Spouse visa in Japan: eligibility, documents, work and divorce rules

Japan’s spouse visa is the status of residence Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等). It is granted for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years and has no restriction on work. From abroad you apply through a certificate of eligibility (在留資格認定証明書); if you are already in Japan on another visa, you apply to change status. Your Japanese spouse acts as your guarantor. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

Who qualifies for the spouse visa?

The status covers:

• the husband or wife of a Japanese national
• a special adopted child (特別養子) of a Japanese national
• a person born as the child of a Japanese national

This guide focuses on spouses. The marriage must be legally registered: ISA asks for your Japanese spouse’s family register (戸籍謄本) showing the marriage. If you are married to a permanent resident instead, the matching status is Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等). This guide doesn’t cover it.

How do you apply?

There are two common routes.

The certificate of eligibility is free. ISA’s standard processing period is 1 to 3 months, and it does not accept applications by post.

If you are in Japan and no longer doing the activities of your old status (for example, you left the job your work visa covered), ISA says to apply for the change promptly. Staying without doing your status’s activities can lead to cancellation.

What documents do you need?

ISA’s list for a certificate of eligibility includes:

• the application form and one photo
• your Japanese spouse’s family register (戸籍謄本) showing the marriage. If it isn’t recorded yet, add a certificate of acceptance of the marriage notification (婚姻届受理証明書)
• a marriage certificate issued by your own country
• proof of living costs: the last year’s resident tax certificates (課税証明書 and 納税証明書) of whoever supports you. If these don’t show it (for example, your spouse just moved back to Japan), bank book copies or a Japanese job offer letter
• a guarantor letter (身元保証書) signed by your Japanese spouse living in Japan
• your spouse’s household residence record (住民票), without My Number (個人番号)
• a questionnaire (質問書) about your relationship
• 2 to 3 snapshot photos of you together, not edited with apps; you can add social media records or call logs
• a return envelope with postage for registered mail

Certificates issued in Japan must be dated within 3 months. Documents in another language need a Japanese translation.

For a change of status inside Japan, the list is similar, and you also show your passport and residence card.

Can you work on a spouse visa?

You don’t need a separate work permit, and there is no weekly hours cap.

How long is the spouse visa, and how do you renew it?

ISA grants 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months. You renew from 3 months before expiry. Renewal documents include your spouse’s family register, resident tax certificates (your own if you support yourself), a new guarantor letter and your spouse’s residence record.

From October 1, 2026, the counter fee depends on the period granted: for example ¥33,000 for 1 year, ¥64,000 for 3 years and ¥75,000 for 5 years. See our visa renewal guide for the full table and the cheaper online fees.

What happens if you divorce or your spouse dies?

You must file a notification regarding your spouse (配偶者に関する届出) within 14 days. You can file it online through ISA’s electronic notification system at any time, at an immigration office with your residence card, or by post to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau. No supporting documents are needed.

The law also has a 6-month rule. If you hold the spouse status but have not lived as a spouse for 6 months or more without a justifiable reason, ISA can cancel your status (Immigration Act Article 22-4). Before it does, the law requires ISA to consider giving you the chance to apply for a change of status or permanent residency (永住) (Article 22-5).

How does the spouse visa lead to permanent residency?

Spouses of Japanese nationals have a shorter path to permanent residency. In law, they don’t need to pass the good-conduct and independent-livelihood tests.

You still need taxes, pension and health insurance paid on time, and from October 1, 2026 the PR fee is ¥200,000.

Japanese citizenship is another option. Under the Nationality Act (国籍法, Article 7), a foreign spouse can apply to naturalize after 3 years living in Japan, or after 3 years of marriage and 1 year living in Japan. See the naturalization (帰化) process and permanent residency vs naturalization. Buying a home before PR? See mortgages without permanent residency.