Japan · Spouse visas
Japan Spouse of a permanent resident
First stay: 5 yrs
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (Spouse visa)
Checked against official sources on Rule changed 1 Apr 2027Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a permanent resident is a spouse visas route for Japan. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- ¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more
- Processing
- 1–3 months
- First stay
- 5 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: 7 government fees listed below; decision: 1–3 months. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more
- JPY 10,000 (≈ $63)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 15,000 (≈ $95)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 21,000 (≈ $130)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 27,000 (≈ $170)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 42,000 (≈ $260)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 1 year and under 3 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 56,000 (≈ $350)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 years or more and under 5 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 65,000 (≈ $410)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 5 years or more; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
RenewalRenewable
Renewable on application while the marriage continues; the period is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months.
Permanent residenceAfter 3 years of residence
Applications filed from 1 April 2027 need 5 years of marriage and 3 years of continuous residence in Japan (guideline revised 1 October 2026). Applications filed up to 31 March 2027 follow the older rule: 3 years of marriage and 1 year in Japan.
CitizenshipAfter 10 years of residence
The Nationality Act (Article 5) sets a minimum of 5 consecutive years of lawful residence in Japan, plus conduct, livelihood and other conditions. The Ministry of Justice's naturalisation Q&A adds that integration into Japanese society is required, such as 10 years or more of residence and Japanese good enough for daily life (speaking, reading and writing). Meeting the conditions does not guarantee permission.
Processing1–3 months
Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through the sponsoring organisation in Japan and then the visa abroad, or change status inside Japan.
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- Applicant is the husband or wife of a permanent resident or special permanent resident of Japan.
What you must show2
- Living costs are shown by the supporting person's latest-year resident tax and tax payment certificate; no minimum income figure is set.
- If that certificate is unavailable, a bank passbook copy or a job offer from a Japanese company is accepted instead.
Documents4
- Marriage certificate issued by the authority of the applicant's own country.
- Identity guarantee letter signed by the permanent resident spouse living in Japan.
- Resident record of the permanent resident spouse listing all household members.
- Questionnaire form plus 2 to 3 photos of the couple together; social media or call records are also accepted.
Steps2
- Application for a Certificate of Eligibility is made to the immigration bureau for new entry under this status.
- Someone already in Japan on another status applies for a change of status to this one.
After you arrive4
- Renewal requires proof that the marriage continues and new tax certificates.
- Divorce or death of the spouse must be notified to the immigration authorities.
- Permanent residence, applications filed up to 31 March 2027: 3 years of marriage and 1 year in Japan.
- Permanent residence, applications filed from 1 April 2027: 5 years of marriage and 3 years of continuous residence in Japan.
When you become tax resident
How Japan decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 5 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Resident individuals are domiciled in Japan or have continuous residence of 1 year or more.
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis
Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base.
- Special regime
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment · Tax relief
All tax rules for Japan Tax records checked
Full official text
Residence status for the husband or wife of a permanent resident or special permanent resident, granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- A fee of JPY 10,000 (≈ $63) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 15,000 (≈ $95) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 21,000 (≈ $130) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 27,000 (≈ $170) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 42,000 (≈ $260) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 1 year and under 3 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 56,000 (≈ $350) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 years or more and under 5 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
- A fee of JPY 65,000 (≈ $410) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 5 years or more; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 5
Requirements
- Applicant is the husband or wife of a permanent resident or special permanent resident of Japan. 1
- Living costs are shown by the supporting person's latest-year resident tax and tax payment certificate; no minimum income figure is set. 1
- If that certificate is unavailable, a bank passbook copy or a job offer from a Japanese company is accepted instead. 1
- Marriage certificate issued by the authority of the applicant's own country. 1
- Identity guarantee letter signed by the permanent resident spouse living in Japan. 1
- Resident record of the permanent resident spouse listing all household members. 1
- Questionnaire form plus 2 to 3 photos of the couple together; social media or call records are also accepted. 1
- Application for a Certificate of Eligibility is made to the immigration bureau for new entry under this status. 1
- Someone already in Japan on another status applies for a change of status to this one. 1
- Renewal requires proof that the marriage continues and new tax certificates. 1
- Divorce or death of the spouse must be notified to the immigration authorities. 1
- Permanent residence, applications filed up to 31 March 2027: 3 years of marriage and 1 year in Japan. 3
- Permanent residence, applications filed from 1 April 2027: 5 years of marriage and 3 years of continuous residence in Japan. 4
Stay
- Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months; renewable on application while the marriage continues.
- First stay: 6 to 60 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
No work permit needed; the status is based on family position and does not restrict activities.
Family
Children born in Japan to a permanent resident who continue to reside in Japan fall under the same status.
Fine print
The 1-year permanent residence rule for spouses ends on 31 March 2027. Applications filed from 1 April 2027 need 5 years of marriage and 3 years of continuous residence in Japan.
Official sources
- Status of Residence "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Table of statuses of residence and periods of stay · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-24
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-01
- Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a permanent resident and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a permanent resident | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a permanent resident Thailand | – | 3 mo, renewable | – |
| Spouse of a stay permit holder Indonesia | – | – | No |
| Spouse of a citizen United Arab Emirates | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse of a permanent resident?
A fee of JPY 10,000 (≈ $63). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 15,000 (≈ $95). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 21,000 (≈ $130). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 27,000 (≈ $170). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
How long can I stay on the Spouse of a permanent resident?
Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months; renewable on application while the marriage continues.
How long does the Spouse of a permanent resident take to process?
Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension.
Can I work on the Spouse of a permanent resident?
Yes. No work permit needed; the status is based on family position and does not restrict activities.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a permanent resident?
Children born in Japan to a permanent resident who continue to reside in Japan fall under the same status.
Does the Spouse of a permanent resident lead to permanent residence in Japan?
Time on the Spouse of a permanent resident counts toward permanent residence in Japan, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a permanent resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Spouse of a permanent resident holders in Japan?
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment: Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment
Tax relief
Details
- Who: Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more
Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base.
Taxed on
Income tax on all Japan-source income plus foreign-source income that is paid in Japan or remitted to Japan from abroad, at the progressive national rates of 5% to 45%.
Who it applies to
- Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more.
- Non-Japanese nationality.
- Domicile or residence in Japan for an aggregate of five years or less within the preceding ten years.
Exclusions
- Japan-source income, including pay for work performed in Japan, is taxed in full.
- Residents who are not non-permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Tax residence
Resident = domicile, or continuous residence of one year or more. Non-permanent resident = non-Japanese national resident for an aggregate of five years or less in the preceding ten years. Based on facts, not visa type.
Visas
No visa grants this treatment; it follows tax residence and nationality.
Other taxes
Consumption tax: standard rate 10% (7.8% national plus 2.2% local) and reduced rate 8% (6.24% national plus 1.76% local). Local inhabitant tax and social insurance are separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Japan
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 9 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Status of Residence "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Table of statuses of residence and periods of stay · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.