【2026 Latest】Required Documents for Spouse Visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National)

The Status of Residence that allows foreign nationals married to Japanese nationals to live in Japan is “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”—commonly known as a “Spouse visa“. Unlike a Work Visa, there are no restrictions on the type of work, making it a crucial Status of Residence that forms the foundation of life in Japan. However, many people are unsure about “which documents to prepare” or “what the difference is between inviting a spouse from overseas and changing Status of Residence in Japan.” In this article, an Administrative Scrivener will clarify everything from the eligibility and Period of Stay for a Spouse visa to the required documents for each application category and the key points emphasized during the review process, incorporating perspectives from foreign nationals themselves, Japanese spouses, and personnel in accepting companies.

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1. What is a Spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National)?

According to the Immigration Services Agency, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” is a Status of Residence applicable to “a spouse or special adopted child of a Japanese national, or a person born as a child of a Japanese national.” Specifically, it targets a Japanese husband or wife, biological child, or special adopted child.

• 🗓️ Period of Stay: The Period of Stay will be determined as either “5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months.” The period is decided based on factors such as the duration of marriage and cohabitation status, and it may become longer with each renewal.
• 💼 Freedom of Employment: Unlike Work Visas (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), there are no restrictions on the type of work. In principle, individuals can work in any occupation, from part-time to full-time employment (this is a major characteristic of Status of Residence based on personal status).
• 👪 Meaning of “etc.”: As indicated by “etc.” in the name, this Status of Residence includes not only spouses but also biological children and special adopted children of Japanese nationals. In cases of divorce or death of a spouse, the applicability of the Status of Residence may become an issue, so it is necessary to confirm promptly if there is a change in circumstances.

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2. Applications are Divided into 3 Categories

For a Spouse visa, the type of application (category) varies depending on where the foreign national is currently located and what Status of Residence they hold. The starting point is to first confirm which category applies to you.

Application Category	When to Apply	Main Scenario
Application for Certificate of Eligibility	To invite a spouse living overseas to Japan	Coming to Japan after marriage
Application for Change of Status of Residence	A foreign national in Japan changes to a Spouse visa	Changing from Student, Work Visa, etc.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Already holding a Spouse visa, and the expiration date is approaching	Continuing residence by maintaining marriage

In addition, there is also the “Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence” for children born in Japan or for those who have renounced Japanese nationality and continue to reside for more than 60 days. Since the required documents differ slightly depending on the category, we will look at them in detail in the next chapter.

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3. Required Documents (by Application Category)

Based on the documents specified by the Immigration Services Agency, we will organize the required documents for the representative categories. Please note that actual documents may vary and additional documents may be required depending on individual circumstances, so consider this as a basic guideline.

Document	Certificate of Eligibility Application	Change of Status	Extension of Stay
Application Form / Photo	○	○	○
Japanese Spouse’s Family Register (with marriage entry)	○	○	○
Marriage Certificate issued by a foreign authority	○	○	△ (Generally not required for renewal)
Certificate of Taxation (or Non-taxation) and Tax Payment Certificate for Resident Tax (for the most recent 1 year)	○	○	○
Letter of Guarantee (Japanese spouse as guarantor)	○	○	○
Certificate of Residence listing all household members	○	○	○
Questionnaire (History of relationship and marriage)	○	○	△ (Generally not required for renewal)
Snapshot photos (2-3 sheets)	○	○	△ (Generally not required for renewal)
Presentation of Passport / Residence Card	― (New application)	○	○

• The Questionnaire is a document to be filled out detailing the history from meeting to marriage and cohabitation status, and forms are available in multiple languages. It is an important document for confirming the reality of the marriage.
• The Letter of Guarantee is a document where the Japanese spouse acts as the guarantor. Unlike a legal joint guarantee, its purpose is to promise support in terms of daily life.
• Documents related to income and tax payment (Certificate of Taxation and Tax Payment Certificate) are required to confirm the stability of the household’s livelihood. If an income certificate for the previous year cannot be provided, such as immediately after arriving in Japan, it may be supplemented with documents showing savings or future income prospects.

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4. Two Key Perspectives Emphasized in the Review Process

In the review process for a Spouse visa, not only the format of the documents but also the following two points tend to be carefully checked.

1. Whether there is a genuine marital relationship (credibility): It is not enough for a marriage registration to have been formally submitted; the actual existence of a marital life is also examined. If there are circumstances such as an extremely short courtship period or non-cohabitation, a detailed explanation of the circumstances will be required through documents like the questionnaire and snapshot photos.
2. Whether there is a prospect of maintaining a livelihood: The ability of the couple to live stably in Japan is also a factor in the decision. Even if income is not sufficient, the prospects for living can be explained by concretely demonstrating savings or future employment plans.

