Marrying a Japanese National: Complete Spouse Visa Application Guide

A complete guide to applying for 'Spouse of Japanese National' (日本人の配偶者等) residence status after marrying a Japanese national — covering both the in-Japan application pathway and the abroad application pathway, document checklists, review timelines, and key considerations for expats of any nationality.

After marrying a Japanese national, expats who want to live long-term in Japan need to apply for "Spouse of Japanese National" (日本人の配偶者等) residence status. The standout feature of this status is no employment restrictions — you can freely work in any occupation, making it one of the most employment-flexible statuses in Japan.

This guide covers two application pathways:

Pathway A: Already in Japan (holding another residence status) → Apply to change status within Japan
Pathway B: Currently outside Japan → Apply via Certificate of Eligibility at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country

Before You Start: Marriage Registration

Before applying for a spouse visa, you must first complete marriage registration in both Japan and your home country. The process varies by nationality, but the general steps are:

Registering in Japan (at the Japanese Ward Office)

Prepare your home country's civil registry extract, birth certificate, or equivalent official identity document — along with a Japanese translation
Visit the Japanese spouse's ward office (市区町村役所) to submit a marriage registration form (婚姻届)
Receive a Marriage Registration Acceptance Certificate (婚姻届受理証明書)

Registering in Your Home Country

After completing the Japanese registration, use the Marriage Registration Acceptance Certificate (with any required translation) to register the marriage with the appropriate authority in your home country. Specific requirements vary — contact your home country's embassy or consulate in Japan, or the relevant registration authority in your home country.

💡 Tip: Registering in Japan first is generally recommended, as Japanese ward office procedures are well-documented. The resulting acceptance certificate is a key document for your residence status application. However, the correct order may vary by country — verify before proceeding.

Pathway A: Applying to Change Status While in Japan

Who This Applies To

Anyone currently holding a valid residence status (student, working holiday, work visa, etc.) who has completed marriage registration in both Japan and their home country.

Where to Apply

The Regional Immigration Services Bureau (出入国在留管理局) with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Required Documents

Documents prepared by the applicant (foreign spouse):

Document	Notes
Application for Change of Status of Residence	Download from the immigration bureau website; select "Spouse of Japanese National"
Passport (original)	Must have sufficient validity
Residence Card (original)	Current status
Photo (4 cm × 3 cm)	Taken within the last 3 months
Home country civil registry extract, birth certificate, or equivalent	With Japanese translation (certified or self-prepared); demonstrates your identity and single/marriage status
Japanese marriage registration acceptance certificate	Issued by a Japanese ward office

Documents prepared by the Japanese spouse:

Document	Notes
Japanese family register (戸籍謄本) showing marriage	Must be issued within the last 3 months
Jūminhyō (all household members)	Shows shared address
Certificate of employment or most recent tax return	Proof of income/employment
Tax assessment and payment certificates	Previous year; from the local ward office
Letter of guarantee (身元保証書)	Guarantor is the Japanese spouse; format available on the immigration bureau website
Question form (質問書)	Download from immigration bureau; describes how you met and the relationship history

⚠️ Important: Immigration authorities scrutinize the authenticity of the marriage carefully. The quality of your questionnaire matters — describe in detail how you met, your relationship history, and your current living arrangements. Including photos of the couple is also helpful.

Review Timeline

General review time is 1–3 months. If your current status expires during the review, the "special permit period" (特例期間, up to 2 months) provides protection.

Pathway B: Applying from Outside Japan

Step 1: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan

A Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, COE) can be applied for by:

The Japanese spouse (in Japan) as the applicant/agent
A certified administrative scrivener (行政書士) in Japan appointed as your representative

Location: Immigration bureau with jurisdiction over the Japanese spouse's residence

Required documents are largely the same as Pathway A, but use the "Certificate of Eligibility Application" format.

Review time: typically 1–3 months.

Step 2: Apply for a Visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Your Home Country

Once you have the COE, visit the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country with:

Certificate of Eligibility (valid for 3 months)
Your passport
Visa application form
Photo

The visa is typically issued within 3–5 business days.

The COE is only valid for 3 months — apply for entry promptly after receiving it.

Step 3: Enter Japan and Register Your Address

Within 14 days of arrival, bring your Residence Card to the local ward office and file a move-in address registration (転入届).

Residence Period and Renewal

Period	Notes
Initial issuance	Usually 6 months or 1 year
After renewal	1 or 3 years depending on circumstances
Permanent residence eligibility	If the marriage is ongoing and you have resided in Japan for 3+ years (including 3+ years holding the spousal status)

At renewal, you must again demonstrate that the marriage is ongoing and genuine. Keep records of shared life (messages, photos, joint accounts, etc.).

Important Warnings

Sham marriages (偽装結婚) are a criminal offense in Japan. If discovered, the status is immediately invalidated, you may be deported, and you could face a multi-year entry ban
After a divorce, you must change your residence status to another category within 6 months, or the status becomes invalid
Living separately due to work or other reasons is permissible, but you must be able to explain that the marriage is still ongoing — this may be scrutinized at renewal