Spouse of permanent resident visa
Spouse of permanent resident visa
To customers who
☑Want to marry a foreigner who is a permanent resident or special permanent resident and lives in Japan.
☑Are Children of permanent residents and special permanent residents want to live in Japan
- What is a Spouse of permanent resident visa?
- Applying for a Spouse Visa
- Procedures of international marriage before obtaining a visa
- Procedure when both parents are foreigners and the child is born in Japan
- Procedure when both parents are foreigners and the child is born overseas
- Visa application process
- Required documents for “Certification” procedure
- Required documents for “Extension” procedure
- Required documents for “Change” procedure
- Key points for a Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa
- Frequently Asked Questions about Spouse of permanent resident visa
- Spouse of permanent resident visa support and fees
What is a Spouse of permanent resident visa?
The Spouse of Permanent Resident visa is a residency status in Japan designed for individuals who have married a person with a Permanent Resident Visa (becoming a husband or wife), those whose spouse (husband or wife) has acquired permanent residency, and children born in Japan to permanent residents (including those with special permanent residency).
The period of stay permitted under a Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months, and of course, it is possible to extend the period. The unique feature is that there are no restrictions on the activities you can do in Japan, so you can freely choose your occupation and work just like Japanese people. There are also no age restrictions for obtaining this visa.
Persons eligible for visas, such as spouses of permanent residents
- The spouse (husband or wife) of a person with permanent resident status
- The spouse (husband or wife) of a special permanent resident
- A child who was born in Japan as a child of a permanent resident and continues to reside in Japan
- A child who was born in Japan as a child of a special permanent resident and continues to reside in Japan.
Unlike visas like the Spouse of Japanese National Visa, it is necessary to be born in Japan, and those who were born overseas cannot obtain this visa.
The child must also continue to reside in Japan after birth.
Therefore, even if you obtain the residence status of “Spouse of permanent resident” at birth if your period of stay has expired while you are staying overseas for a long time, you will not be able to obtain it again, and will be granted a status of residence such as “Long Term Resident”.
Even if a parent loses their permanent resident status after obtaining a child’s residence status, their child’s residence status will not be affected.
| Spouse Visa | |
|---|---|
| Permanent resident husband or wife | Spouse of permanent resident visa |
| Children of permanent residents (biological children) |
| Overview of Spouse of a Permanent Resident visa | |
|---|---|
| Activities | Residing in Japan as a person married to a Permanent Resident or a special permanent resident (husband or wife) Residing in Japan as a person born as a child of a permanent resident or a special permanent resident |
| Period of stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months |
| Standard ministerial ordinance | You will need to prove that you have the applicable status. |
Applying for a Spouse Visa
We will briefly explain the application procedure, required documents, and average processing period when applying for a Spouse Visa (Spouse of Japanese National Visa/Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa).
The cases that are applicable for this Spouse Visa, etc. can be broadly divided into 1) cases where a foreigner becomes a spouse through international marriage, and 2) cases where a foreigner’s child is born between an international married couple, etc.
To obtain these visas, some procedures must be completed before applying for a visa, so let’s take a closer look.
Procedures of international marriage before obtaining a visa
The procedure for a foreign spouse to obtain a visa to live in Japan after marriage can be broadly divided into three steps: of these, the international marriage procedure will mostly be done by yourself.
*The final step of the visa issuance procedure at a Japanese embassy or consulate is not necessary if the foreign spouse you are marrying has already come to Japan for a short-term stay or is already residing in Japan on a student visa or working visa, and only applies for Permission to Change The Status Of Residence.
In international marriage procedures, the first question is whether to get married in Japan or in a foreign country, whether the marriage meets the requirements of both parties’ nation’s laws (marital age, etc.) and whether the marriage can be carried out legally. There are slight differences in procedures depending on the nationalities of the parties to the marriage, but in all cases, to obtain a Spouse Visa, the marriage formalities must be completed before applying for a visa.
