“I want to obtain a Spouse Status of Residence because I married a Japanese person” “I’m worried about renewing my Spouse Status of Residence” — Inui Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Tenjinbashi, Osaka, responds to such requests. We provide consistent support from the initial acquisition of the residence status “Spouse of Japanese National” to renewal, permanent residence, and naturalization. First consultation is free.
What is the residence status “Spouse of Japanese National”?
The “Spouse of Japanese National” is a residence status granted to those who are a spouse of a Japanese national, a special adopted child of a Japanese national, or a person born as a child of a Japanese national (as stipulated in Appended Table II of the Immigration Control Act). There are no employment restrictions, and stable residence as a spouse of a Japanese national is recognized.
The main features of this residence status are as follows:
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Eligible Persons | Spouse of Japanese national (legal marriage), special adopted child of Japanese national, person born as a child of Japanese national |
| Employment Restrictions | None (can engage in any job) |
| Period of Stay | 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years (varies depending on examination results) |
| Permanent Residence/Naturalization | Requirements for permanent residence and simplified naturalization are relaxed while the marriage continues |
| Application Submission Proxy | Application can be made by a registered application proxy administrative scrivener |
For differences with permanent residence applications or comparisons with naturalization, please also refer to the Permanent Residence Application and Naturalization Application pages.
Requirements for Acquisition and Renewal
New Application (Calling from Overseas/Changing Residence Status)
- Establishment of Marriage: There must be a legally valid marriage relationship under Japanese law (marriage registration must be accepted in both countries)
- Substance of Marriage: There must be cohabitation, sharing of living expenses, and actual interaction (sham marriages are strictly examined)
- Ability of Japanese Spouse to Maintain Livelihood: The couple must be able to lead a stable life in Japan (specific income standards are not disclosed, and are judged comprehensively based on family composition, living expenses, savings, etc.)
- Behavior and Compliance with Laws: The applicant must have no criminal record or history of immigration violations
Renewal (Application for Extension of Period of Stay)
During renewal, the continuation and substance of the marriage will be re-examined. Attention is needed on the following points.
- If you are living separately or undergoing divorce mediation, renewal may become difficult
- The income, taxes, and pension status of the Japanese spouse are also subject to examination
- There must be no illegal employment or violation of reporting obligations during the previous period of stay
- Renewal can be applied for from 3 months before the expiration of the period of stay. Please prepare early
Do you have any of these concerns?
- Got married overseas. How can I bring my spouse to Japan?
- Want to change from another residence status to “Spouse of Japanese National”
- Don’t know what documents are needed for renewal
- Japanese spouse is self-employed/unemployed. Worried about meeting income requirements
- Had a period of separation, want to confirm if renewal is possible
- Want to continue living in Japan after divorce (considering change to Long-Term Resident)
- Considering permanent residence or naturalization in the future
Main Required Documents
The required documents vary depending on the type of application (new, change, renewal) and individual circumstances. Below are typical examples.
Documents from the Applicant (Foreigner)
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (new) or Application for Permission to Change/Extend Residence Status
- Photo (4cm×3cm)
- Copy of passport (all pages)
- Copy of residence card (if residing)
- Questionnaire (prescribed form by Immigration Bureau)
Documents from the Japanese Spouse
- Family register (with marriage entry)
- Resident certificate (for all household members)
- Taxation certificate and tax payment certificate for resident tax (for the past year)
- Withholding slip or final tax return (for the past 1-3 years)
- Certificate of employment or certificate of registered matters of the company (if self-employed)
Documents to Prove Marriage
- Marriage certificate (issued by home country, with Japanese translation attached)
- Photos from the wedding and photos taken together
- Statement of reasons for application explaining the relationship and marriage history
- Records of communication via SNS/messages (as needed)
*The above are examples. Actual required documents need prior confirmation with the jurisdictional Immigration Services Agency. Our office will review and adjust all documents.
Application Process
Free Consultation (Our Office)
Contact us by phone or form. We will ask about the marriage situation, residence history, and Japanese spouse’s income, and inform you of the possibility of application and required documents.
Collection and Preparation of Documents
We will provide a list of required documents and support the preparation of application forms, questionnaires, and statements of reasons for application. We also handle translation of home country documents.
Review and Final Check of Documents
Our office will review the entire set of documents and check for any deficiencies. If there are missing documents, we will guide you on additional collection.
Application to Immigration Services Agency
Our registered application proxy administrative scrivener will apply to the Immigration Services Agency (customers generally do not need to go to the counter).
Receipt of Examination and Approval Notice
The estimated examination period is about 1 to 3 months. The process is completed upon receipt of the approval notice (Certificate of Eligibility or residence card).
Estimated Period and Fees
| Application Type | Government Fee | Our Fee (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility Application | Free | 132,000円〜 |
| Period of Stay Renewal Application | ¥5,500 | 88,000円〜 |
| Change of Status Application | ¥5,500 | 132,000円〜 |
※The above fees are estimates only and may vary depending on case complexity and individual circumstances. See fee schedule or free consultation for details.
