In order for Japanese national and American national to marry and live together in Japan, American partner need to obtain a ‘Japanese Spouse’ visa. The first step in this process is to complete the legal marriage procedures. Due to differences in the laws of the two countries, it takes time to obtain the necessary documents, etc., for marriage procedures, so start preparing at an early stage.
Once the marriage procedures are completed, you can apply for the visa. It is important to note that being legally married is not equal to being permitted to get a visa. In order to be permitted a visa, in addition to the completion of the legal formalities, you must also prove that married relations are substantial.
Below we introduce the key points of marriage procedures in both countries and visa application, as well as providing information on visas and life after starting life on a Japanese spouse visa.
Marriage procedures between Japanese and American
While marriage procedures and requirements are standardized in Japan, the rules in the United States vary from state to state and county to county. There are also rules in Japan that do not exist in the United States.
For example…
- The legal age for marriage in the United States is 18 in most states, but some states allow marriage at the age of 17.
- Some states in the US require that the couple reside in the jurisdiction at the time of the procedure.
- Some states in the United States require a church ceremony as a requirement for marriage (e.g. California and New York).
In the United States, women can marry without any time restriction after divorce as there is no system of remarriage moratorium in Japan.
Marriage requirements in Japan and the United States
| Japan | United States | |
| Marriageable age | Male 18 years Female 18 years
Minors require parental consent. |
Male 18 years Female 18 years
Minors require parental consent. |
| Application to | Municipal offices | Government office with jurisdiction in your place of residence |
Note: In the United States, marriage requirements and procedures, such as marriageable age and parental consent, vary from state to state and even county to county.
In which country the marriage procedure will proceed first
Marriage procedures must be completed in both countries in order to apply for Japanese Spouse visa. It does not matter whether the marriage procedure is completed in Japan or the United States first. Depending on your situation, such as where you both currently live and how long it takes to complete the procedures, you can proceed with whichever is less burdensome.
Procedures for carrying out marriage procedures in Japan
1. Obtain a Single Status Affidavit from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Japan.
The Single Status Affidavit certifies that the applicant has sworn to the US Consul that he or she meets the legal requirements to marry, since there is no official document in the United States, such as the Japanese family register, to prove that a person is single.
Required documents, etc.
- Original passport
- Fee 50USD
*Please check with the Embassy in advance as rules may change.
US embassy and consulates in Japan
Click here to find the nearest embassy or consulate.
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2. Submit the Marriage Certificate at the municipal office
The couple must register together with the following documents.
*Please check in advance as there may be differences depending on the municipal office.
| Japanese side | American side |
| Registration of marriage (signed by two witnesses).
Family register Official identification document with photo |
Marriage certificate and its Japanese translation
Birth certificates and its Japanese translation. Original passport |
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Procedures for carrying out marriage procedures in the United States
1. Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility for Marriage for Japanese national
It can be obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau in Japan and from the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in the United States.
Required documents
- Application form
- Passport
- Original copy of family register
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The Certificate of Eligibility for Marriage for Japanese national may require an apostille from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a notarized English translation of a Japanese document, depending on the state/county where the document is submitted. |
2. Obtaining a Marriage License in the US
Obtain a Marriage License at the municipal office in accordance with the state/county rules on marriage procedures.
Required documents
| Japanese | American |
| Passport
Original copy of family register and its English translation. Original of Certificate of Eligibility for Marriage and its English translation |
Birth Certificates |
3. Carry out the wedding ceremony.
The marriage is sworn in at a state or county church or government office in the presence of a church priest, preacher, judge or other marriage executor who is qualified to perform the ceremony, and the marriage executor signs the Marriage License.
4. Submit the Marriage License to the local government office.
The marriage is registered at the local government office and you can obtain a marriage certificate.
5. Register the marriage at a Japanese consulate in the United States (or at a municipal office in Japan).
Required documents
| Japanese | American |
| -Marriage registration
-Passport -Family register -Marriage certificate and its Japanese translation (When submitted at Japanese embassies and consulates in the US) -Documents proving lawful stay -Proof of current address |
Passport and its Japanese translation
Or Birth certificate and its Japanese translation |
Embassy or consulate of Japan in the United States
Please check the webpage of the Embassy of Japan in the United States below for your nearest embassy or consulate.