You cannot apply for a Spouse Visa if you have not completed the marriage formalities (for example, if you are a common-law wife), so please complete the marriage formalities first.
| Marriage between a foreigner residing in Japan and a foreigner (Spouse of permanent resident visa) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | When foreigners of different nationalities residing in Japan get married |
|
When a foreign man (country A) and a foreign woman (country B) get married in Japan, in many cases, if the marriage formalities are carried out in Japan, the marriage is established in both countries by notifying each spouse’s country (or embassy in Japan). However, there are cases where it is not necessary to notify the foreign spouse’s country, or it may not be possible to do so at all, so please contact the consulate or embassy of each country first. Although there are some differences depending on the Japanese city hall, ward office, etc. where you submit your notification at the Japanese government office, the following documents are generally required. When registering your marriage, please check the required documents with the local government office beforehand.
❶Marriage registration (2 witnesses required)
*For foreign language documents, a Japanese translation is required. |
|
| 2 | When foreigners of the same nationality residing in Japan get married |
|
When a foreign man (country A) and a foreign woman (country A) get married in Japan generally, marriage procedures can be carried out in your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan using the method of your country, so please contact the embassy or consulate in your country first.
(Example) Marriage between Chinese people ⇒ Chinese Embassy in Japan, Vietnamese people ⇒ Vietnamese Embassy in Japan |
|
Procedure when both parents are foreigners and the child is born in Japan
If your child was born in Japan and does not have Japanese nationality, you will need to complete the following procedures before applying for a visa.
| Birth procedures for children born in Japan (Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa, etc.) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Please notify the birth of the municipality where you are located within 14 days from the birth. It needs to be submitted to the Family Registration Division of the municipal office where you live. A birth certificate is required for notification. Based on the birth registration, a resident record and family register will be created at the city, ward, town, or village. After notifying the birth, you will obtain a “Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Birth” or “Certificate of Items Included in Birth Registration.” You will need it to acquire nationality and apply for a passport for your child. |
| 2 | Proceed with a Notification of birth at the embassy or consulate of the child’s nationality (father’s or mother’s nationality) in Japan and have your passport issued. |
| 3 | Within 30 days from the date of birth, apply for permission to obtain a status of Permanent Residence (visa application) at the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. ※If the parents hold a Permanent Resident visa and their child is born in Japan, there is a possibility for the child to obtain a permanent resident visa as well, if the parents meet the conduct and other requirements, on the condition of applying for the permanent resident visa within 30 days. In this case, the child’s visa would be either a permanent resident visa or a Spouse of permanent resident visa. |
Procedure when both parents are foreigners and the child is born overseas
As mentioned earlier, for the child of a permanent resident to obtain a Spouse of permanent resident visa, it is required that the child be born in Japan. If the child is born overseas, the Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa cannot be obtained. In such cases, it is necessary to apply for a residence status such as “Long-Term Resident”. For both types of visa applications, proof of parent-child relationship, such as a birth certificate, family registry, and proof of kinship, must be provided. Therefore, it is crucial to have completed legal birth procedures in the foreign country as a prerequisite.
Visa application process
Now, let’s take a look at the specific application procedures for “Certification” of a Spouse Visa (Spouse of Japanese National Visa/Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa) or “Change” or “Renewal” of a spouse visa after the international marriage procedures and birth notification in the case of children, which are the prerequisites for such a visa.
For more information on the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) and the Immigration Agency (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency), please click here(currently in preparation) for a detailed explanation.
Required documents for “Certification” procedure
We will guide you through the basic required documents for the certification of a Spouse Visa (Japanese national Spouse Visa/Spouse of permanent resident visa) (application for issuance of the certificate of eligibility). The required documents listed below are basic, and additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Obtaining the appropriate documents tailored to the applicant’s situation usually requires specialized knowledge and experience. It is more reassuring to seek advice from professionals rather than invest significant effort and time only to receive undesired results. (Please feel free to make use of our office’s ” Free consultation ” service.)
