How to Invite a Foreign Spouse Living Overseas to Japan with a COE

When you plan to bring your foreign spouse who lives overseas to Japan and start your life together under the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” (commonly referred to as a spouse visa), the core procedure in many cases is the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) process.

At the same time, concerns differ from person to person—such as “Who files the application?” “How much income is needed?” and “When can my spouse come to Japan?” On this page, we summarize obtaining a spouse visa while your spouse remains overseas (COE application) in a practical, Q&A format, covering eligibility, process, required documents, and typical review timelines.

1. How to bring your overseas spouse to Japan with a spouse visa

The most common way to bring a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), then apply for a visa, and enter Japan.

Specifically, the procedure typically follows this flow.

1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) within Japan
2. After the COE is issued, apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate overseas
3. Enter Japan with the visa, and the status of residence is granted upon entry

A major feature of this approach is that immigration screening takes place before entry, which means your eligibility to live in Japan as a spouse can be confirmed in advance.

As a result, it reduces the risk of problems such as the status of residence not being granted after entry, or being required to take conditional steps. In practice, it is treated as the most stable and standard route.

In addition, entering Japan from the start with the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” allows you to work immediately after arrival and makes it easier to build a solid residence record with an eye toward future renewals, permanent residence applications, or naturalization.

2. What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? | The process of inviting an overseas spouse

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document used when a foreign national enters Japan for mid- to long-term residence. It is issued after immigration authorities review and certify whether the applicant meets the requirements for the intended status of residence before entry.

For spouse visas, the COE examination does not simply confirm whether a legal marriage exists. Immigration also carefully reviews whether the couple has a genuine marital relationship with real substance.

In particular, the following points are reviewed comprehensively.

• Genuineness of the marriage (history from relationship to marriage, length of relationship, photos, communication records, etc.)
• Planned life as a married couple (plans for living together, specificity of future life planning)
• Stability of the Japanese spouse’s living foundation (income and employment stability, housing, savings, etc.)

Based on these factors, immigration examines the case from the perspective of whether the couple can continue a stable married life in Japan.

When a Japanese spouse residing in Japan brings a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan using a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), the process generally proceeds in the order of preparation on the Japan side → procedures on the overseas side.

What is especially important is to collect the Japan-side documents required for the COE application and the overseas-side documents in parallel. This helps shorten the overall timeline efficiently.

If the relationship period is short, or if explanations are needed regarding income or household finances, there are cases where immigration may request a Statement of Reasons or supplementary documents. By structuring your documents from the beginning with likely review points in mind, it becomes easier to avoid requests for additional materials and prolonged examination.

If you would like to learn more details about required documents and important precautions for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application, please also refer to the following explanation page.

[2025 Edition] Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains in an easy-to-understand way how to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) when inviting your spouse from overseas, including required documents and key review cautions.

3. Requirements for the Japanese Spouse and Key Review Points

In spouse visa examinations, it is not enough that the marriage notification has simply been accepted. Immigration authorities comprehensively assess whether a genuine marital relationship with real substance exists and whether the couple can continue a stable married life in Japan.

In particular, the Japanese spouse is reviewed from perspectives such as the following.

• Substance of the Marriage
  Immigration checks whether the story from the start of the relationship to marriage is natural, as well as the frequency of communication and the history of in-person meetings. It is also an important factor whether both families and people around you recognize you as a married couple.
• Living Foundation
  Immigration reviews the income situation in Japan, continuity of employment, whether there are savings, and the balance with monthly expenses. In addition, they will check whether housing is secured and whether an environment is in place for living together after entry.
• Overall Consistency of the Documents
  Immigration closely checks for contradictions among the family register, residence certificate, tax certificates, statement of reasons, and questionnaire, and whether the timeline, addresses, work history, and explanations are consistent.
• Whether Risk Factors Exist
  Cases with an extremely short relationship period, a large age gap, or a history of prior visa refusals or overstays will be examined more carefully.

We often receive the question, “How much annual income is required?” In practice, however, Immigration does not make a uniform decision based solely on an annual income figure.

