Spouse Visa
Application Support

It is a status of residence for foreign nationals who are legally married to a Japanese national or a permanent resident, allowing them to live stably in Japan. The screening examines the substance of the marriage and the couple’s ability to support themselves financially — being legally married alone is not sufficient for approval.

The basic screening criteria are the same, but for the latter, the permanent resident spouse’s tax payment history and stability of residence are examined more closely. It is not a simple substitution of criteria but a comprehensive assessment.

If the courtship period was short, the genuineness of the marriage will be scrutinized more closely. It is important to explain the timeline from how you met to your marriage, and to support this with objective evidence such as photographs and a record of communication.

An age difference alone will not result in denial, but it will lead to closer scrutiny. It is important to carefully explain the reasonable circumstances that led to your marriage.

There is no officially stated threshold, but the household needs income sufficient to live stably. As a general guideline, around 3 million yen is often cited as one benchmark, although the number of dependents and other factors are also taken into account.

Yes, this is possible, but the continuity of your employment and your future income prospects are important. You should submit documents showing your contract term, work record, and projected future income to reinforce the stability of your situation.

As a general rule, you must demonstrate the ability to support yourself financially. If you are unemployed, you need to show specifically that a sustainable livelihood is possible — for example, through support from a cohabiting family member or sufficient savings.

You can still apply, but approval becomes considerably more difficult. You will need to explain in detail the circumstances of the violation, your reflection on it, and your current living situation, and prepare your documents carefully.

No. The genuineness of the marriage and a stable living foundation must both be recognized. Marriages that appear to be in name only, or applications with insufficient documentation, can be denied.

It is common to submit around 10 to 20 photographs taken at different points in time. Photos that include family members or friends can help reinforce the genuineness of the marriage.

As a general rule, the couple is expected to live together. If there is a reasonable reason for living apart, such as work or childbirth, you need to attach supporting documents that clearly explain your actual living situation.

Yes. As long as the marriage is legally valid under both local law and Japanese law, you can apply. You will need to submit a marriage certificate along with a Japanese translation.

Yes, as long as you attach a Japanese translation along with the original. Depending on the issuing country, additional documents may also be requested.

It usually takes about one to three months, though this can vary depending on the details of your case, the region, and whether additional documents are requested. During busy periods it may take even longer.

The most common reasons include insufficient evidence of a genuine marriage, insufficient income, unpaid taxes, and inconsistencies in documentation. Inconsistencies in the timeline of events are scrutinized especially closely.

You should first confirm the reason for the denial, reinforce the weak points, and then consider reapplying. Reapplying without making improvements risks another denial.

Yes, there are no work restrictions. You may work in any occupation and for any number of hours, and both full-time employment and self-employment are permitted.

You will be granted a period of stay of either one, three, or five years, determined based on the length and stability of the marriage. For a first-time application, one year is common.

As a general rule, you will need to change your status of residence. Depending on the circumstances, a change to Long-Term Resident status may be approved.

Yes, if certain requirements are met, children can be brought over under a Dependent visa or similar status. Your ability to support them and your parental custody relationship will need to be confirmed.

You should apply for an extension of your period of stay as soon as possible. If you file the application lawfully before your period of stay expires, you may continue to stay in Japan under a special extension period until a decision is made.

As a general guideline, having been married for at least three years and having resided in Japan for at least one year is one benchmark. A stable track record of living in Japan is also an important factor in the assessment.

Japanese language ability itself is not a requirement, but being able to communicate with your spouse is an important factor in the assessment.

Yes, it is possible, but the structure of your letter of reasons and the consistency of your supporting documents can affect the outcome. If you have any concerns, consulting a specialist is advisable.

Through risk analysis, drafting the letter of reasons, and organizing supporting documents, we can help eliminate potential causes of denial before you file. As a result, you can expect a greater likelihood of approval.