- Spouse of permanent resident visa
| ① Application for Certificate of Eligibility 1 copy |
| ② Photo (4cm x 3cm) 1 photo |
| ③ A returning reply envelope (a standard-size envelope with the address clearly written and 404 yen worth of stamps (for registered mail) affixed) 1 copy |
| ④ Marriage certificate (*2) issued by an institution in the spouse (the permanent resident) and the applicant’s (foreign national) country of nationality (foreign country) 1 copy |
| ⑤ Documents proving the expenses of staying in Japan (1)Resident taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year of the person who will pay the applicant’s (foreigner’s) stay expenses (one year’s total income and tax payment status are listed) (* 3) 1 copy each (2)Others (*4) a.Copy of savings passbook (*5) as appropriate b.Certificate of intended employment or notice of employment offer (issued by a Japanese company) as appropriate c.Documents similar to the above as appropriate |
| ⑥ A letter of guarantee (*6) from your spouse (the permanent resident) 1 copy |
| ⑦ Certificate of residence with all members of the spouse’s (Permanent resident) household listed 1 copy |
| ⑧ Questionnaire(*6) 1 copy |
| ⑨ Documents that prove the interaction between husband and wife a.Snapshot 2-3 photos (Photographs of two people whose appearance can be clearly seen. Photos processed by an app are not acceptable.) b.Other (what can be submitted below) ・SNS records ・Call records |
※1 Please check the following precautions.
・If the applicant (foreigner) has Korean nationality and a family register has been issued, a family register issued by a foreign organization that records the marriage of the two people is also acceptable.
・If you have notified your marriage to a Japanese government office, please submit a marriage registration acceptance certificate.
※2 Please check the following precautions.
・It will be issued by the ward office, city hall, or government office of the municipality where you live as of January 1st of that year.
・If both the total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes are paid) for one year are written, either one is fine.
・Please submit documents within 3 months from the date of issue.
※3 If you are unable to prove your living expenses using the documents in (1) because you have just entered Japan or moved, please submit documents a ~ c.
※4 A copy of your web passbook screen (something that shows your transaction history) is acceptable. However, it must be printed without any modification (excel files etc. are not accepted).
※5 The guarantor must be a spouse (permanent resident) residing in Japan. Please download the format here (PDF (Japanese), PDF (English))
※6 Click here (PDF (Japanese)、PDF (English)、PDF (Simplified Chinese)、PDF (Traditional Chinese)、PDF (Korean)、PDF (Portuguese)、PDF (Spanish)、PDF (Tagalog)、PDF (Vietnamese)、PDF (Thai)、PDF (Indonesian) to find in each language.
For those other than the applicant (foreigner) (for those who can submit application documents, please refer to This page), it is necessary to confirm whether or not the person can submit the application documents, so it is necessary to present a document proving the identity of the person submitting the application documents (such as a copy of the family register).
If the name on the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and the name on the passport are different, the procedure may take time due to confirmation during each procedure before entering the country, so please submit the form below. So please also submit a copy of your passport at the time of application if possible.
From the website of the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Services Agency), please download the “Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility” (PDF・Excel) and other materials are also available for download, so please check them out.
Required documents for “Extension” procedure
We will guide you through the basic required documents to extend your Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa (application for permission to extend the period of stay). The required documents listed below are basic, and additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Obtaining the appropriate documents tailored to the applicant’s situation usually requires specialized knowledge and experience. It is more reassuring to seek advice from professionals rather than invest significant effort and time only to receive undesired results. (Please feel free to make use of our office’s ” Free consultation ” service.)
