Spouse Visa Application Service
What Is a Spouse Visa?
OVERVIEW
Foreigners who marry Japanese nationals or permanent residents and wish to live together in Japan need to obtain "Spouse of Japanese National" or "Spouse of Permanent Resident" residence status — commonly called a "spouse visa."
Applicable Residence Status
- Spouse of Japanese National
- Spouse of Permanent Resident
Benefits of Spouse Visa
- ✓No work restrictions (any occupation allowed)
- ✓Relaxed residence requirement for permanent residence (shortest: 3 years of marriage + 1 year in Japan)
Who We Help
Do you have any of these concerns?
Worried that if the application is denied, you won't be able to live together in Japan
Unsure if your situation (age difference, how you met) will be approved
Too many required documents — don't know what to prepare or how
Applied on your own and were denied — don't know what went wrong
We carefully listen to your situation and propose the best application strategy. If denied, we will rewrite the reason statement and re-apply at no extra cost.
Why Our Office Is Chosen
SELECTED REASONS
No Retainer Fee · Full Post-Payment
While 30-50% retainer fees are standard in the industry, our office requires no retainer fee. Payment is due only after the application is filed with immigration. Our policy is to avoid placing financial risk on our clients.
Thoughtful Pre-Consultation
Before accepting your case, we listen carefully to your situation and share an honest assessment of approval likelihood. We prioritize providing the best information for your decision rather than simply taking cases for fees.
Free Re-application If Denied
If your application is denied, we will rewrite the reason statement and re-apply at no extra cost. We are committed to honest support that minimizes your risk.
3 Requirements for Spouse Visa
REQUIREMENTS
Immigration review mainly verifies the following three points. How you substantiate each determines approval or denial.
Substance of Marriage
Legal marriage alone is not enough — the reality of married life together is required. Co-residence, shared living expenses, communication history, and similar facts must be demonstrated through documents and evidence.
Stable Economic Foundation
Income, assets, and employment prospects for a stable life in Japan are reviewed. Assessment considers not only the applicant but also the Japanese spouse and guarantor's financial situation comprehensively.
Fulfillment of Public Obligations
Fulfillment of tax obligations (resident tax, etc.) and reporting obligations under the Immigration Control Act is verified. Particularly important for renewal applications.
Which case applies to you? 3 application types
APPLICATION TYPES
Depending on your situation, there are three application types.
Bringing Spouse from Abroad
For those wishing to bring their spouse from overseas to Japan
The Japanese spouse applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) → Visa obtained at embassy abroad → Entry into Japan
審査期間
Approx. 100days
Visa Switch
For those already in Japan switching to a spouse visa upon marriage
Apply for a status change from current visa (student, work, etc.) to "Spouse of Japanese National"
* Change from short-stay (tourism) visa is generally not permitted
審査期間
Approx. 50days
Period Extension
For those wishing to extend their current spouse visa period
Can be filed from 3 months before visa expiration
審査期間
Approx. 45days
* Processing periods are from Immigration Services Agency published data (nationwide average as of January 2026). Tokyo Immigration jurisdiction may take longer.
Key Required Documents
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Documents from Japanese Spouse
- Family register (showing marriage)
- Residence certificate (whole household)
- Resident tax certificate / Tax payment certificate
- Letter of guarantee
- Certificate of employment
Documents from Foreign Spouse
- Passport copy
- Photograph
- Foreign marriage certificate (with Japanese translation)
Additional Documents by Immigration
- Questionnaire (8 pages)
- Statement of marriage circumstances
- Evidence of relationship (photos, call records, travel records, etc.)
* Details vary by application type (COE / change / renewal). Individual cases will be discussed in the free consultation.
Tell us about your situation in a free 60-minute consultation
Book Free Spouse Visa ConsultationService Flow
SERVICE FLOW
Free Consultation
Contact us (email, phone) → Free consultation
- Hearing about your situation (dating history, marriage procedure status)
- If marriage not yet completed → International marriage procedure support
- Approval assessment → Quote
Contract & Document Preparation
Contract (no retainer fee) → Document checklist
- Dating evidence preparation (photos, communication records, travel records)
- Application documents (questionnaire, guarantor form, statement of reasons) → Client review
Immigration Submission
Submit application to immigration bureau
- Handle additional document requests during review
- Payment (pay after submission only)
Approval
Approval notice → Residence card pickup
5 Cases Prone to Denial
DENIAL CASES
Falling into one of these does not necessarily mean denial. At our office, we have obtained approvals in these cases through careful substantiation.
Extremely Short Courtship Period
Issue
Short period from meeting to marriage raises suspicion of sham marriage.
Our Approach
We substantiate the reality of courtship (contact frequency, evidence of meetings, how relatives were informed) chronologically.
Large Age Difference (10+ years)
Issue
Large age gaps lead to strict scrutiny of the naturalness of the relationship.
Our Approach
We concretely demonstrate how you met, shared values, common interests, etc. to dispel any impression of unnaturalness.
Past Immigration Law Violations
Issue
History of overstay or deportation leads to stricter review.
Our Approach
We demonstrate reflection and recurrence prevention, and strongly show the authenticity of the current marriage.
Unstable Income
Issue
Part-time only, unemployment, or recent job change raises questions about economic foundation.
Our Approach
We build a structure supplemented by savings, guarantor income, and employment plans.