In addition to income, Immigration comprehensively evaluates the overall stability of the household—such as whether there are savings, the level of fixed costs, living arrangements, and whether there is support from family.

Therefore, even if your income is close to the borderline, or you have just changed jobs, are self-employed, or have a gap in employment, there are many cases where you can still obtain approval if you can provide a reasonable explanation through a statement of reasons and supplementary materials.

If you have any concerns, it is best to anticipate the points Immigration is likely to confirm and prepare your explanation strategy (statement of reasons + supporting documents) in advance, which is often the shortest path to spouse visa approval.

4. List of Required Documents (Inviting a Spouse Living Overseas)

Required documents for a spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) may change due to legal amendments or operational updates. Before applying, be sure to check the latest information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

If you request our assistance, we will follow the official Immigration guidance as a base, while also structuring your documents to maximize approval probability based on your marriage status, income situation, and relationship history. Not everyone is approved with the same set of documents—case-by-case adjustments are important.

Required Documents When Applying for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” via a COE Application

The required documents listed in the Immigration guidance above form the foundation, but in practice, it is almost always necessary to submit additional materials depending on individual circumstances. Here, we introduce commonly used documents organized by category.

1. Basic Documents for the Japanese Spouse

• Family register (koseki) showing the marriage record
• Residence certificate (juminhyo) listing all household members and relationships
• Taxation certificate and tax payment certificate (most recent year)
• Employment-related documents (certificate of employment, withholding slip, etc.) *Submitted depending on circumstances
• Housing-related documents (lease agreement; if owned, certificate of registered matters, etc.)

2. Basic Documents for the Foreign Spouse Living Overseas

• Copy of passport
• Documents proving identity/family relationship (e.g., birth certificate) *Varies by country
• Marriage certificate (how to obtain and format depend on the country’s system)
• Identification photos, etc. (submitted in accordance with the application forms)

3. Materials Showing the Substance of the Marriage (Especially Important)

• Explanatory materials summarizing the history from relationship to marriage (timeline)
• Communication records (excerpts of chats, emails, call logs, etc.)
• Meeting/travel records (air tickets, passport entry/exit stamps, etc.)
• Photos (showing dates, places, and the relationship)
• Materials showing relationships with both families (photos from greetings, weddings, events, etc.)

For marriage-substance materials, “content and consistency” are valued more than “quantity”. What to submit and how far to go differs greatly by case. If you are unsure, selecting materials by working backward from points Immigration is likely to verify will help lead to a smoother approval.

5. Typical Review Timeline and Schedule Until Entry When Applying for a COE from Within Japan

When the Japanese spouse residing in Japan is the main applicant and invites a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan, the process begins by applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Services Agency / regional immigration bureau in Japan.

In this COE application, Immigration examines mainly the Japanese spouse’s living foundation and the substance of the marriage, focusing on whether the couple can continue a stable married life in Japan. All screening is conducted within Japan, and procedures on the overseas side are a feature in that they proceed after the COE is issued.

Once the COE is issued, the spouse living overseas applies for a visa at the local Japanese embassy/consulate using that COE. When a COE has been issued, visa screening generally finishes in a relatively short period.

Please note that a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) has a validity period (generally 3 months). You must complete the visa application and enter Japan within 3 months from the date of issuance. If the validity period expires, in principle you will need to start over from a new COE application.

Therefore, if you have a preferred entry timing, it is important to apply for the COE by working backward from your intended arrival date.

A rough schedule guideline when applying from within Japan is as follows.

Actual processing times vary depending on the application content, the time of year, and Immigration workload. In particular, if the relationship period is short or explanations are needed regarding income or housing, the review period may be extended due to requests for additional documents.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan publishes monthly nationwide averages for residence examination processing times, which can be a useful reference for understanding current trends.

However, this is only an average and does not guarantee the processing time for an individual case. Depending on how complete the application is and how well the explanations are structured, the perceived timeline can vary significantly.

Entry timing differs by each couple’s circumstances. Housing contract start dates, job handovers, childbirth/childcare, school enrollment, and other factors can change the optimal application timing depending on your preferred schedule.