- Spouse of permanent resident visa
| ① Application for extension of the period of stay 1 copy |
| ② Photo (4cm x 3cm) 1 photo |
| ③ Document proving the ongoing marriage of the applicant 1 copy |
| ④ Documents proving the cost of staying in Japan (1)Resident taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year of the person who will pay the applicant’s (foreigner’s) stay expenses (one year’s total income and tax payment status are listed) (* 2) 1 copy each (2)Others (*3) a.Copy of savings passbook (*4) as appropriate b.Certificate of intended employment or notice of employment offer (issued by a Japanese company) as appropriate c.Documents similar to the above as appropriate |
| ⑤ Guarantee letter from the spouse (Permanent resident) (*5) |
| ⑥ Certificate of residence (*6) with all members of the spouse’s (Permanent resident) household listed 1 copy |
| ⑦ Present your passport (*7) |
| ⑧ Present your residence card (*8) |
※1 Please check the following precautions.
・It will be issued by the ward office, city hall, or government office of the municipality where you live as of January 1st.
・If both the total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes are paid) for one year are written, either one is fine.
・If the applicant (foreigner) pays the stay expenses himself/herself, the applicant’s residence taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate are required (stating your total income and tax payment status for one year).
・Please submit documents that are issued within 3 months.
※2 If you are unable to prove your living expenses using the documents in (1) because you have just entered Japan or moved, please submit documents a ~ c.
※3 A copy of your web passbook screen (something that shows your transaction history) is acceptable. However, it must be in a form that cannot be modified (excel files etc. are not accepted).
※4 The guarantor must be a spouse (the permanent resident) residing in Japan. Please download the format here (PDF (Japanese), PDF (English))
※5 Please omit the personal number (My Number), but do not omit any other information.
※6 Even if someone other than the applicant (foreigner) is submitting the application documents, they must be presented.
For those other than the applicant (foreigner) (for those who can submit application documents, please refer to This page), it is necessary to confirm whether or not the person can submit the application documents, so it is necessary to present a document proving the identity of the person submitting the application documents (such as a copy of the family register).
From the website of the Immigration Services Agency (Immigration Services Agency), download the “Application for Extension of Period of Stay” (PDF・Excel) and other materials are also available for download, so please check them out.
Required documents for “Change” procedure
We will guide you through the basic required documents for changing to a Spouse Visa (Spouse of Japanese National Visa/Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa) (application for permission to change residence status). The required documents listed below are basic; additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Obtaining the appropriate documents tailored to the applicant’s situation usually requires specialized knowledge and experience. It is more reassuring to seek advice from professionals rather than invest significant effort and time only to receive undesired results. (Please feel free to make use of our office’s ” Free consultation ” service.)
- Spouse of permanent resident visa
| ① Application for change of status of residence 1 copy |
| ② Photo (4cm x 3cm) 1 photo |
| ③ One marriage certificate (*1) issued by an institution in the applicant’s (foreign national) country of nationality (foreign country) |
| ④ Documents proving the cost of staying in Japan (1)Resident taxation (or tax exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year of the person who will pay the applicant’s (foreigner’s) stay expenses (one year’s total income and tax payment status are listed) (* 2) 1 copy each (2)Others (*3) a.Copy of savings passbook (*4) as appropriate b.Certificate of intended employment or notice of employment offer (issued by a Japanese company) as appropriate c.Documents similar to the above as appropriate |
| ⑤ Guarantee letter from spouse (Japanese) (*5) |
| ⑥ Certificate of residence (*6) with all members of the spouse’s (Japanese) household listed 1 copy |
| ⑦ Questionnaire (*7) 1 copy |
| ⑧ Documents that confirm the interaction between husband and wife a.Snapshot 2-3 leaves (Photographs of two people whose appearance can be clearly seen. Photos processed by an app are not acceptable) b.Other (what can be submitted below) ・SNS records ・Call records |
| ⑨ Present your passport (*8) |
| ⑩ Present your residence card (*8) |
※1 Please check the following precautions.
・If the applicant (foreigner) has Korean nationality and a family register has been issued, a family register issued by a foreign organization that records the marriage of the two people is also acceptable.