*We cannot guarantee “approval will be granted.” For details, please check the Price List or Free Consultation.
Three Reasons to Choose Our Office
1. Multilingual Support for Peace of Mind for Foreign Spouses
Foreign spouses who are not confident in Japanese can consult in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Our office also handles the translation support for home country documents all at once.
2. Careful Preparation of Statements of Reasons for Application and Questionnaires
In the examination of Spouse Status of Residences, the substance of the marriage is the most important examination point. We carefully support the preparation of statements of reasons for application and questionnaires that accurately convey the circumstances from the meeting to the marriage and the current living situation.
3. No Need for Window Service with Application Submission Proxy
As a registered application proxy administrative scrivener, our office applies to the Immigration Services Agency on behalf of the customer. Those who are busy with work or childcare can save the trouble of going to the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Applications and Requirements
- We got married overseas. How do we proceed with bringing my spouse to Japan?
- You will apply for the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Immigration Services Agency. Once approved, send the certificate to the foreign spouse, who will obtain a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate and enter Japan. It generally takes about 3 to 5 months from application to entry.
- If the Japanese spouse has a low income, will it not be approved?
- Even if the income is low, if the applicant (foreigner) has a stable income, approval may be granted. The applicant’s savings, assets, and income of supporters are also considered. Please consult individually for measures if the income is low.
- Can I renew even if we are living separately?
- If living separately, the substance of the marriage will be questioned, and renewal may become difficult. However, if there are reasonable reasons for separation, such as a solo assignment, caregiving, or fleeing from domestic violence, approval may be granted by explaining the situation in detail. Please consult early.
- Can I change from a Work-related Status of Residence to a Spouse Status of Residence?
- Yes, by applying for permission to change residence status, you can change from a Work-related Status of Residence to “Spouse of Japanese National.” Change applications can be made at any time regardless of the period of stay (please hurry if the period of stay is near).
- What happens if the application is not approved?
- If not approved, you can request disclosure of the reasons. Based on the reasons, you can supplement the documents and reapply. Our office also supports reapplication. However, as we are not a certified administrative scrivener, we cannot file an appeal (objection).
About Documents and Procedures
- The marriage certificate is written in the language of the home country. Is translation necessary?
- Yes, a Japanese translation must be attached. Translation can be done by a professional service or by the applicant themselves. Our office provides translation support in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
- How should I write the questionnaire?
- In the questionnaire, specifically fill in the details of how you met, dated, and got married, as well as your current living situation (cohabitation, living expenses, communication methods, etc.). Consistency and specificity of content are key points in the examination. Our office supports the preparation.
- How many photos of the two of us are needed?
- There is no specific number requirement, but it is common to prepare multiple photos (about 10 to 20) that convey the history from meeting to marriage. Photos showing the reality of the relationship, such as travel, meals, and events, are effective.
About Renewal and Future Residence
- What happens to the residence status if I get divorced?
- After divorce, the residence status of “Spouse of Japanese National” is not immediately revoked, but renewal is generally not recognized. Depending on the situation, it is necessary to consider changing to “Long-Term Resident” or switching to another residence status. There is an obligation to report to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days after divorce (Article 19-16 of the Immigration Control Act).
- Can I apply for permanent residence from a Spouse Status of Residence?
- For spouses of Japanese nationals, if you have been married for more than 3 years and have had an address in Japan for more than 1 year consecutively, you can apply for permanent residence (the usual 10-year requirement is relaxed). For details, please see the Permanent Residence Application page.
- Can I work or change jobs while on a Spouse Status of Residence?
- Yes, “Spouse of Japanese National” has no employment restrictions, so you can work or change jobs regardless of the type of job or industry. There is no need to report to the Immigration Services Agency when changing jobs, but you must report the change of workplace (Article 19-16 of the Immigration Control Act).
Related Visas and Services
- Permanent Residence Application & Acquisition — Steps from Spouse Status of Residence to Permanent Residence
- Naturalization Application — For those considering acquiring Japanese nationality
- Long-Term Resident — As a residence status change after divorce
- Family Stay — Residence for spouses and children of those with Work-related Status of Residences
- Application Process — From request to our office to completion
- Price List — List of fees for various applications
Inquiries and Free Consultation
The key to the examination of a Spouse Status of Residence is how to prove the substance of the marriage. From document preparation to application, our office provides careful support. If you want to first confirm whether your case can be applied for, please feel free to consult us. First consultation is free.
| Phone | 06-6949-8756 |
| Business Hours | Weekdays 9:00-17:00 (Thursday 9:00-13:00) |
| Closed | Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays |
| Location | 〒530-0041 Room 201, Fuji Heights, 1-6-6 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka |
The information on this page is as of May 2026. Laws and operations may change. For the latest information, please contact the Immigration Services Agency or our office.