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, based on practical experience specializing in cases filed from within Japan, we propose an application schedule by working backward from your desired entry timing.

6. Common Reasons for Refusal or Careful Examination

In spouse visa examinations, not all applications are processed at the same speed or under identical scrutiny. Depending on the content of the application, additional documents may be requested, or the case may be subject to a careful and extended review compared to standard processing.

However, the existence of the circumstances listed below does not automatically result in a refusal. By understanding the points immigration officers seek to confirm, and by appropriately preparing well-structured explanations and supporting documents, many cases are ultimately approved.

• Extremely short dating period / Few in-person meetings
  When the period from first meeting to marriage is very short, or when the number of in-person meetings is limited, immigration authorities carefully examine whether the marriage may be one of convenience. It is essential to explain the relationship in chronological detail, including how you met, how the relationship developed, and why you decided to marry.
• Large age difference or limited shared language requiring reasonable explanation
  In cases involving a significant age gap or limited common language, immigration authorities will confirm how communication is maintained and whether married life is realistically viable. Explanations regarding the use of translation apps and daily communication methods are required, emphasizing a realistic description of the marital relationship.
• Unstable income on the Japanese spouse’s side
  When the Japanese spouse has recently changed jobs, works as a freelancer, has periods of unemployment, or supports multiple dependents, immigration authorities assess whether stable living conditions in Japan can be maintained. Rather than focusing solely on annual income, it is effective to explain the overall household financial situation, including savings, future income prospects, and possible family support.
• Unclear plans for living together
  If post-entry housing has not yet been decided, or if there are circumstances preventing immediate cohabitation, the authenticity of married life may be questioned. It is necessary to clearly explain the reasons and duration of any temporary separation, as well as future plans for living together.
• Past immigration-related issues
  If there is a history of overstay, false applications, or deportation, immigration authorities will carefully examine whether there is a risk of recurrence. It is important to provide a well-organized explanation of the facts, including the circumstances at the time, reflections, and subsequent improvements.

These “points that tend to raise suspicion” follow certain patterns in practice.

Therefore, by preparing statements of reason and supplementary materials that proactively address anticipated immigration questions at the time of application, it becomes easier to avoid requests for additional documents and prolonged examinations.

Especially when concerns exist, rather than withholding information because it may appear problematic, constructing documents from the perspective of how to provide convincing explanations is the most reliable path toward spouse visa approval.

7. Differences from Applying After Entering Japan on a Short-Term Stay

In addition to applying for a spouse visa via a COE from overseas, some individuals consider the option of entering Japan on a short-term stay and then changing status within Japan.

However, changes from a short-term stay are considered “not permitted in principle,” and in practice are treated as exceptional cases. While approval may be possible depending on circumstances, insufficient preparation significantly increases risk. The appropriate route depends on travel plans, marital circumstances, living arrangements, and prior immigration history.

8. COE Application Q&A for Spouses Living Overseas

Yes, this is possible. In fact, applying while the foreign spouse remains overseas is the standard and recommended route for spouse visa applications.

Generally, the Japanese spouse residing in Japan acts as the proxy applicant and submits an Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. After the COE is issued, a visa application is submitted at the Japanese embassy or consulate overseas, and entry into Japan is made using that visa.

Because eligibility requirements are examined in advance, this method is considered the most stable option with a lower risk of post-entry status denial.

In most cases, the Japanese spouse residing in Japan serves as the applicant (proxy).

Since the foreign spouse remains overseas, there is no need for them to visit the immigration office in person. All document preparation and submission can be completed within Japan.

Depending on the circumstances, relatives of the Japanese spouse may assist, or certified specialists such as administrative scriveners may act as representatives. Especially in cases requiring detailed explanations, professional support in document structuring and statement preparation often leads to smoother examinations.

There is no publicly disclosed specific numerical income threshold for spouse visas.

Instead, immigration authorities comprehensively assess whether the couple can maintain a stable married life in Japan.

Evaluation includes not only income, but also savings, monthly expenses, housing stability, number of dependents, and future income prospects.

Therefore, even with modest income, cases are often approved when applicants can demonstrate overall household stability through savings, low living costs, or family support.