・If you have notified your marriage to a Japanese government office, please submit a marriage registration acceptance certificate.
※2 Please check the following precautions.
・It will be issued by the ward office, city hall, or government office of the municipality where you live as of January 1st of that year.
・If both the total income and tax payment status (whether or not taxes are paid) for one year are written, either one is fine.
・Please submit documents dated within 3 months from the date of issue.
※3 If you are unable to prove your stay expenses using the documents in (1) because you have just entered Japan or moved, please submit documents a ~ c.
※4 A copy of your web passbook screen (something that shows your transaction history) is acceptable. However, it must be printed without any modification (excel files etc. are not accepted).
※5 The guarantor must be a spouse (Japanese) residing in Japan. Please download the format here (PDF (Japanese), PDF (English)).
※6 Please omit the personal number (My Number), but do not omit any other information.
※7 Click here (PDF (Japanese)、PDF (English)、PDF (Simplified Chinese)、PDF (Traditional Chinese)、PDF (Korean)、PDF (Portuguese)、PDF (Spanish)、PDF (Tagalog)、PDF (Vietnamese)、PDF (Thai)、PDF (Indonesian) to find in each language.
※8 Even if someone other than the applicant (foreigner) is submitting the application documents, they must be presented.
For those other than the applicant (foreigner) (for those who can submit application documents, please refer to This page), it is necessary to confirm whether or not the person can submit the application documents, so it is necessary to present a document proving the identity of the person submitting the application documents (such as a copy of the family register).
” Application for change of status of residence ” (PDF・Excel) and other materials are also available for download, so please check them out.
Key points for a Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa
We will clearly explain the important points to keep in mind and frequently asked questions regarding Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa.
Points to note regarding visas for Spouses of Permanent Resident Visa
We will inform you about the important points to be aware of when applying for a Spouse or Equivalent of Permanent Resident visa.
- About Marriage Life
If the following points apply, it is regrettably possible that the visa application may be scrutinized for the potential of sham marriage or other considerations, leading to a stricter evaluation:
・Significant age difference between the spouses
・Extremely short duration between dating and marriage
・Either or both spouses have a history of divorce
・Despite the permanent resident’s income being considerably lower than the average annual income, they declare supporting the applicant as a dependent, etc.
In such cases, in addition to the required documents for the application, it is necessary to attach separate documents that provide a reasonable explanation and reasons for each circumstance.
These additional documents may include explanations of the history leading to dating and marriage, documentation demonstrating a stable financial environment to support married life, information on income and living expenses, and statements from parents or friends attesting to the reality of the marital relationship and married life. Although not explicitly listed in the required document checklist, it is crucial to provide these materials in addressing any concerns during the visa application review process.
- Visa Application for Children
Children eligible for the Spouse or Dependent of a Permanent Resident Visa are those who meet the following conditions:
・Born in Japan
・One of the parents already holds a Permanent Resident Visa at the time of the child’s birth
・Intends to continue living in Japan
If the conditions above are not met, for example, if one of the parents changes from a working visa to a Permanent Resident Visa after the child’s birth, the spouse (husband or wife) may change to the Spouse of permanent resident visa. However, the child would need to change to a ‘Long-Term Resident Visa’ instead.
- About changing to a permanent resident visa
For those who have a Spouse of a Permanent Resident Visa, the “number of years requirement” of living in Japan when applying for a Permanent Resident Visa will be more relaxed than changing from a work visa.
Requirements for the number of years when applying for a change from a “Spouse of Permanent Resident Visa” to a “Permanent Resident Visa”
- Have been married to a person on a permanent resident visa for more than 3 years.
- Have lived in Japan for more than 1 year
The following is an example of a person who meets the number of years requirements for applying for a change from a Spouse of permanent resident visa to a permanent resident visa.
