Spouse or Child of Japanese National - Required Documents
The Spouse or Child of Japanese National status of residence can be obtained by the spouse of a Japanese national, a specially adopted child of a Japanese national, or a person born as a child of a Japanese national. This status of residence has no restrictions on employment.
| Eligible Persons | Spouse, specially adopted child, or person born as a child of a Japanese national |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months |
Required Documents by Application Type
- Certificate of Eligibility Application (New)
- Change of Status of Residence Application
- Extension of Period of Stay Application
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about how to fill out application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in screening or denial of permission.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- Submitted documents will not be returned in principle. If you wish to have them returned, please notify the counter at the time of application.
- Additional documents may be requested during the screening process.
When the Applicant is a Spouse of a Japanese National
The documents listed below apply when the applicant is the spouse (husband or wife) of a Japanese national. If the applicant is a child of a Japanese national, please refer to the section below.
Certificate of Eligibility Application (New)
This application is for those who wish to newly enter Japan under this status of residence.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), a clear photo taken from the front with no hat and no background, taken within 6 months prior to the application. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form. Printing the photo directly in the photo section is also acceptable, but re-submission may be required if it does not meet the specifications.
3. Family Register (Koseki Tohon) of the Japanese spouse (full certified copy) - 1 copy
The document must show the marriage to the applicant. If the marriage is not recorded, a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration must be submitted together with the family register.
4. Marriage certificate issued by the authority of the applicant’s country of nationality - 1 copy
If the applicant holds a nationality (such as Korean) where a family register is issued, a family register issued by the foreign authority showing the marriage of both parties may be submitted instead.
5. Documents proving the ability to cover living expenses in Japan
(1) Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year for the person covering the applicant’s living expenses - 1 copy each
The document must show the total income and tax payment status for the year. It is issued by the ward/city/town office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate shows both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
(2) If the above documents are insufficient to prove financial ability (e.g., immediately after entering Japan, relocation, etc.):
- a. Copy of bank passbook (screenshots of online banking are also acceptable, provided they are printed in an uneditable format; Excel files, etc. are not accepted)
- b. Certificate of expected employment or job offer letter (issued by a Japanese company)
- c. Other equivalent documents
6. Letter of Guarantee from the Japanese spouse - 1 copy
The guarantor is the spouse (Japanese national) residing in Japan.
Letter of Guarantee form (PDF) / Letter of Guarantee form (English, PDF)
7. Copy of Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo) of the Japanese spouse listing all household members - 1 copy
Submit a copy that omits the Individual Number (My Number) but includes all other information without omission.
8. Questionnaire - 1 copy
Questionnaire forms in multiple languages
| Language | Download |
|---|---|
| Japanese | |
| English | |
| Chinese (Simplified) | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | |
| Korean | |
| Spanish | |
| Portuguese | |
| Thai | |
| Tagalog | |
| Vietnamese | |
| Indonesian |
9. Documents confirming interaction between the couple
- 2~3 snapshot photos (photos of the couple together where faces are clearly visible; app editing not allowed)
- Other: SNS records, call records, etc.
10. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
If someone other than the applicant submits the application documents, the person submitting must present identification documents (family register, etc.).
If the name on the Certificate of Eligibility differs from the name in the passport, the procedures up to entry may take additional time. If possible, please also submit a copy of the passport.
Change of Status of Residence Application
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan under a different status of residence and wish to change to this status. If you are no longer engaged in the activities corresponding to your current status of residence and your personal circumstances have already changed, please apply promptly. If you are not engaged in activities based on your current status of residence, your status may be revoked.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), a clear photo taken from the front with no hat and no background, taken within 6 months prior to the application. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Family Register (Koseki Tohon) of the Japanese spouse (full certified copy) - 1 copy
The document must show the marriage to the applicant. If the marriage is not recorded, a Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage Registration must be submitted together with the family register.
4. Marriage certificate issued by the authority of the applicant’s country of nationality - 1 copy
If the applicant holds a nationality (such as Korean) where a family register is issued, a family register issued by the foreign authority showing the marriage of both parties may be submitted instead.
5. Documents proving the ability to cover living expenses in Japan
Same as No. 5 of the new application.
6. Letter of Guarantee from the Japanese spouse - 1 copy
The guarantor is the spouse (Japanese national) residing in Japan.
Letter of Guarantee form (PDF) / Letter of Guarantee form (English, PDF)
7. Copy of Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo) of the Japanese spouse listing all household members - 1 copy
Submit a copy that omits the Individual Number (My Number) but includes all other information without omission.
8. Questionnaire - 1 copy
Questionnaire forms in multiple languages
| Language | Download |
|---|---|
| Japanese | |
| English | |
| Chinese (Simplified) | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | |
| Korean | |
| Spanish | |
| Portuguese | |
| Thai | |
| Tagalog | |
| Vietnamese | |
| Indonesian |
9. Documents confirming interaction between the couple
- 2~3 snapshot photos (photos of the couple together where faces are clearly visible; app editing not allowed)
- Other: SNS records, call records, etc.
Passport and Residence Card --- Must be presented at the time of application. Presentation is required even when someone other than the applicant submits the documents.
If someone other than the applicant submits the application documents, the person submitting must present identification documents (family register, etc.).
Extension of Period of Stay Application
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan under the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status of residence and wish to continue their stay based on that personal relationship.
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), a clear photo taken from the front with no hat and no background, taken within 6 months prior to the application. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Family Register (Koseki Tohon) of the Japanese spouse (full certified copy) - 1 copy
The document must show the marriage to the applicant.
4. Documents proving the ability to cover living expenses in Japan
(1) Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate for the most recent year for the person covering the applicant’s living expenses - 1 copy each
The document must show the total income and tax payment status for the year. It is issued by the ward/city/town office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate shows both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
If the applicant covers their own living expenses, submit the applicant’s own residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate.
(2) If the above documents are insufficient to prove financial ability (e.g., immediately after entering Japan, relocation, etc.):
- a. Copy of bank passbook (screenshots of online banking are also acceptable, provided they are printed in an uneditable format)
- b. Certificate of expected employment or job offer letter (issued by a Japanese company)
- c. Other equivalent documents
5. Letter of Guarantee from the Japanese spouse - 1 copy
The guarantor is the spouse (Japanese national) residing in Japan.
Letter of Guarantee form (PDF) / Letter of Guarantee form (English, PDF)
6. Copy of Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo) of the Japanese spouse listing all household members - 1 copy
Submit a copy that omits the Individual Number (My Number) but includes all other information without omission.
Passport and Residence Card --- Must be presented at the time of application. Presentation is required even when someone other than the applicant submits the documents.
If someone other than the applicant submits the application documents, the person submitting must present identification documents (certificate of authorized representative, family register, etc.).
When the Applicant is a Child of a Japanese National
When a person born as a child of a Japanese national applies, separate documents are required.
For details, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency website.
In Case of Divorce or Death of Spouse
If you divorce or your Japanese spouse passes away, you must file a notification regarding your spouse with the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of becoming aware of the fact.
After divorce or death of spouse, extension of the status of residence is not possible, and you must consider the following options:
- Change to Long-Term Resident --- If certain conditions are met
- Change to another status of residence --- Employment, etc.
- Return to home country
Document Checklists
| Application Type | Download |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility Application (New) | |
| Change of Status of Residence Application | |
| Extension of Period of Stay Application | |
| Acquisition of Status of Residence Application |
Reference Links
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