2025-08-14

An application for Certificate of Eligibility (Spouse Visa) is a document that a foreigner applies for when he/she marries a Japanese national and stays in Japan. Here are some specific examples of how to fill out this application form.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility (Spouse Visa)?

An application for issuance of a certificate of eligibility is a document that a foreigner planning to stay in Japan applies for in order to obtain permission to engage in certain activities. It is not intended for tourists, but for foreigners who plan to stay in Japan for medium to long term in order to work or live as a family member in Japan.

A spouse visa is a status of residence that a foreigner residing in Japan can obtain if he/she marries a Japanese national. The official name of this visa is “Status of Residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National”. This status also includes those who are specially adopted by a Japanese national and those who are born to a Japanese national.

Screening Criteria

Spouse visa will be screened based on the contents of the application and required documents. If the screening criteria are met, the status of residence will be granted. Generally, the period of stay granted on the first application is 6 months or 1 year.

The reason for such a short period of time is that the intention is that after 6 months or 1 year, the Immigration Bureau will again examine the authenticity and continuity of the marriage and the stability of the couple’s income.

Example of Application Form

The application form for Certificate of Eligibility (Spouse Visa) should contain the following information.

1. Nationality and Region
   Enter the nationality of the foreign national (applicant). If the applicant is from Taiwan or Hong Kong, enter “Taiwan” or “Hong Kong” in the region name.
2. Date of Birth
   Enter the applicant’s date of birth in the Western calendar. Japanese calendar, religious calendar, and the calendar of each country are not acceptable.
3. Name
   Enter the name as it appears on the passport in alphabetical characters. If you are from China, Korea, or Taiwan, please write your name in Chinese characters.
4. Gender
   Circle the gender.
5. Place of birth
   Enter the name of the country and city where the applicant was born. 6.
6. Marital status
   Circle “Yes”.
7. Occupation
   Enter the applicant’s occupation before entering Japan. If unemployed, enter “None” or “Student”.
8. Place of Residence in Home Country
   Enter the name of the applicant’s home country and the city where the applicant lived.
9. Contact Information in Japan
   Enter the contact information in Japan (address and telephone number of the Japanese spouse). Enter the address as it appears on the residence certificate.
10. passport
    Enter the “passport number” and “expiration date” as shown in the passport on the application form.
11. purpose of entry into Japan
    Please check ☑ for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.
12. Expected Date of Entry
    Enter the expected date of entry.
13. Port of landing
    Enter the name of the airport or seaport where you plan to arrive.
14. Expected Period of Stay
    Enter your expected period of stay in Japan. If you do not plan to leave Japan, enter “Permanent Residence” or “Unlimited Period of Stay”.
15. presence of accompanying persons
    Circle “Yes” if the applicant is entering Japan with children or other family members. If the applicant is entering the country alone, circle “No”.
16. place of visa application
    Enter the location of the Japanese embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for visa (name of country and city)
17. If you have entered Japan before, circle “Yes” and enter the number of times you have entered Japan and your most recent period of stay at
    . If this is your first time entering Japan, circle “No” and enter the number of times you have entered Japan and the most recent period of time you have been in Japan. If this is your first time, circle “No”.
18. criminal record
    If you have a criminal record in Japan or abroad and have been convicted of a crime, circle “Yes” and indicate the crime and sentence. If not, circle “No”.
19. Departure from Japan by Deportation or Departure Order
    If you have departed from Japan by deportation or departure order, circle “Yes” and enter the total number of times you have departed from Japan and your most recent history of deportation (departure history). If not, circle “No.” 20.
20. Relatives in Japan and those living with the applicant
    Circle “Yes” and enter “Relationship”, “Name”, “Date of Birth”, ‘Nationality’, “Living together”, and “Place of Work/School” in the box below for the Japanese spouse. If the applicant has relatives living in Japan, etc., they are also required to fill in this information.

Summary

It is obvious that false information on the application form is not acceptable. Even if your application is approved and you obtain status of residence with a false entry, it may cause inconvenience in the future, such as not being approved when you reapply. If you do not know how to fill in the form, please ask the person in charge at the Immigration Bureau.