2022-05-312022-07-07

The visa for a spouse/child of a Japanese permanent resident can only be applied for by spouses of permanent residents and Special Permanent Residents, as well as children born and continuing to live in Japan.
To obtain such a visa for your family member, you must apply for it separately from your application for permanent residence. Please note that the maximum duration of stay is only 5 years, unlike the for the permanent resident.

Who can obtain the residence status of “spouse/child of a permanent resident"?

Of the available visas (more specifically, statuses of residence) for living in Japan, those eligible for the “spouse/child of a permanent resident" visa are listed below. It is important to note that the “Japanese Spouse/Child" visa is for family members of Japanese-born and naturalized citizens.

• The foreign spouse of a person who has been granted “permanent resident" status
• The foreign spouse of a person who has been granted “special permanent resident" status
• The natural child of a foreign national who has been granted “permanent resident" status*
• The natural child of a foreign national who has been granted “Special Permanent Resident" status*

Only if the applicant is born in Japan and continues to stay in Japan*

Requirements for a spouse

When applying as a husband or wife, the applicant must be legally married in another country or in Japan.
It is also usually stressed that the applicant lives with their partner in cooperation and that they mutually support each other. The visa can be granted even if the couple has separated or has started divorce proceedings, but of course not if the marriage is false.

Requirements for a child born in Japan

If one parent is a permanent resident or a special permanent resident at the time of birth, the child will be granted “spouse/child of a permanent resident" status of residence.

A blood relationship with your parents is also one of the application requirements. Adopted children cannot apply for this visa.

Visa application documents for a spouse/child of a permanent resident

When applying for a new visa for a spouse/child of a permanent resident, different documents may be required, such as a marriage certificate for the spouse and a birth certificate for the child.
Below is a set of application documents divided into two patterns: (1) if a spouse/child is joining from their home country, and (2) if a spouse/child currently has a status of residence.

If the applicant is bringing a spouse/child from another country [Application for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility ]

If you are bringing your spouse/child from another country, you must apply for a certificate of eligibility for resident status. Prepare all documents marked with a circle in the table for your spouse/child, including the certificate application form.

Required documents	Spouse	Child
Application for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility	〇	〇
Photograph (4 cm long x 3 cm wide)	〇	〇
Marriage certificate from the home country/Japanese certificate of acceptance of notification of marriage	〇	―
Photocopy of the birth certificate	―	〇
Photocopy of a tax certificate (or a tax exemption certificate) for individual inhabitant taxes	〇	―
Permanent resident`s certificate of residence	―	〇
Letter of guarantee ※Written by the permanent resident	〇	〇
Questionnaire	〇	〇
Photos of the spouses together※Faces can be easily recognized/not edited	―	〇

If the applicant changes residence status, etc. [Application for Change of Status of Residence]

A spouse/child who currently has a residence status needs a permit for a change of residence status. The application documents are almost the same as when you bring them from another country but note that they must present the passport and residence card.

Required documents	Spouse	Child
Application for permission for a change of status of residence	〇	〇
Passport or Residence Card	〇	〇
Photograph (4 cm long x 3 cm wide)	〇	〇
Marriage certificate from the home country	〇	―
Photocopy of the birth certificate	―	〇
Photocopy of a tax certificate (or a tax exemption certificate) for individual inhabitant taxes	〇	―
Permanent resident`s certificate of residence	―	〇
Letter of guarantee ※Written by the permanent resident	〇	〇
Questionnaire	〇	〇
Photos of the spouses together※Faces can be easily recognized／not edited	―	〇

Permitted length of stay for a spouse/child of a permanent resident

A spouse/child of a permanent resident may stay 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or for an individually determined period. Permanent residents must renew their residence card every 7 years, but spouses and children must apply for renewal in a shorter period of time.
The length of stay of a spouse/child is determined as follows
.

Requirements for the admission of a stay of 1 year or more

The main criterion for determining the length of stay is not the period requested at the time of application, but the family’s living situation. In general, the longest period of residence of 5 years can be applied for in the following cases.

1. The main earner duly fulfills their tax obligations
2. The child is usually under 15 years old (still in compulsory education)
3. The marriage is peaceful and there is a reasonable possibility that they will continue to live together as a couple*

*If the applicant is the husband or wife of a permanent resident, etc.

Cases where only a stay of 1 year or less is allowed

In contrast, in the following cases, only a short stay of one year or less is allowed. In some cases, eligibility is judged by various residency qualifications, such as “designated activities" until departure, or by their career plan and how they plan to apply their skills, humanities knowledge, participate in international affairs, etc.

1. A check is required about once a year* due to your life situation.
2. After your living situation has changed, your current residency status is less than 5 years
3. You are already living separately or in the process of divorce mediation

*A comprehensive judgment is made based on tax obligations, family structure, marital relations, etc.

Conclusion│Summary of a visa for a spouse/child of a permanent resident

The residence status of “Spouse/child of a permanent resident" status of residence applies to spouses and children who are family members of permanent residents and special permanent residents. The assessment takes into account the family situation and the duration of residence is based on the marital relationship or the age of the child.

▼Important points about staying in Japan as a spouse/child of a permanent resident

• The duration of stay is up to 5 years
• The term “child" refers only to natural children born in Japan
• Under certain circumstances, such as divorce, the applicant should consider a different residence status