Japanese Spouse Visa: Stay Length & 3-Year Visa Tips

For spouse visas, the initial period of stay granted is usually one year. Many applicants aim for a three-year period at the first renewal after that year. Once a three-year period is granted, permanent residency comes into view.

However, even after applying to renew a spouse visa, some applicants are granted only a one-year extension. Therefore, if you are considering applying for permanent residency in the future, you need to plan ahead for your next renewal and take steps to qualify for a three-year visa.

The key points of this article are as follows.

This article summarizes the screening criteria for each of the four spouse-visa durations—6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years—and the steps to prepare for renewal. It also highlights key strategies for obtaining a spouse visa of 3 years or longer at the time of renewal.

By understanding the requirements for each duration, you can prepare systematically with a view to obtaining permanent residency in the future.

1.What is the “period of stay” for a Japanese spouse visa?

The period of stay for a spouse visa is set in four lengths: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years.

A 6-month period may be applied in cases such as when the marital relationship has effectively broken down. In general, the initial period after obtaining a spouse visa starts at 1 year, and then, as you satisfy the criteria for each stage, it may increase to 3 years and then 5 years. Building credibility in Japan during this step-up process is important.

It is difficult to receive a 3-year permit immediately at the first renewal.

A spouse visa requires that you continue to qualify under the status of “spouse.” At the time the visa is granted, considering your social standing in Japan and the risk of sham marriage, Immigration keeps you under supervision through annual renewals. Also note that if you repeatedly engage in questionable behavior in Japan, you may still be limited to a 1-year period even at the second renewal.

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2.Criteria for Each Period of Stay on a Japanese Spouse Visa

Among the four spouse-visa stay lengths, the period initially granted is usually “1 year.” However, in cases such as having a high income, the Immigration Services Agency may grant a 3-year period from the start at its discretion. In many cases, after one year of married life, a 3-year period is granted at the first renewal.

That said, some applicants are allowed only a 1-year period at each renewal. This is because the immigration authority has determined that their residence status needs to be reviewed annually. The criteria for each period of stay at renewal are as follows.

2-1. Criteria for a 5-Year Japanese Spouse Visa

To obtain a 5-year spouse visa, you must satisfy all five conditions below. If even one is missing, a 5-year visa will not be approved. Requirements include filing statutory notifications under the Immigration Control Act and meeting public obligations such as tax payment on time, as well as cohabiting for at least three years after marriage.

• You have fulfilled notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act, such as reporting your place of residence and any changes to it, and reporting changes to your affiliated institution.
• You have fulfilled all relevant public obligations.
• Your child(ren) attend elementary or junior high school (including international schools).
• The primary household earner has fulfilled their tax obligations.
• Based on family composition and length of marriage, continued marital cohabitation is expected (the period of cohabitation after marriage exceeds three years).

If you have been granted a 3-year spouse visa, you are eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Therefore, once you obtain a 3-year visa, you may apply for permanent residence without waiting to meet the 5-year-visa requirements. However, if your documents show unpaid taxes or it is found that the couple is not living together without a reasonable explanation, renewal may be denied and your permission can be revoked without notice.

2-2. Criteria for a 3-Year Japanese Spouse Visa

Criteria for a three-year period of stay are as follows. If you are granted three years or more, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or naturalization.

• You have fulfilled notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act, such as reporting your place of residence and any changes to it, and reporting changes to your affiliated institution.
• You have fulfilled all relevant public obligations.
• Your child(ren) attend elementary or junior high school (including international schools).
• The primary household earner has fulfilled their tax obligations.
• Continued marital cohabitation is expected (a cohabitation period of three years or more is not required).

The main difference from the five-year visa requirements is whether there is a record of cohabitation for three years or more. Even if you have not met all of the three-year visa requirements, approval may be granted in minor cases. However, if there are tax arrears, approval is almost impossible.

2-3. Criteria for a 1-Year Japanese Spouse Visa

Among spouse visas, the period initially granted is usually one year. The requirements that must be met for a one-year renewal are as follows:

• You have fulfilled notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act, such as reporting your place of residence and any changes to it, and reporting changes to your affiliated institution.
• You have fulfilled all relevant public obligations.
• Your child(ren) attend elementary or junior high school (including international schools).
• The primary household earner has fulfilled their tax obligations.
• The four requirements above are the same as those for a three-year renewal.

