Eligibility Conditions for the Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa

Spouse of a Japanese National

If you are the spouse of a Japanese national, the marriage must be legally valid under applicable law. Divorced, widowed, or common-law partners are not eligible.

In principle, you are required to be living together with your spouse as a married couple. If you are living separately, you may be suspected of entering into a sham marriage, which can lead to stricter scrutiny during the screening process.

Child of a Japanese National

In addition to legitimate children, acknowledged illegitimate children are also included. At the time of the child's birth, at least one parent must hold Japanese nationality. Alternatively, if the father died before the child's birth, the father must have held Japanese nationality at the time of his death.

For detailed required documents, please refer to Cases where the applicant is a biological child or specially adopted child of a Japanese national (Immigration Services Agency).

Specially Adopted Child of a Japanese National

Special adoption is a form of adoption established by a ruling of the family court, in which the legal parent-child relationship with the biological parents is extinguished and dissolution of the adoptive relationship is not permitted in principle. The child is recorded in family registries under entries such as "eldest son" or "eldest daughter," distinguishing them from general adoptions.

Following the amendment to the Civil Code that took effect in April 2020, the upper age limit for special adoptees has been raised to under 15 years of age (previously under 6 years of age). This system aims to provide a warm and stable family environment for children who have not had the benefit of a nurturing home (Ministry of Justice: "Act Partially Amending the Civil Code (Matters Related to Special Adoption)").

Period of Stay

The period of stay granted will be one of the following: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months.

Types of Application

The main procedures related to the status of residence "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" are as follows:

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility 窶ｦ For those entering Japan from overseas for the first time under this status of residence
• Application for Change of Status of Residence 窶ｦ For those already in Japan under a different status of residence who wish to change to this status
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay 窶ｦ For those who wish to continue staying in Japan under the same status of residence
• Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence 窶ｦ For those who have renounced Japanese nationality, or who are residing in Japan without having gone through landing procedures (e.g., by birth), and who intend to stay for 60 days or more

If there is any change in your family relationship status, please submit an application promptly. If you are not engaged in activities consistent with your status of residence, your status of residence may be revoked.

Required Documents

The required documents vary depending on the type of application and whether the applicant is a "spouse" or a "biological/specially adopted child." Documents issued in Japan must be obtained within 3 months of the submission date. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.

The documents listed below are based on information published by the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency. Additional materials may be requested during the review process. Please check the official pages for the latest forms and requirements: For Spouses ﾂｷ For Biological/Specially Adopted Children.

[For Spouses (Husband / Wife)]

Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New Entry from Overseas)

• Application form for Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)
• Photograph (1 photo, specified format)
• Family register (koseki tohon 窶・full extract) of the Japanese spouse 窶・must include a record of the marriage; if not, attach a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration
• Marriage certificate issued by the applicant's country of nationality (1 copy) 窶・In countries such as South Korea where a family register is issued, a copy of both parties' family registers showing the marriage is also acceptable
• Documents proving financial support for the stay: Certificate of resident tax assessment (or non-assessment) and tax payment certificate for the most recent year, etc. If recently entered Japan: copies of bank passbooks, certificates of scheduled employment, etc.
• Letter of guarantee from the Japanese spouse (1 copy)
• Certificate of residence (jﾅｫminhyo) listing all household members of the Japanese spouse (1 copy) 窶・Individual Number (My Number) may be omitted; no other items may be omitted
• Questionnaire (1 copy)
• Materials confirming the couple's interaction (2窶・ casual photographs clearly showing both individuals 窶・unedited, unfiltered 窶・along with records of SNS exchanges or call history, etc.)
• Return envelope (with stamps for registered mail)

Application for Change of Status of Residence (Changing from Another Status)

• Application form for Change of Status of Residence, photograph
• Family register (koseki tohon 窶・full extract) of the Japanese spouse 窶・must include record of marriage, issued within 3 months
• Marriage certificate issued by the applicant's country of nationality
• Documents proving financial support (resident tax certificate, tax payment certificate, etc., issued within 3 months)
• Letter of guarantee from the Japanese spouse, certificate of residence listing all household members (issued within 3 months)
• Questionnaire, materials confirming the couple's interaction
• Passport and Residence Card (to be presented)

Application for Extension of Period of Stay

• Application form for Extension of Period of Stay, photograph
• Family register (koseki tohon 窶・full extract) of the Japanese spouse 窶・must include record of marriage
• Documents proving financial support (resident tax/tax payment certificate of the financial supporter or applicant)
• Letter of guarantee from the Japanese spouse, certificate of residence listing all household members
• Passport and Residence Card (to be presented)

[For Biological Children / Specially Adopted Children]

Application for Certificate of Eligibility

• Application form for Certificate of Eligibility, photograph
• Family register (koseki tohon) or removed family register (joseki tohon 窶・full extract) of the applicant's parent
• If born in Japan: Certificate of Acceptance of Birth Registration or Certificate of Acceptance of Acknowledgment Registration (issued within 3 months)
• If born overseas: Birth certificate issued by the country of birth, or a certificate related to acknowledgment
• For specially adopted children: Certificate of Acceptance of Special Adoption Registration, or a certified copy of the family court's adoption ruling and certificate of finality
• Documents proving financial support (resident tax/tax payment certificate of the financial supporter; if insufficient, bank passbooks, certificates of scheduled employment, etc.)
• Letter of guarantee (a Japanese national residing in Japan, such as the applicant's parent or adoptive parent)
• Certificate of residence listing all household members (if a minor: the supporter's certificate; if an adult: the cohabitant's certificate) 窶・Individual Number (My Number) may be omitted
• Return envelope

Application for Change of Status of Residence / Application for Extension of Period of Stay

• Application form, photograph
• Family register (koseki tohon) or removed family register (joseki tohon) of the Japanese national (the applicant's parent or adoptive parent)
• Proof of birth, acknowledgment, or special adoption (same as above)
• Documents proving financial support, letter of guarantee, certificate of residence
• Passport and Residence Card (to be presented)

If someone other than the applicant submits the documents, a document proving the identity of the submitter may be required. For details, please contact the Immigration Information Center for Foreign Nationals (TEL: 0570-013904).