Document Inconsistencies
Issue
Inconsistencies between questionnaire, passport travel history, SNS records, etc. are fatal.
Our Approach
We cross-check all documents before filing to ensure consistency, and add explanatory documents in advance if contradictions exist.
Plans & Pricing
PLANS & PRICING
Light
¥55,000〜
Document support for DIY applicants
- ✓Eligibility assessment · document checklist
- ✓Application document review
- ✓Email / phone consultation (up to 3 times)
- ✓Free reapplication if denied
Standard
¥99,000〜
From document prep to submission
- ✓All Light features
- ✓Application document preparation
- ✓Statement of reasons
- ✓Submission to Immigration on your behalf
- ✓Additional document handling
- ✓Unlimited email / phone consultation
- ✓Free reapplication if denied
Full Support
¥132,000〜
Complete service from document collection to result pickup
- ✓All Standard features
- ✓Domestic document collection
- ✓Result pickup on your behalf
- ✓Free reapplication if denied
Pricing by Application Type (tax included)
| Application Type | Light | Standard | Full Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| COE (Bringing spouse from abroad) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Status Change (Student / Work → Spouse) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Renewal (Post-divorce settlement, etc.) | ¥55,000 | ¥99,000 | ¥132,000 |
| Renewal (Standard) | ¥27,500 | ¥44,000 | ¥55,000 |
Optional Services
- International marriage procedure support¥66,000
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication¥27,500
- Embassy authentication¥27,500
Additional Fees
- Reapplication after denial+¥27,500
- History of voluntary departure+¥55,000
- History of deportation+¥165,000
* All prices include tax
* No retainer fee required. Payment is due after submission to Immigration
* Free reapplication if your application is denied
Our Guarantee System
GUARANTEE
We have absolute confidence in our spouse visa application services, but we have prepared a guarantee system for the unlikely event.
Free Reapplication Guarantee
In the unlikely event that your spouse visa application is denied, we will reapply free of charge.
* The guarantee system applies to Full Support and Standard plans
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
About Review & Approval
Q. How long does the spouse visa application take?+
A. Per Immigration Services Agency nationwide averages (January 2026): COE application ~100 days (about 3+ months), status change ~50 days (about 2 months), renewal ~45 days (about 1.5 months). Tokyo Immigration jurisdiction tends to take longer than the average.
Q. How much income is required?+
A. No specific amount is publicly disclosed by Immigration. They assess comprehensively based on household income, savings, real estate assets, employment plans, etc. Even with low income, savings or proof of future employment can supplement the case.
Q. Can I work with a spouse visa?+
A. Yes. Spouse visas have no work restrictions — any job is permitted. Full-time, part-time, contract, or self-employed all possible.
Q. Can I apply while engaged (before marriage)?+
A. No. A spouse visa requires legal marriage to be established. Please complete marriage procedures in both Japan and your home country before applying.
Q. Can I be approved despite an age difference?+
A. An age difference alone does not cause denial. However, differences over 10 years (or over 20 years) tend to lead to stricter review, so it is important to carefully substantiate the reality of the relationship.
About Period & Procedures
Q. How can I obtain 3-year or 5-year residence period?+
A. Decisions follow the examination guidelines. To obtain 5 years: more than 3 years of cohabitation after marriage, full compliance with reporting/public/tax obligations, etc. The first issuance is often 1 year, then extended over renewals.
Q. What happens to my spouse visa if I divorce?+
A. You will no longer qualify for the spouse visa residence status. You need to consider changing to another status such as "Long-Term Resident," and have a 14-day notification obligation to Immigration.
Q. Can I renew if we live apart?+
A. Cohabitation is required in principle, but there is room for approval if there is a reasonable reason (job assignment away from home, medical treatment, etc.). Preparing documents explaining the reason is crucial.
Q. When can I apply for permanent residence from a spouse visa?+
A. For spouses of Japanese nationals: 3 years of marriage + continuous 1-year residence in Japan satisfies the residence requirement. However, other requirements such as tax, pension, and health insurance payment status must also all be met.
About Services & Inquiries
Q. Can you help if I applied myself and was denied?+
A. Yes. We analyze the denial reasons and redesign the substantiation strategy for reapplication. Our office handles reapplication after denial (additional fee: +¥27,500).
Q. When do I pay?+
A. No retainer fee required. Full post-payment after the application is filed with Immigration. If denied, we will rewrite the reason statement and re-apply at no extra cost.
Q. Can I just consult without committing?+
A. Yes. The first 60 minutes are completely free. Consultation not premised on commissioning is welcome. No sales follow-up after consultation.
Q. Can you handle cases nationwide? I live far from your office.+
A. Yes. We support clients from anywhere in Japan online. Meetings via Zoom or Google Meet, documents exchanged by mail / PDF. No office visit required.
Q. How are you different from other administrative scriveners?+
A. Three main differences: ① No retainer fee / full post-payment, ② Thoughtful pre-consultation with honest approval-likelihood assessment, ③ Free re-application if denied. All are rare in the industry.
Q. Anything to be especially careful about for Philippine marriages?+
A. The Philippines has no divorce system, so remarriage requires an Annulment. Philippine-specific procedures like DFA authentication (red ribbon / apostille) of PSA documents and CENOMAR are also required. Our representative has expertise in Philippine matters from the Jeepney (Philippine desk) background.
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