While the four requirements above are the same as for a three-year renewal, if there are doubts about the continuity of the marriage or any noncompliance with those obligations, and you fall under any of the cases below, the renewal will be for one year.

① When the continuity of the marriage needs to be confirmed once a year
② When, based on the residence circumstances, the situation needs to be checked once a year
③ Persons whose intended stay exceeds six months but is within one year

To obtain a one-year spouse visa, especially regarding (1) and (2), it is necessary to convince the examiner that your marriage and living situation do not require annual verification.

2-4. Criteria for a 6-Month Japanese Spouse Visa

If any of the following (1)–(3) apply, the period of stay will be six months. Cases under divorce mediation or litigation are also limited to a six-month period. Given the uncertainty of the future in such situations, Immigration generally deems it difficult to grant a one-year permit.

① Divorce mediation or litigation is underway (except where both spouses clearly lack intent to continue the marriage and no spouse activities are expected going forward).
② One spouse has explicitly expressed the intent to divorce.
③ The intended stay is six months or less.

At the next renewal, you will need to prove that the marital relationship has been restored or, at minimum, that it has not broken down.

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3.Key Points for Obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa of 3 Years or Longer

It is common for the initial spouse visa to be for one year. After that, you typically renew for another year, and at the second renewal, if the examiner determines that there is no need to verify the marriage and living situation annually, you ideally step up to a three-year visa (1 year → 1 year → 3 years).

When obtaining a visa of three years or longer, the key points are stable income, payment of social insurance and other obligations, and the actual substance of your married life. To demonstrate these, do not rely solely on the standard documents required at renewal; be sure to prepare your own written statement of reasons to highlight the points you want to emphasize.

However, materials submitted to Immigration are kept for a long time. If you exaggerate income or otherwise create doubts, it can backfire. Prepare your documents carefully.

3-1. Stable Income

To obtain a spouse visa of three years or longer, the resident tax taxation certificate and tax payment certificate are particularly important at the time of renewal. Based on the employment income recorded on these certificates, the Immigration Services Agency examines whether you can maintain a stable life in Japan.

If you have been employed at a large company for a long time and earn a high salary, the likelihood of receiving a visa of three years or more is higher. Furthermore, if you and your Japanese spouse have a Japanese child, the chances of being granted three years or more increase.

It’s acceptable even if the Japanese spouse has no income.

Under the spouse (of a Japanese national) status, the Japanese spouse does not necessarily have to be the financial sponsor. Depending on the family’s circumstances, the foreign spouse may be the primary breadwinner. What matters is whether the couple or family can maintain a stable livelihood; the assessment centers on the household’s overall financial situation, including income and savings.

3-2. Continuity of the Marriage

That the marriage is ongoing is a key requirement in spouse visa screening. Examiners verify whether the couple is cohabiting. In situations such as work assignments that require living apart, the review will proceed more smoothly if you explain in detail—e.g., in a statement of reasons—why cohabitation is not possible.

Because marital stability is emphasized, having stable employment and sufficient income for the couple’s life together are important points. To extend the period of stay to three years or more, it is important to remain employed and secure income. Increasing your years of continuous employment and raising your annual income will further work in your favor.

3-3. Fulfilling Immigration Notifications, Public Obligations, and Tax Duties

It is essential to make all required notifications under the Immigration Control Act (e.g., address and address changes, residence card obligations, notifications regarding your spouse) and to pay all taxes, pension, and health insurance contributions by their deadlines. If you have any arrears, pay them before filing your visa renewal. Having no unpaid balances is a key criterion not only for obtaining a three-year spouse visa but also for future permanent residency (you are generally required to submit resident tax payment certificates for the past five years).

In particular, “resident tax” is closely reviewed by Immigration. For salaried employees, resident tax is typically withheld from wages, so there is usually no issue. If you are self-employed, take care to avoid any arrears. Set up automatic bank transfers so payments are made on time.

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4.Summary

In this article, we explained the types of spouse-visa periods of stay and the key points for obtaining a visa of three years or longer at renewal. In summary:

A spouse visa requires continuity and stability in the marriage. In addition, be sure to fulfill your tax obligations and submit all required notifications. Once you obtain a three-year spouse visa, applying for permanent residency comes into view.

Spouse visa applications and renewals require various documents and meet specific criteria. If you find the procedures difficult, consulting a professional is a viable option.

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