2025-10-16

Foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens can obtain a “Spouse Visa” status of residence. However, this status has a validity period, so renewal procedures must be completed before it expires. How long does the review period typically take in this case?

What is a Spouse Visa?

A “spouse visa” refers to the status of residence that a foreign national residing in Japan can obtain upon marrying a Japanese spouse.

Note that “spouse visa” is not the official name. The precise term is “Status of Residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” However, since this explanation covers cases where a foreign national residing in Japan marries a Japanese spouse, we will use the common term “spouse visa.”

Renewal of Spouse Visa

Renewal of a “Spouse Visa” can be applied for at the Immigration Services Agency office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s address starting from three months prior to the expiration of the current period of stay.

If renewal is approved, the new “Spouse Visa” period of stay will be either “6 months,” “1 year,” “3 years,” or “5 years.” The Immigration Services Agency’s criteria for determining each period are as follows:

“6-Month Period of Stay”

When any of the following conditions ① to ③ apply:

① Divorce mediation or divorce litigation is underway (excluding cases where both spouses have no intention to continue the marriage and no future activities as spouses are anticipated).
② One spouse has clearly expressed intent to divorce.
③ The planned period of stay is 6 months or less.

“1-year period of stay”

Applies if any of the following conditions ① to ④ are met:

① The applicant has been granted a 3-year period of stay, and at the time of renewal, does not meet any of conditions ① to ④ for a 5-year period of stay.
② Based on marital circumstances such as family composition or duration of marriage, it is necessary to confirm the continuity of the marriage and life based on spousal status once per year.
③ Based on the status of residence or other circumstances, it is necessary to confirm the situation once per year.
④ The planned period of stay is between 6 months and 1 year.

“3-Year Period of Stay”

When any of the following ① to ② apply:

① When a 5-year period of stay has been granted, and at the time of renewal, both of the following a and b apply:

a) The applicant does not fall under any of ① to ④ for a 5-year period of stay
b) Based on family composition, duration of marriage, or other marital circumstances, it is anticipated that the life based on the marriage and the spouse’s status will continue

② When none of the 5-year, 1-year, or 6-month criteria apply

“Period of Stay: 5 Years”

When all of the following criteria ① to ⑤ apply:

① The applicant has fulfilled all notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act (e.g., notification of residence, change of residence, change of affiliated organization)
② The applicant has fulfilled various public obligations
③ The applicant is a parent with a child of compulsory education age, and the child is attending elementary or junior high school (including international schools).

④ The primary breadwinner has fulfilled their tax obligations.
⑤ Based on family composition, marriage duration, and other marital circumstances, it is expected that the life based on the marriage and the spouse’s status will continue (limited to cases where the period of cohabitation after marriage exceeds 3 years).

The documents required for renewal are as follows:

① Application for Extension of Period of Stay (1 copy)

② Photograph (1 piece)
③ Family Register Extract (Certificate of All Matters) of the Japanese spouse (1 copy)
④ Documentation proving means of support in Japan

(1) For the person covering the applicant’s living expenses:

• Resident tax assessment (or non-assessment) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year (showing total annual income and tax payment status) (1 copy each)

(2) If the above (1) cannot prove living expenses, submit the following documents, etc.:

a) Copy of bank passbook (as appropriate)
b) Letter of Employment Offer or Job Offer Letter (issued by a Japanese company) (as appropriate)
c) Equivalent documents (as appropriate)

⑤ Affidavit of Support from Spouse (Japanese National) (1 copy)
⑥ Copy of Family Register (Jūminhyō) listing all household members of Spouse (Japanese National) (1 copy)
⑦ Passport (presentation required)
⑧ Residence Card (presentation required)

How long does the review period for renewal take?

The standard processing period for renewing a “Spouse Visa” is approximately 2 weeks to 1 month. However, depending on the application details, results may come sooner or take longer.

Note that generally, when renewing a status of residence, the Immigration Services Agency will thoroughly investigate any points it finds questionable. Consequently, the renewal process for a “Spouse Visa” may sometimes take over one month. Therefore, ensure all required documents are complete and accurate before submission.

Summary

The standard processing period for renewing a “Spouse Visa” is approximately two weeks to one month. However, depending on the specifics of the application, this period may vary slightly.