For those who are entering an international marriage with a Japanese national in Hiroshima
When marrying a Japanese national, the visa to consider is the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status (“Spouse of Japanese Visa”). Once you obtain a spouse visa, your life in Japan becomes more stable, you can work in any occupation without restrictions, and you will also become eligible to apply for permanent residency in the future.This greatly expands your freedom and stability in daily life.Our office, as an immigration-specialized Gyoseishoshi based in Hiroshima, has extensive experience supporting spouse visa applications in line with the latest screening standards. We provide comprehensive support to ensure your international marriage procedures are handled with full reliability.
The “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” visa is a status based on personal relationship and social standing. It is the visa considered when a foreign national marries a Japanese citizen and wishes to live in Japan. In practical terms, this applies to cases such as “I want to obtain a visa for my foreign wife because we got married,” or the reverse situation, “I want to obtain a visa for my foreign husband.” While international marriage itself can always be completed as a legal procedure, obtaining a Spouse of Japanese Visa is not automatically guaranteed just because you are married. For the two of you to live together in Japan, you must submit sufficient documentation to demonstrate that your marriage is genuine and based on a real, ongoing relationship. Proper preparation of evidence and documents is essential for a successful application.
The Family Stay Visa is a status of residence designed for foreign nationals residing in Japan with an eligible work‑related visa, allowing them to bring their dependent spouse or children from their home country to live with them in Japan.
The spouse or child must be under the support of the main visa holder.For the spouse, this generally means living together and being economically dependent on the supporter.
For children, it requires that they are under the supporter’s care and upbringing.
Required Documents for the Spouse of Japanese Visa
| Required Documents | Certificate of Eligibility Application (COE) | Application for Change of Status of Residence | Application for Extension of Period of Stay | Explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Sheet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Use the designated Immigration form. |
| Photo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 4cm × 3cm, taken within 6 months, front-facing, no hat, plain background. |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | For identity verification and confirmation of residence status. |
| Residence Card | - | ✔ | ✔ | Same purpose as above. |
| Marriage Certificate issued by the applicant’s home country | ✔ | ✔ | - | Obtainable from the relevant authority in the applicant’s home country. |
| Japanese spouse’s Family Register (Koseki Tohon) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Must show the marriage with the applicant. |
| Japanese spouse’s Resident Record (Juminhyo) listing all household members | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Used to confirm cohabitation, which is generally required for this visa. |
| Individual Tax Certificates | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Required to prove financial stability and fulfillment of tax obligations in Japan. |
| Documents proving assets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Submit copies of bankbooks, property registry documents, etc. |
| Evidence of communication between the couple (photos, SNS records, etc.) | ✔ | ✔ | - | Photos of the couple together, SNS/chat/call logs showing ongoing communication. |
| Questionnaire | ✔ | ✔ | - | Use the designated Immigration form. Includes questions on personal details, history of the relationship, language used between the couple, wedding details, witnesses, travel history, prior deportation orders, family information, etc. |
| Statement of Reasons | ▲ | ▲ | ▲ | Required when there are special circumstances such as unstable finances, prior immigration violations, remarriage, etc. |
| Letter of Guarantee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Generally, the Japanese spouse residing in Japan serves as the guarantor. |
Required Documents for Dependent Visa
| Required Documents | Certificate of Eligibility Application (COE) | Application for Change of Status of Residence | Application for Extension of Period of Stay | Explanations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Sheet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Use the designated Immigration form. |
| Photo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 4cm × 3cm, taken within 6 months, front-facing, no hat, plain background. |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | For identity verification and confirmation of residence status. |
| Residence Card | ✔ Residence Card of the Sponsor | ✔ | ✔ | Same purpose as above. |
| Documents proving the family relationship | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Family Register (Koseki), Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage, Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, etc., proving the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. |
| Documents proving the sponsor’s occupation and income | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Company employee: Employment certificate Business owner: Copy of tax return, etc. |
| Individual Tax Certificates | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Issued by the municipality where the applicant lived on January 1. |
For more details, please refer to the blog article below.
Immigration Lawyer focusing exclusively on visas, permanent residency, and naturalization.
We stay fully updated on examination trends and the latest legal revisions, enabling us to propose the most effective strategies to increase your chances of approval.
If the foreign spouse or family member is not comfortable with Japanese, we communicate directly with them in English—from consultation to visa approval—reducing the burden on the Japanese spouse.
If you are worried about whether you can obtain a visa after an international marriage, or unsure how to begin the process of bringing your family to Japan, we will carefully address your concerns during the initial consultation.
Even those who are busy during weekday daytime hours can consult us without difficulty. We offer consultations on weekday evenings, weekends, and public holidays, allowing you to choose a time that fits your schedule.
Online consultations (Zoom / Google Meet) are also available, making it easy for clients not only in Hiroshima Prefecture but also from other regions of Japan to receive support smoothly.
Excluding tax
Actual costs will be charged, as fees vary depending on the language and volume. The applicant may handle the translation themselves or request our office to do so.
Excluding tax
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