Embassy and Consulate-General of Japan in the United States
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A copy of the family register reflecting the marital status must be submitted with the visa application. It takes time for the family register to reflect the marital status if this registration is made at an embassy or consulate in the US. If you are in a hurry to apply for a visa, it is advisable to submit the notification to the municipal office in Japan. (Some municipal offices allow you to apply from abroad by post or by proxy.) |
Applying for Japanese spouse visa
Once the marriage procedures have been completed, it is time to apply for a visa.
If the Japanese partner lives in Japan and the American partner lives in the US or other foreign country
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
If the American partner is already living in Japan with an employment visa, etc.
Change status of residence
Although the application route differs, the point is the same: to prove in the application that the marriage is a true marriage with substance and that there is a stable financial basis for living in Japan.
If both of you live abroad, according to the law, parent or brother/sister of Japanese partner must act as your legal representative to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). In this case, we can provide substantive support in the preparation of the documents, etc.
Foreign nationals eligible for Japanese spouse visa
Foreign spouse who have completed formal marriage procedures and are leading a life together with their Japanese spouse with the substance of a married couple are eligible.
Therefore, the following cases are not eligible
- Those who have not yet completed the legal marriage procedure.
- The legal marriage procedure has been completed, but the couple does not have actual marital status.
- Divorced.
Although the couple’s co-residence is an important factor for the application to be approved, the application will not be rejected solely because they do not live together. The immigration authorities take this into account in order to prevent people entering the country through fake marriages, so it is possible to obtain a permit even if you are living separately as long as you can prove from various angles that you have the substance of a married couple.
Requirements for obtaining Japanese spouse visa
All of the following requirements must be met in order to obtain permission to apply for a Japanese spouse visa
(1) Marriage procedures have been completed in both countries.
(2) The couple is married with substance.
(3) Financial resources to lead a stable life in Japan.
It is a matter of course that the formal marriage procedure has been completed, but the two people must also be living together as a couple in a way that they can truthfully be described as husband and wife. In order to avoid suspicion from the Immigration Department that the marriage is a fake one, it is necessary to prove the relationship between the couple with a variety of documents. You may think, “Do I have to tell the Immigration Department about such a private matter?”, but this is unavoidable considering that the Immigration Officers deal with fake marriage applications on a daily basis. Providing the immigration authorities with as many supporting documents for their decision as possible will also lead to an early granting of the visa.
With regard to the economic basis, this is to prevent the applicant from being disadvantageous to Japan, such as the possibility of eventually being on public assistance or engaging in illegal activities if they cannot lead a stable life after being granted a visa. In this respect, the economic basis is judged on a couple basis, so even if the foreigner is unemployed, for example, there is no problem if the Japanese spouse has a stable income and they can maintain their lives together.
Note that if a foreigner is already living in Japan on a different visa and changes to a Japanese spouse visa, he/she may be refused if he/she violates the Immigration Control Act or other Japanese laws during the period of stay.
Application documents for Japanese spouse visa
The minimum required documents are listed on the Immigration website, but nationality and marital status vary from application to application and should be dealt with flexibly.
You should always be aware that you must prove to the Immigration Department that “the marriage procedures of both countries have been completed and that you are in a true marital relationship. Always be aware that the application is to prove to the Immigration Department that “the marriage procedures have been completed in both countries, that you have a true marital relationship, and that you can live stably in Japan”.
Generally, the following documents should be submitted
- Passport (original or photocopy)
- Photograph of the applicant (4cm x 3cm)
- Identity card
- Personal Resume
- A copy of the family register of the Japanese spouse
- Residence certificate showing all members of the Japanese spouse’s household.
- Marriage certificate issued in the foreigner’s home country and its Japanese translation
- Certificate of taxation (or non-taxation) of residence tax for the latest one year.
- Certificate of tax payment for the most recent year
- A copy of the bankbook
- Certificate of employment from employer
- Salary slips and withholding tax certificates from the employer.
- Questionnaire (Immigration Department designated form)
- Reference form (Immigration Department designated form)
- A copy of tenancy agreement in which both of you plan to live (or registration certificate proving ownership, etc.)
- Other documents that prove your relationship and that you can be able to lead a stable life in Japan.
Japanese spouse visa : Steps from visa application to entry into Japan
1. Collection and preparation of application documents
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Documents issued in Japan must have been issued within the last three months. |
2. Submit application documents to the Immigration Department
[ Estimated Processing Time ]
In the case of an application for a certificate of eligibility to invite a foreign spouse from abroad: 1-3 months
In the case of an application for permission to change status of residence for a foreign spouse residing in Japan: 2 weeks to 1 month
3. Approval of Japanese Spouse Visa
A certificate of eligibility is issued.