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5. Key Points for Foreign Nationals and Japanese Spouses

• 📅 Check the Period of Stay in advance: It is common practice to be able to apply for an extension approximately three months before the Period of Stay expires. Avoid waiting until the last minute and prepare with ample time.
• 🧾 Ensure proper payment of resident tax: Non-payment of taxes and social insurance premiums may be negatively evaluated during the immigration review. You may also be asked to submit tax certificates.
• 🏠 Be able to demonstrate cohabitation and actual living conditions: It is reassuring to regularly prepare documents that show your life as a couple, such as a Certificate of Residence for the household and photos.
• 🔄 When circumstances change, such as divorce or separation: Significant changes in marital status may affect the eligibility for your Status of Residence. Do not make self-judgments; consult with an expert or the Immigration Services Agency early.

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6. Spouse visa from the Perspective of Accepting Companies and Employers

Understanding the Spouse visa is also beneficial for personnel in companies that employ foreign nationals.

• 🏢 No Work Restrictions: Spouse or Child of Japanese National is a Status of Residence based on status, so they can be employed regardless of job type. There is no need to worry about whether “the job content matches the scope of the Status of Residence” as with a Work Visa.
• 🪪 Check with Residence Card: When hiring, confirm with the Residence Card that the Status of Residence is “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” and that the Period of Stay has not expired. The presence or absence of work restrictions can be confirmed by the description on the Residence Card.
• ⏰ Beware of Missed Renewals: By not leaving it solely to the individual and keeping track of the Period of Stay, you can prevent work interruptions due to an accidental expiration.

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7. Application Process (Steps)

1. Confirm the category: Confirm whether you are inviting someone from overseas (Application for Certificate of Eligibility), changing Status of Residence in Japan (Application for Change of Status of Residence), or renewing (Application for Extension of Period of Stay).
2. Identify necessary documents: Gather the required documents for each category. Family Register, Certificate of Residence, tax certificates, etc., should generally be issued within three months.
3. Prepare the questionnaire and statement of reasons: Carefully describe the history of your relationship and marriage. If there are circumstances, supplement them with a statement of reasons.
4. Apply to the competent Immigration Services Agency office: Apply to the office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence (or the Japanese spouse’s address in the case of inviting someone from overseas).
5. Wait for the result and receive the Residence Card: If approved, a Residence Card will be issued. Depending on the immigration review status, additional documents may be requested.

Please note that a fee is required for permission for Application for Change of Status of Residence and Application for Extension of Period of Stay. From October 1, 2026, the fees were revised (Cabinet Order No. 268 of 2026, promulgated on August 28, 2026). The fee is 10,000–75,000 yen depending on the period of stay granted (10,000–65,000 yen for online applications; Revenue Stamps cannot be used and a separate payment handling fee applies). For applications accepted by September 30, 2026, the pre-revision fee applies (6,000 yen at the counter / 5,500 yen online). For details, please see the separate article “Immigration Services Fee Revised on October 1st | Old Fees Apply Until September 30th“.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I apply for a Spouse visa even if the dating period was short?

The application itself is possible. However, there is a tendency for the reality of the marriage to be carefully confirmed, so it is important to specifically demonstrate the history from meeting to marriage with a questionnaire and documents. If there are circumstances, it is advisable to supplement them with a statement of reasons.

Q2. Will my application be denied if my income is low?

Low income itself does not immediately lead to Denial. It is important to specifically explain the prospect of being able to maintain a life as a couple, such as savings and future employment plans.

Q3. Can I do any kind of work with a Spouse visa?

Yes. Spouse or Child of Japanese National has no restrictions on the type of work and can, in principle, work in any job type. There are no job content restrictions like with a Work Visa.

Q4. What happens to my Spouse visa if I get divorced?

If the marital relationship is dissolved, the eligibility for the Status of Residence may become an issue. It may become necessary to consider a change of Status of Residence within a certain period, so please consult us early if your situation changes.

Q5. Can I consult about Spouse visa in Miyazaki?

Yes. Our office is based in Miyazaki City and offers consultations regarding Spouse or Child of Japanese National visas. We provide support tailored to the circumstances of the applicant and their family, from confirming the category to organizing necessary documents and assisting with the preparation of questionnaires and statements of reasons. Please feel free to use our free consultation first.

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9. Summary: Confirming Your Category and Meticulously Demonstrating Your Circumstances Are Key

For an application for a Spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National), three points are crucial: (1) confirming which application category you fall under, (2) gathering the necessary documents for each category, and (3) meticulously demonstrating the reality of your marriage and your prospective livelihood with documents. Because this Status of Residence provides a foundation for life without employment restrictions, it is important to prepare early and meticulously. If you are unsure, please consult with an expert promptly.

If your application is taking longer than the standard processing period, see our related article “[2026 Update] Reasons for Prolonged Spouse Visa Processing Time“, which explains what the delay does and does not mean, based on the latest Immigration Services Agency statistics.

This article is 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