaining why this Status of Residence tends to take longer, what to consider, and what to do while waiting, from the perspectives of the foreign national applicant, the Japanese spouse, and the person in charge at the accepting company.

For a comprehensive overview of the requirements, necessary documents, and application categories for Spouse visa, please refer to our separate article, “Required Documents for Spouse Visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National).” Those who are about to begin preparing their application should also consult that article.

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1. You Are Not Alone in Waiting

Applications for Certificate of Eligibility are generally silent until a decision is made. After submitting the application, it is typical not to receive any progress updates from the Immigration Services Agency unless additional documents are requested.

This can lead to the following anxieties for those who are waiting:

• 😟 “The standard processing time was stated as 3 months, but it’s already passed. Did something go wrong?”
• 🤔 “Does no contact mean the review process has stalled?”
• 😰 “Will it be a Denial if this continues?”

First, it is important to understand that the review process for Spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) tends to take longer than other Status of Residence categories, even statistically. This is largely due to the nature of the review for this Status of Residence, rather than issues with individual applications. We will confirm this with publicly available figures starting from the next chapter.

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2. Standard Processing Time: “1 to 3 Months” — But This Is an Estimate

The Immigration Services Agency publicly states the standard processing time for Application for Certificate of Eligibility as “1 to 3 months” (Immigration Services Agency, “Application for Certificate of Eligibility”). Please note that there is no Fee for this application itself.

It is important to note here that the standard processing time is merely an estimate and does not guarantee processing within this period. Actual Processing time varies depending on the application content, completeness of submitted documents, and the congestion of the review process.

Item	Content
Standard Processing Time	1 to 3 months
Fee	None
Application Destination	Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over the planned place of residence or the accepting institution’s location
Who Can Apply	Applicant themselves, staff of the accepting institution, other representatives specified by Ministry of Justice Ordinance, certain Administrative Scriveners Authorized to File Applications, etc.

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3. Latest Statistics Show “Actual Average Number of Days”

The Immigration Services Agency publishes monthly processing times for Immigration review. According to statistics for May 2026 approvals, the average number of days taken for the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility is as follows:

Status of Residence	Average Number of Days Until Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility (May 2026 Approvals)
Spouse or Child of Japanese National	111.5 days
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident	137.5 days
Student	70.6 days
Dependent	69.1 days
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services	62.9 days
Temporary Visitor	8.5 days

Spouse or Child of Japanese National averages 111.5 days, or approximately 3.7 months, already exceeding the upper limit of the standard processing time of 3 months. Compared to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (62.9 days), this calculates to approximately 1.8 times the number of days.

Furthermore, recent trends indicate that the period is extending.

Month of Publication	Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Average Number of Days Until Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility)
April 2026 Approvals	89.7 days
May 2026 Approvals	111.5 days

In other words, the situation where “issuance does not occur even after the standard processing time has passed” is, statistically speaking, not uncommon.

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4. Why Spouse Visas Tend to Take Longer

The reason why the immigration review for a Spouse visa tends to take longer compared to work-related Status of Residence is that the core of the review lies in whether there is a genuine marital relationship.

For work-related Status of Residence such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, the pillars of the review are elements that are relatively easy to verify formally, such as academic background, work history, employment contracts, and company documents. On the other hand, for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” what is questioned is not only whether a marriage is legally established in the Family Register, but also whether there is a genuine marital relationship.

• 💑 Are there any unnatural points in the progression from dating to marriage?
• 🏠 What is the cohabitation status and the reality of daily life?
• 💴 Is there a prospect for the couple to maintain a livelihood?
• 📄 Are the contents of the submitted questionnaires, snapshots, communication records, etc., consistent?

Such circumstances cannot be immediately determined solely by documents and require careful verification. In addition, if additional documents are requested, the days spent waiting for the response are also included in the processing time, so just one extra round of communication can significantly extend the overall period.

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5. [Important] A Long Processing Time Does Not Mean Denial

This is the core of this article. What applicants waiting for a decision worry about most is whether a long processing time is a bad sign, but the length of the immigration review period is not directly linked to the outcome.

The fact that the immigration review is taking time does not, in itself, mean denial.

As a general tendency, it can be summarized as follows:

• ⏳ The fact that the immigration review is taking time does not, in itself, mean denial. As explained in the previous section, Spouse visas are statistically a type that requires time.
• 📭 The absence of additional inquiries (requests for additional documents) usually suggests that the immigration review is proceeding smoothly. If the Immigration Services Agency has questions, the normal procedure is to request questionnaires or additional documents. There is no need to interpret a lack of contact as being “ignored.”
• 📬 Conversely, even if additional documents are requested, it does not automatically mean a disadvantage. This simply means there are points that need clarification, so it is important to submit the requested documents accurately and within the deadline.

However, these are merely general tendencies. We cannot guarantee the outcome of individual cases. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to review your preparations rather than simply waiting.

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6. Even After Issuance, That Is Not the Goal

This is often overlooked but is a very important point in practice. The issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility is not the end of the procedure for coming to Japan.

The Immigration Services Agency explains regarding the Certificate of Eligibility that “a Certificate of Eligibility that has been issued allows for prompt visa issuance and Permission for Landing by submitting or presenting it during the visa application at an overseas diplomatic mission or the Application for Landing.” This means that the following steps remain after issuance:

1. Visa application at an overseas diplomatic mission (embassy/consulate) — Submit the Certificate of Eligibility to receive visa issuance.
2. Application for Landing (Immigration review at Japanese airports, etc.) — Present the visa and Certificate of Eligibility to receive Permission for Landing.

