2025-05-21

If you wish to obtain a spouse visa, you must submit an application form and the required documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office. However, it may be advantageous to submit a “petition” outlining the circumstances of the couple’s encounter, relationship, and marriage. Here, we will explain the petition with examples. Please note that a petition may also be referred to as a “statement of reasons,” but here it will be referred to as a petition.

What is a spouse visa?

A “spouse visa” is literally a status of residence that a foreigner residing in Japan can obtain if he or she marries a Japanese national and becomes the spouse.

The official name of this visa is “Status of Residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National, etc.” However, since the explanation here is about a foreigner residing in Japan who married a Japanese national, it will be referred to as a “Spouse Visa” for convenience.

What is a Letter of Reason?

To obtain a “spouse visa,” an applicant must submit an application and necessary documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, and obtain permission.

Required documents include a copy of the Japanese spouse’s family register, documents proving the cost of the stay in Japan, a letter of guarantee from the Japanese spouse, a certificate of residence showing all members of the Japanese spouse’s household, and a questionnaire.

In addition, although not required, a “Statement of Reasons for Application” or “Petition” (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Petition” for convenience) is often submitted. This “petition” will contain more detailed information than the above mentioned submittals, which may give you a better chance of being considered.

The most important point at the stage of receiving and reviewing applications and submissions is whether their marriage is a “sham marriage” or not.

A spouse visa allows a person to stay in Japan for an unlimited period of time, and there are basically no restrictions on the work that the person can do. Because this is such an attractive visa status, not a few people try to obtain a “spouse visa” by submitting marriage notification even though they are not actually married. The examining authority tries to know as much information as possible about the couple. In this case, a “petition” is a useful reference.

There are no specific rules regarding the format or content of the “petition.” In general, it is easier to read and more persuasive to describe in detail how you met your spouse, how you got together and married, your future life, etc.

Example of a petition

I came to Japan in ●● year ●● and started working at ●● company. At the same workplace, I met Ms. A, who later became my wife. Whenever I had a question about my job, I would ask Mrs. A and we gradually became close friends. Gradually, we became attracted to each other, and we started dating around the same month in the same year, about a year after I joined the company.

Around the same time, I asked Mr. A to marry me, and he readily accepted, and soon after we went to greet his parents. A few months later, my parents decided to come to Japan, and they met with Mr. A and his parents. My parents also gave their consent to our marriage, and we had our wedding ceremony at …….

Currently, Mr. A and I both work for the same company, but upon our marriage, I was transferred to the ● section. We live in a rented apartment in ● (rent: ● yen). Our combined annual income is currently ¥10,000,000. We plan to continue working together even after the birth of our child.

Conclusion

There are no particular rules regarding the format of the petition or the content that should be included. However, it is important to be concise and easy to understand for the person in charge. By doing so, you will increase the likelihood that the examination will be favorable.