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Can I get a 定住者 visa as the spouse of a 定住者?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 18 April 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026　／　Supervised by 佐藤拓行政書士

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Who this article is forThe enquirer has married a husband who holds a 定住者 visa, and wants to live with him in Japan.

Answer

The wife of a spouse who holds a 定住者 visa may be able to obtain a 定住者 visa as "the spouse of a 定住者". You need a valid marriage, a real married life, the ability to support the family and good conduct, and the spouse in Japan files the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 first.

What is this enquiry about?

The enquirer has married a husband who holds a 定住者 visa, and wants to live with him in Japan.

Subject: application for a 定住者 visa as the spouse of a 定住者 (new application)
Situation: the enquirer's husband obtained a 定住者 visa 5 years ago and works in Japan as a car mechanic. The couple married last year, but the enquirer is still abroad because of her job, and wants to live with him in Japan after she leaves that job.
Question: can the spouse of a husband who holds a 定住者 visa obtain a 定住者 visa in Japan?

Can the spouse of a 定住者 obtain a 定住者 visa?

It is possible. Several requirements have to be met, however.

The 定住者 visa as "the spouse of a 定住者" is a status of residence granted to the spouse of a foreign national who is settled in Japan as a 定住者. To obtain it, the following requirements have to be met.

A valid marriage: the marriage must also be valid under Japanese law. A marriage certificate and similar documents may be required.
A real married life: what matters is that the marriage is genuine and continuing, and not a sham marriage.
Ability to support the family: the spouse in Japan is expected to have stable income or assets that can support your life together.
Good conduct: the applicant is expected to obey Japanese law and to live without causing problems as a member of society.

What is the procedure, and what documents are needed?

The spouse in Japan files the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 first.

As for the procedure, the spouse in Japan normally files the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 (Application for Certificate of Eligibility) on behalf of the applicant, at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan.

Documents prepared by the spouse in Japan: 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書, copies of the passport and the 在留カード (Residence Card), a family register showing the fact of the marriage, a residence record and a residence record for all household members, documents on occupation and income (certificate of employment, withholding tax statement, tax payment certificate and so on), a 身元保証書 (Letter of Guarantee), documents explaining how the couple met and came to marry (photographs, letters and so on), photographs showing how you live, and material about your home (a copy of the tenancy agreement and so on)
Documents prepared by the applicant abroad: passport, photograph, marriage certificate (a Japanese translation is needed), birth certificate, certificate of no criminal record

Once the 在留資格認定証明書 (Certificate of Eligibility) has been issued, you take it to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country and apply for a 査証 (visa). If the visa is issued, you enter Japan and receive your 在留カード.

Frequently Asked Questions

What requirements does the spouse of a 定住者 have to meet?

The main requirements are these 4 points: a valid marriage, a real married life, the ability of the spouse to support the family, and good conduct on the part of the applicant.

Who applies first?

Normally the spouse in Japan files the 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of the applicant.

What happens after the 在留資格認定証明書 is issued?

You take the certificate to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country and apply for a visa. If the visa is issued, you enter Japan and receive your 在留カード.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.