While the Certificate of Eligibility certifies conformity with the conditions for Landing related to the Status of Residence, visa issuance is at the discretion of the overseas diplomatic mission. The number of days required for visa issuance varies by country/region, and it may take additional days at this stage.

Furthermore, the Certificate of Eligibility has a validity period. A Certificate of Eligibility issued on or after August 1, 2022, is valid for “3 months” from the date of issuance (Immigration Services Agency “New Handling of the Validity Period of the Certificate of Eligibility”). Since the Certificate of Eligibility certifies conformity with the conditions for Landing at the time of issuance, it is necessary to proceed with immigration procedures within its validity period.

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7. What You Can and Should Do While Waiting

For Foreign Nationals and Japanese Spouses

1. Do not immediately assume there is an issue even if the standard Processing time (1-3 months) has passed. The statistical average is approximately 3.7 months (for permissions granted in May 2026).
2. Ensure you can reliably receive communications from the Immigration Services Agency. Requests for additional documents will be sent to the contact information provided in the application form (or to the office of the Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, if you used one). If you move or change your phone number or email address, promptly update your contact information. Failing to notice and act on notifications is the biggest factor in extending the Processing time.
3. If additional documents are requested, submit them accurately and within the deadline. An incomplete response will lead to further inquiries and take more time.
4. Inquire about the progress through your Administrative Scrivener or other entrusted professional. If you have entrusted an Administrative Scrivener to file your application, their office is the point of contact for communication with the Immigration Services Agency. Please consult with them first. If you filed the application yourself, the regional Immigration Services Agency where you applied will be the point of contact.
5. Prepare for your life after arrival in Japan. Getting your housing, living expenses, and, if necessary, a prospective place of employment in order, so you can move quickly after the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, will prevent the waiting period from being wasted.

For HR Professionals at Companies

Since a Spouse visa is a Status of Residence based on status with no restrictions on the type of work, it is common in practice for prospective employees to come to Japan under the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status of Residence. As an HR professional, please note the following points:

Situation	Points to Note
Setting the start date of employment	Do not calculate backward from the issuance date of the Certificate of Eligibility. It takes time for visa application and Landing procedures even after issuance, so allow ample time.
Recruitment plan	Estimate based on actual values (approximately 3.7 months recently) + visa procedures, rather than the standard Processing time (1-3 months).
Support for the applicant	Inform the applicant in advance that the waiting period may be prolonged, and provide support to prevent them from declining the job offer due to anxiety.
Confirmation of Status of Residence	Before starting work, confirm the Status of Residence and Period of Stay on the Residence Card (Spouse visa has no occupational restrictions).

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8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. The standard Processing time of 3 months has passed. Should I inquire?
Statistically, it is not uncommon for it to exceed 3 months (the average for permissions granted in May 2026 was 111.5 days). While it is generally best to wait patiently, if there is a possibility that a notification has not reached you due to a change in contact information, confirmation is necessary. If you have entrusted an Administrative Scrivener, please consult with them.

Q2. Does no contact mean that the Immigration review has stopped?
Not necessarily. For an Application for Certificate of Eligibility, it is normal not to receive updates on the progress unless additional documents are requested. The absence of contact itself does not mean that the Immigration review is not progressing.

Q3. If the Immigration review is prolonged, is the likelihood of Denial high?
The length of the Immigration review period is not directly linked to the outcome. Spouse visa Immigration review primarily focuses on confirming the substance of the marriage, and statistically, it tends to take longer than other Status of Residence categories. However, we cannot guarantee individual outcomes.

Q4. I was asked for additional documents. Does this mean it’s unfavorable?
This indicates that there are points that need clarification, and it does not automatically mean it is unfavorable. It is important to gather and submit the requested documents accurately and within the deadline. If you are unsure, please consult with a specialist.

Q5. If the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, can I enter Japan immediately?
No. After issuance, you need to apply for a visa at an overseas diplomatic mission and apply for Permission for Landing at a Japanese airport, etc. A Certificate of Eligibility created on or after August 1, 2022, is valid for three months from its creation date, so please proceed with the procedures within this period.

Q6. Can I consult about Spouse visa in Miyazaki?
Yes. Our office, based in Miyazaki City, accepts consultations regarding Spouse or Child of Japanese National visas. We will also propose a course of action while listening to your concerns if the Immigration review is prolonged.

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9. Summary: Knowing the Numbers Makes Waiting Less Anxious

There are three key points to remember regarding the Processing time for Spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National):

1. The standard Processing time is 1-3 months, but the actual average is approximately 3.7 months (111.5 days for permissions granted in May 2026). It is statistically not uncommon for the standard Processing time to be exceeded.
2. A prolonged Immigration review does not equal Denial. Due to the nature of the Immigration review, which focuses on confirming the substance of the marriage, this category tends to require more time. The absence of additional inquiries usually suggests that the Immigration review is progressing.
3. Issuance is not the final step. Visa application at an overseas diplomatic mission and Application for Permission for Landing remain, and the Certificate of Eligibility is valid for three months from its creation date.

While waiting can feel long, knowing the reality means there’s no need to be unnecessarily anxious. Maintaining reliable contact information, accurately responding to additional inquiries, and preparing to act immediately after issuance—these are the most concrete steps you can take now. If you are unsure, consult a specialist early.

For detailed information on the requirements, necessary documents, and application categories for Spouse visa, please refer to our separate article, “Required Documents for Spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National).”

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

Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture