What is the Spouse Visa?
The "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" visa allows foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens to live and work in Japan without restrictions. It's one of the most flexible visa types available.
Eligibility Requirements
- Legal marriage: Must be legally recognized in both Japan and your home country
- Genuine relationship: Immigration assesses if your marriage has "substance" (cohabitation, interaction history)
- Common-law marriage is NOT eligible
Assessment Criteria
Immigration makes a comprehensive assessment of:
- Legal validity of the marriage
- Substance of the marriage (do you actually live together?)
- Stable basis of life in Japan (financial stability)
Financial Requirements
There's no official income threshold, but a stable household income of roughly 2.4-3 million yen per year or more is generally sufficient. This is a practical guideline, not a legal requirement.
Required Documents
- COE application form with photo
- Japanese spouse's koseki tohon (family register)
- Marriage certificate from your home country (with Japanese translation)
- Japanese spouse's tax payment certificate or employment certificate
- Letter of guarantee
- Residence certificate (juminhyo)
- Detailed questionnaire about your relationship
- Photos of you as a couple
Period of Stay
The visa is granted for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Processing time for COE is typically 4-6 months.
Benefits
- No work restrictions - you can work any job
- Faster path to permanent residency (3 years marriage + 1 year residence)
- Can start your own business
Path to Permanent Residency
If you've been married for more than 3 years and lived in Japan for over 1 year with a 3-year or longer visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
Note: From April 2027, the requirement changes to at least 5 years of marriage and 3 years of residence.