So many documents are required for the spouse visa that it is difficult to obtain them all
When a foreigner already living in Japan and a Japanese citizen (person with Japanese citizenship) get married and apply for a spouse visa, they need to present various documents such as a passport and a family registry certificate.
If you know in advance what documents you need, it will be easier for you to gather them and apply for a spouse visa.
In addition to basic identification, Immigration places strong emphasis on evidence of a genuine marital relationship, so preparing both official documents and personal proofs in advance is essential.
This article gives an overview of what documents you need to apply for a spouse visa.
Keep in mind that Immigration may request additional documents depending on your specific situation, such as proof of remittances, joint bank accounts, or communication records, if they need to verify the authenticity of the marriage.
Documents required of both spouses
These documents are usually required by both the foreign spouse who wish to apply for a spousal visa and the Japanese spouse.
Generally, you will need the following documents:
Documents required of the foreign spouse
Documents required of the foreign spouse who wishes to apply for a spouse visa.
- Application for Change of Residence Status (spouse visa application).
- Questionnaire
- Identity document
- Reply postcard (postcard needed for immigration to contact you by mail during the spouse visa application process)
Documents required of the foreign spouse who wishes to apply for a spouse visa.
Generally, you will need the following documents:
- Passport
- Residence card
- Resume
- Certificate of graduation (a document proving the level of education of the foreign spouse)
- ID photo
- Documents confirming proficiency in the Japanese language
- Marriage certificate from the home country and a Japanese translation (this proves that the couple’s marriage is registered in the home country)
- Certificate of residence tax ・Certificate of tax payment (to confirm income and tax payment)
Documents required of the Japanese spouse
These are the required documents for the husband/wife of a foreign spouse.
Generally, the documents are as follows:
- Certificate of residence
- Certificate of family register (which must show that the couple is married in Japan).
- Certificate of residence tax, certificate of tax payment
- Certificate of employment (If the Japanese spouse works, this is a document issued by the employer)
- Documents about the current job (a copy of the website or something else that shows what profession the Japanese spouse work in)
- Rental agreement (a document that proves that the couple lives in the rented property)
- Certificate of registration of real estate (a document that proves that the couple is the owner of a residential property)
- Photo of the property the couple lived in (a photo that shows the couple actually lives in the property).
- Photos that prove the marital relationship (photos of parents, friends, weddings, travel destinations, etc.)
It is also advisable to attach supplementary evidence such as joint utility bills, rental contracts signed by both spouses, or correspondence showing daily communication, as these can further support the authenticity of the marriage.
Submitting a variety of photos taken over a long period of time is recommended, since it demonstrates that the relationship is genuine and ongoing rather than temporary or staged.