1 year
2 years
3 years
Period of marriage with a permanent resident
Period of living in Japan
What we mentioned here was the relaxation of the “number of years” requirement to apply for a permanent resident visa. Of course, the conditions for applying for a change to a permanent resident visa are “good behavior” and “financial ability” besides this. For more information, please see this page of our website explaining permanent resident visa.
If you have any concerns or concerns, please feel free to contact our office. (Please feel free to make use of our office’s ” Free consultation ” service.)
Frequently Asked Questions about Spouse of permanent resident visa
I have a Spouse Visa, how much can I work?
Although there are no restrictions on the scope of activities, if you continue to work in a business such as a hostess or in an occupation to which the Entertainment Business Law applies, the permission possibility will decrease. This is because if the marriage is genuine, it is generally thought that it is unlikely that the couple will continue to work in the above types of jobs, and it would be suspected that the marriage was a fake marriage for the purpose of obtaining a visa. If the situation requires you to continue, a rational reason will be required.
On the other hand, if you have a dependent visa, you will need to obtain Permission To Engage In Activities Other Than That Permitted Under The Status Of Residence Previously Granted in order to work in Japan.
This permit allows you to work up to 28 hours a week, and there are some occupations that are prohibited.
What should I be careful about when extending my Spouse Visa?
In order to pass this fact-finding survey, it is basically necessary for the couple to live together.
Extension applications can be made from 3 months before the expiration date of your stay.
Please apply for Extension as early as possible.
We have been in a common-law relationship for over 10 years. I have not submitted a marriage notification to the government office, but is it possible to obtain a marriage visa with a Japanese person in this situation?
Spouse of permanent resident visa support and fees
Support and costs for Spouse Visas (Spouse of Japanese national visa, Spouse of permanent resident visa) are as follows.
| Support content | Application document check plan (Consumption tax included) |
Application document creation plan (Consumption tax included) |
Reliable full support plan (Consumption tax included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free consultation (first time only) | 0 yen | 0 yen | 0 yen |
| Spouse visa “Certification” application support | From 55,000 yen | From 110,000 yen | From 132,000 Yen |
| Spouse visa “Extension” application support | From 33,000 yen | From 33,000 yen | From 55,000 yen |
| Spouse visa “Change” application support | From 55,000 yen | From 110,000 yen | From 132,000 Yen |
When applying for a visa, you need to decide and manage what materials are needed and what materials are not needed, as well as schedules and preparations such as what materials must be prepared by when. There are many things, such as management, that are difficult to do without specialized knowledge or experience.
Also, even if you spend a lot of time and effort on something difficult like this, there are many cases where you are not able to get the results you want.
At our office, we support these types of visa applications in a kind, courteous, and speedy manner while carefully listening to the applicant’s situation, providing support with the peace of mind and satisfaction that only professionals can provide.
In order to better resolve applicants’ problems, as necessary, our legal group provides one-stop legal services in collaboration with administrative scriveners, lawyers, judicial scriveners, and other professionals.
We also have foreign staff who can speak English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Nepali.
Please feel free to contact our office for a consultation.
For consultations, please use the “Free Consultation” service, where you can consult with a specialist free of charge (for the first time only) from here).
Editor of this article
- Ryota Yanagimoto
- Administrative Scrivener/Judicial Scrivener
At the age of 24, he passed the national examinations for judicial scrivener, administrative scrivener, and wage service manager at the same time.
While working as a full-time lecturer at a major prep school, he independently opened a legal office related to judicial scriveners and administrative scriveners,
and he has experience as a judicial scrivener and an administrative scrivener for more than 15 years so far.
He has been actively contributing to various industries such as publicly listed companies, real estate companies, financial institutions, elderly care services, and professional organizations by conducting seminars, lectures, and talks.
And now he has a record of over 60 presentations so far.
Furthermore, as the president of a Japanese language school announced by the Ministry of Justice and Acts, and an advisor to a real estate company (capable of handling foreign clients),
he has been involved in various aspects of industries related to foreigners.
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