The “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” residence status applies to foreign nationals who are legally married to individuals who have already obtained permanent residency in Japan.
It is important to note that only officially registered marriages are eligible. Common-law relationships or de facto marriages are not recognized under this status.
Regarding children of permanent residents, not all are automatically eligible for this status.
Only children born in Japan may qualify as “Child of Permanent Resident.” Children born outside Japan are generally subject to a different residence status, such as “Long-Term Resident.”
→Click Here for Information on the “Long-Term Resident” Status
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Residence status classifications in Japan are determined based on various factors such as family composition, place of birth, and the legal status of marriage.
As a result, many individuals find it difficult to determine which status applies to themselves or their family members, and what procedures are required.
In such cases, consulting with a certified administrative scrivener or other qualified professional at an early stage can help you select the most appropriate residence status for your situation and proceed with the application process with confidence.
◆Employment under the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status
Individuals holding the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” residence status are not subject to employment restrictions.
In other words, this status allows for free and unrestricted work activities in Japan.
Because of this flexibility, immigration authorities may closely scrutinize applications for this status, particularly for signs of a possible sham marriage. Applicants must submit sufficient documentation to prove that their marriage is genuine.
If the evidence is deemed insufficient—even if the marriage is in fact legitimate—the applicant may not be granted the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” status.
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One of the most critical aspects when applying for the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” residence status is proving that the marriage is genuine—that is, not a sham marriage.
The documents required to demonstrate the authenticity of the relationship vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
These may include evidence of cohabitation and daily life as a married couple, records of communication and the development of the relationship, and materials showing connections with family members and friends.
◆Eligibility Requirements for the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status
To obtain the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” residence status, applicants must appropriately demonstrate in writing to the Immigration Services Agency that they meet the prescribed requirements.
These requirements represent the minimum criteria, and depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances, additional documents or explanations may be requested. Please be aware of this when preparing your application.
1) Being in a genuine marital relationship with a permanent resident
Applicants must be legally married; situations such as engagement, informal unions, separation, or loss of a spouse do not qualify.
2) Ability to maintain a stable livelihood as a family unit
Applicants must provide written documentation demonstrating that they have sufficient income or financial assets to maintain their marital relationship.
This financial stability is assessed based on the household as a whole, not solely on either spouse. Therefore, even if the applicant has no personal income, the application may still be approved if their Japanese spouse possesses adequate income or savings to support the family.
3) Being born in Japan as the child of a permanent resident and continuously residing in Japan
These are the eligibility requirements for a child of a permanent resident to obtain the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” residence status.
Please note that the following cases do not qualify for this status. Instead, the child may fall under the “Long-Term Resident” residence status.
- Born before the parent acquired permanent residency
- Born abroad to a parent holding permanent residency in Japan
→Click here for procedures related to the “Dependent” status of residence.
◆Required Documents for Obtaining the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status
The required documents listed on the Ministry of Justice website serve as a general guideline. Please note that additional documents may be requested depending on the individual circumstances of each applicant.
1) Application for Certificate of Eligibility — 1 copy
The form is available for download on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.
2) Photograph — 1 copy
If the photograph does not meet the specified requirements, it will need to be retaken.The photo must meet the following criteria:
- Size: 4 cm (height) × 3 cm (width)
- Taken of the applicant themselves
- No hat or head covering
- Plain background (no patterns or scenery)
- Clear and in focus
- Taken within the past six months
- Applicant’s name written on the back
3) Marriage Certificate Issued by a Foreign Authority – 1 copy
4) Documents Showing Ability to Cover Living Costs in Japan
- Certificate of Residence Tax (Taxable or Non-Taxable) and Tax Payment Certificate for the past year (spouse who is a permanent resident)
- Copy of bankbook or other proof of savings
- Certificate of Scheduled Employment or Notice of Job Offer
- Other documents equivalent to the above
5) Letter of Guarantee from the Spouse (Permanent Resident) – 1 copy
The form is available for download on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.
6) Copy of the Resident Record Listing All Household Members of the Spouse (Permanent Resident) – 1 copy
Make sure your resident record does not include your Individual Number (My Number).
7) Questionnaire
The form is available for download on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.