*In the case of an application for permission to change status of residence for a foreigner already living in Japan, the foreigner will attend the Immigration Department with the postcard that serves as notification of permission and obtain a new residence card.
4. Apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in the US.
Normally, a visa is issued within a few days.
5. Entering Japan
Depending on the airport of arrival, a residence card may be issued upon entry into Japan or later by post.
Start your life in Japan!
How long can a Japanese spouse visa be granted?
The period of stay for a Japanese spouse visa can be granted for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
First-time applications usually result in a period of stay of 1 year.
Subsequent renewal applications can be renewed for 3 or 5 years, depending on the stability of the marriage and other factors.
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In order to obtain a longer period of stay on visa renewal, the following points are important factors.
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Advantages of Japanese spouse visa
No restrictions on employment
The conditions for applying for permanent residence status are reduced
While employment visas and student visas have restrictions on the nature of the work and the hours that can be worked, a Japanese spouse visa allows for any kind of work and there are no restrictions under the Immigration Law on the hours that can be worked. There is also no need for one spouse to be dependent on the other. Therefore, the two spouses can enjoy the same lifestyle as a Japanese couple.
| Furthermore, the Japanese spouse visa is also advantageous when applying for permanent residence status.
Normally, you are required to have lived in Japan for at least 10 years in order to apply for permanent residence status, but if you have a Japanese spouse visa, you can apply for permanent residence status if you meet the following conditions.
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Things to note about Japanese spouse visa [ Divorce, Separation ]
The Japanese spouse visa requires the couple to live together. If they live separately without any special reasons, not only will they not be granted the desired renewal period, but they should also note that the renewal itself will not be granted. Therefore, as with the initial application, a substantive married life is required to maintain this visa.
In the event of divorce or bereavement of the Japanese spouse, there is no longer any basis for this visa. In this case, you will need to return to your home country or change to other visas. To remain in Japan, we will consider a more suitable visa, taking into account your marital history, your personal history, income and other factors.
Finally, you must never provide false information in your initial or renewal application. The Immigration Department will not only monitor past application information, but will also conduct on-site inspections. Your renewal application or application for permanent residence status will be messed up and you will end up being forced to leave Japan.
How to live in Japan without Japanese spouse visa
If for some reason it is considered difficult to apply for and be granted a Japanese spouse visa, consider obtaining other visas to live with your partner.
For example, if you meet the requirements for a working visa, you could find employer, apply for and receive a working visa, live with your Japanese partner and then apply for a change of visa when you meet the requirements for a Japanese spouse visa.
For more information on obtaining a Working visa, click here.
Renewal of Japanese spouse visa and permanent residence status
Renewal of Japanese spouse visa
Visas can be renewed three months before the expiry date.
To avoid rushing and making an inadequate application at the last minute, you should make sure you are well prepared for the renewal.
Even if the initial period of stay expires after the application has been submitted, a two-month grace period is granted, allowing the applicant to remain in Japan legally.
The examination process for renewal applications is less stringent than for initial applications, but couples whose financial situation has deteriorated or who are living separately should apply with extreme caution.
Obtaining Permanent residence status
As mentioned above, the conditions for applying for permanent residence status are mitigated for Japanese spouse visa holders.
Consider applying if you meet the following conditions
- The marriage has been continuing for at least three years and the couple has resided in Japan for at least one year
- The visa is for the longest period of stay
- The household must have a stable income
- Proper fulfilment of public obligations such as taxes and pensions
- Not likely to be harmful from a public health point of view
- Not have been sentenced to a fine or imprisonment.
*The maximum period of stay for a Japanese spouse visa is five years, but in practice it is possible to apply once a three-year period of stay has been granted.
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan
| U.S. Embassy in Tokyo | ADDRESS: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 PHONE: 03-3224-5000 |
| U.S. Consulate in Sapporo | ADDRESS: Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821 PHONE: 011-641-1115 |
| U.S. Consulate in Nagoya | ADDRESS: Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6F 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001 PHONE: 052-581-4501 |
| U.S. Consulate in Osaka | ADDRESS: 2-11-5, Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543 PHONE: 06-6315-5900 |
| U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka | ADDRESS: 5-26 Ohori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052 PHONE: 092-751-9331 |
| U.S. Consulate General Naha | ADDRESS: 2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa 901-2104 PHONE: 098-876-4211 |
Contact us for obtaining Japanese spouse visa
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