What Is the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” Visa? Application Requirements, Required Documents, and Key Points in the Immigration Review Process
Simply marrying a Japanese national does not automatically qualify a foreign national for the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence.
During the immigration review process, the following three points are generally examined:
✅ A legally valid marriage has been established
✅ The couple is genuinely living together as husband and wife
✅ The couple has a stable foundation for living in Japan
The authenticity of the marriage is particularly important.
This article provides a clear overview of the requirements, necessary documents, income considerations, Japanese-language ability, and common reasons why applications for a Japanese spouse visa may be denied.
What Is a Japanese Spouse Visa?
The “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence is granted on the basis of a family relationship with a Japanese national.
The following individuals may qualify:
✅ The husband or wife of a Japanese national
✅ The biological child of a Japanese national
✅ A specially adopted child of a Japanese national
This status is commonly referred to as a “spouse visa” or “marriage visa,” but its official name is the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence.
The permitted period of stay may be five years, three years, one year, or six months.
As a general rule, there are no restrictions on employment under this status of residence.
Accordingly, holders may engage in a wide range of work, including:
📌 Full-time employment
📌 Part-time or casual work
📌 Employment at factories or restaurants
📌 Company management
📌 Self-employment
📌 Freelance work
Unlike employment-based statuses of residence, applicants are not required to demonstrate a connection between their academic background and the type of work they intend to perform.
Application Requirements and Key Review Points for a Japanese Spouse Visa
Even if a foreign national is legally married to a Japanese national, approval is not guaranteed.
During the immigration review process, the Immigration Services Agency primarily examines the following factors:
📊 Whether the relationship developed naturally from dating to marriage
📊 Whether the marriage was entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a status of residence
📊 Whether the couple can genuinely communicate with each other
📊 Whether they are living together or intend to live together in Japan
📊 Whether they have sufficient income or financial resources to maintain a stable life in Japan
📊 Whether the applicant has complied with Japan’s immigration laws and has no significant history of immigration or legal violations
In other words, the key requirements are:
- A legally valid marriage; and
- A genuine marital relationship.
Both elements must be established.
The following circumstances may require more detailed explanations and supporting evidence than usual:
❌ A short dating period before marriage
❌ Very few in-person meetings before marriage
❌ A significant age difference between the spouses
❌ The couple met through a marriage agency or a dating app
❌ The spouses have little or no common language for communication
❌ The couple has lived apart for an extended period
❌ The Japanese spouse is unemployed
❌ Either spouse has a history of multiple international marriages or divorces
None of these circumstances automatically results in a denial.
However, applicants should be prepared to explain the background of their relationship in detail by submitting supporting evidence such as photographs, message records, travel records, and a written statement describing how the relationship developed and led to the marriage.
Required Documents for a Japanese Spouse Visa
The following documents are generally required when applying for a Japanese spouse visa.
Documents from the Foreign Spouse
✅ Application form
✅ Photograph
✅ Copy of passport
✅ Copy of Residence Card (if applicable)
✅ Marriage certificate issued by the applicant’s home country
✅ Japanese translation of the marriage certificate
Documents from the Japanese Spouse
✅ Family register (Koseki Tohon)
✅ Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo) listing all household members
✅ Letter of Guarantee
✅ Certificate of Employment
✅ Resident Tax Certificate (Taxation Certificate)
✅ Resident Tax Payment Certificate
Documents Demonstrating the Authenticity of the Marriage
✅ Questionnaire
✅ Photographs of the couple
✅ Written statement explaining the history of the relationship
✅ Social media or messaging app conversation records
✅ Call records
✅ Airline tickets and travel records
✅ Documents showing that the couple lives together or intends to live together
Among these, the Questionnaire and photographs of the couple are particularly important.
The Questionnaire asks for information such as when and how the couple met, how the relationship developed into marriage, the language(s) they use to communicate, and details about their family members.
When submitting photographs, it is more effective to provide pictures taken at different times and places rather than many photos taken on the same day.
For example:
📌 Early stages of the relationship
📌 Introducing each other to family members
📌 Wedding ceremony or celebration
📌 Trips taken together
📌 Everyday life as a couple
Submitting photographs in chronological order helps demonstrate the genuine development of the relationship.
Important Points Regarding Income, Japanese-Language Proficiency, and Living Separately
How Much Income Is Required?
There is no uniform legal requirement stating that applicants for a Japanese spouse visa must earn at least a specific annual income.
Instead, the Immigration Services Agency reviews the household’s overall financial situation, including:
📊 The income of both spouses
📊 Savings and other financial assets
📊 Rent and living expenses
📊 The number of dependents
📊 Financial support from relatives
📊 Future employment plans
📊 Tax payment history
Even if the Japanese spouse is unemployed, an application may still be possible if the foreign spouse has sufficient income, the couple has adequate savings, or financial support is available from relatives.
The key point is to explain how the couple will be able to maintain a stable life in Japan.
Is a Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Required?
There is no requirement to pass JLPT N1, N2, N3, or any other JLPT level when applying for the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence.
An application will not be denied solely because the foreign spouse cannot speak Japanese.
However, the Immigration Services Agency may examine how the couple communicates with each other.
For example, applicants may explain that:
✅ They communicate in English, Chinese, or another language
✅ The Japanese spouse speaks the foreign spouse’s native language
✅ They use translation applications
✅ They communicate through video calls and messaging applications
Applicants should clearly explain the actual methods they use to communicate.
Can You Apply While Living Separately?
It is possible to apply even if the spouses are living separately, provided there is a reasonable explanation.
Examples include:
✅ A temporary work assignment away from home
✅ A job transfer
✅ Hospitalization or caregiving responsibilities
✅ Temporarily returning to the family home for childbirth
✅ Preparing a residence where the couple will live together
However, if the couple has lived apart for an extended period without a reasonable explanation, the Immigration Services Agency may question whether the marriage is genuine.
When the spouses are living separately, they should explain the circumstances by submitting evidence such as records of in-person meetings, transportation history, remittance records, communication records, and plans to live together in the future.
For Those Seeking to Obtain a Status of Residence in Japan
✅ Leave your visa application support to the Taro Fujita Administrative Scrivener Office!
✅ We provide assistance with a wide range of applications, including work visas, Dependent status, permanent residence, and the “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” status of residence.
✅ Free consultations are available. We will support you throughout the process to help make your visa application as smooth as possible.