A written statement is a document that includes information such as the applicant’s personal details, the circumstances leading to the marriage, the language used when communicating with the spouse, the names of the witnesses on the marriage registration, and other related matters.
8) Records Showing Marital Contact or Interaction
Snapshots (showing both individuals clearly, with unaltered facial features; app-filtered images are not accepted), social media records, call logs, etc.
9) Return envelope with address and required postage (simplified registered mail) — 1 copy
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The documents listed on the Immigration Services Agency’s website represent the basic requirements.
However, during the actual screening process, examiners may raise questions based on the applicant’s individual circumstances.
To address such concerns proactively, it is highly recommended to include supplementary materials that clarify your situation. Doing so can help examiners better understand your case and may lead to a smoother review process.
In particular, if the initial application lacks sufficient explanation or contains misunderstandings, it may be denied without a clear reason—resulting in repeated rejections in subsequent attempts.
For this reason, we strongly encourage you to consult with a certified administrative scrivener (gyōsei shoshi) from the very first application. They can help you organize your documents and present your case clearly and effectively.
◆Period of Stay for the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status
In Japan, the period of stay is typically set to one of the following durations: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
For first-time applicants, a one-year period is most commonly granted. If you continue to live a stable and trouble-free life in Japan, your period of stay may gradually be extended with each renewal. This can be seen as a sign that your life is becoming firmly rooted in Japanese society.
However, please be aware that any violation of laws may result in the cancellation of your residence status, which would make it impossible for you to remain in Japan.
It is also extremely important to pay attention to your period of stay. Even a one-day overstay is considered illegal and may lead to serious consequences.
To avoid such issues, we strongly recommend that you begin the renewal process well in advance of your expiration date.
→Click Here to Learn About the Procedure for Extending Your Period of Stay
◆Important Points to Note After Obtaining the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status
For individuals who have obtained residence status as the spouse of a permanent resident, maintaining a stable and ongoing marital relationship is a critical factor in future renewals of that status.
For example, if the couple has been living separately for an extended period or if the marriage is deemed to have effectively broken down, the period of stay may be shortened, or renewal may be denied.
This is because the basis for the residence status—namely, a genuine and continuing marital relationship—is considered to no longer exist.
Furthermore, involvement in criminal activity or violations of laws and regulations may result in the revocation of residence status. If revoked, re-entry into Japan may become difficult.
◆Divorce or Bereavement Involving a “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”
If you are residing in Japan under the status of “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” and your marital relationship ends due to divorce or the death of your spouse, you are required to notify the Immigration Services Agency (Ministry of Justice).
This notification must, in principle, be submitted within 14 days of the change. While it may be emotionally difficult to respond immediately to such a sudden change in circumstances, please note that submitting this notification does not mean your residence status will be automatically revoked.
What matters first is to accurately report your current situation.
If you wish to continue living in Japan, you may consider applying for a change to another residence status, such as “Long-Term Resident.” In such cases, factors such as your living history in Japan and your ties to the local community will be taken into account.
→Click Here for Information on the “Long-Term Resident” Status
◆Changing Status from “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” to Permanent Residency
As your life in Japan becomes more established—with deeper ties to work, family, and the local community—you may begin to feel a desire to continue living here in a stable and long-term way.
If you have built a solid foundation for your life in Japan and wish to remain here in the future, we strongly encourage you to consider applying for permanent residency once the necessary conditions are met.
→Click here for details on permanent residency applications.
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We recommend beginning preparations for permanent residency as early as possible.
This is especially important for those residing in Japan as the spouse of a Japanese national. Applying while your marital life is stable can make a significant difference. In fact, if something unexpected happens to your spouse, the eligibility conditions may change, and obtaining permanent residency could become more difficult.
To avoid such complications, it’s reassuring to consult with a certified administrative scrivener (gyōsei shoshi) in advance. They can help you determine the right timing for your application and confirm which documents are needed based on your specific situation.
Even if your circumstances have changed due to divorce or bereavement, if you still wish to continue living in Japan, there may be other residence status options available.
We encourage you to speak with a professional to explore the best path forward. Let’s find the way that supports your future life in Japan—together.