The examination period for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) varies depending on application content, timing, and immigration office workload. While one to three months is often cited as a general guideline, not all cases conclude within this timeframe.

Cases requiring explanations regarding short dating periods, income, or housing may involve requests for additional documents, resulting in longer examination periods.

Applicants should refer to the monthly statistics published by the Immigration Services Agency and always apply with sufficient scheduling margin. Additionally, after COE issuance, visa applications at overseas missions may take several days to two weeks.

As a general rule, obtaining a COE overseas and entering Japan with a visa is the standard and safest approach.

Changing status from a short-term stay (tourist visa) to “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” is considered not permitted in principle, and is allowed only as an exceptional measure in unavoidable circumstances.

Choosing this route solely to “start living together sooner” carries the risk of refusal and the need to leave Japan again.

Even when entry is urgent, it is essential to carefully evaluate the optimal route from the perspective of approval likelihood, future renewals, and long-term residence planning.

9. Cases of Inviting a Spouse to Japan Using a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”

When inviting a spouse from overseas to Japan, the starting point is applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) under the status of residence “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National.” In this section, we introduce cases in which permission was granted by carefully organizing the schedule and documentation for inviting a foreign spouse residing overseas.

	VOL.177　Mr. M (Tunisia)
	[Approved Case] Acquisition of “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application

	Customer (from Google Reviews)
	[Approved Case] Acquisition of “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application

	VOL.166　Ms. A (China)
	[Approved Case] Acquisition of “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application

Click here for a summary of approved spouse visa cases

Voices from Our Clients on Google Reviews

10. For Those Considering Inviting an Overseas Spouse to Japan with a Spouse Visa

The procedures for obtaining a spouse visa (“Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”) to invite a spouse residing overseas to Japan vary greatly depending on each couple’s individual circumstances, including the required documents and key points that must be explained.

The history from dating to marriage, current living conditions and income structure, housing plans, and whether permanent residence is being considered in the future— how each of these elements is organized and communicated to immigration authorities has a direct impact on the examination outcome.

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, we do not focus solely on whether a COE can be obtained. We also take into account “when you can realistically begin living together in Japan,” “which application route is appropriate, including possible changes from short-term stay,” and “a sustainable approach that considers future permanent residence applications.”

You may start simply by organizing your current situation. Even if you are unsure where to begin, please feel free to consult us.

11. Support System of ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office

A spouse visa application is not only about collecting documents. It is essential to proactively align the entire set of materials by anticipating the points Immigration is likely to check.
From the initial planning stage, our office identifies potential risk factors and provides end-to-end support—covering submission order, supporting documents, and the overall strategy for the Statement of Reasons.

Nationwide support: Managed mainly via email and online. Clients outside the area receive the same quality of support.

Multilingual support: Consultations available in English and Chinese.

Clear progress tracking: Check application status and required documents through an online system.

Support for difficult cases: Extensive experience with cases likely to face closer scrutiny, including re-applications after denial.

Transparent fees: Clear fee structure designed to minimize unexpected additional charges.

Support even after a denial: If denied, we provide a free re-application and thorough support until approval.

Information security: We properly manage personal information under operations based on ISO27001.

Pages Often Read Together When Applying for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains the requirements for obtaining a spouse visa (marriage), working under a spouse visa, applying for permanent residency from a spouse visa, what happens in the event of divorce under a spouse visa, required documents, and more.

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National Renewal Procedures Guide

Renewal procedures for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa). An administrative scrivener explains the required document checklist, how to avoid denial cases, and key points to prove eligibility for obtaining a 3-year or 5-year period of stay.

Applying for Permanent Residency from a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

At ACROSEED, we have a proven track record not only with first-time spouse visa applications, but also with cases that were denied multiple times when filed by the applicant alone, as well as procedures for those with past legal violations or a history of overstaying—across a wide variety of situations.

For More Detailed Questions About the Spouse Visa System

Please explain the requirements for obtaining a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National in detail
Periods of stay for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Differences between 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years
Required documents & Statement of Reasons for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Key examination points and preparation tips (Latest Edition)
How to invite a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan with a COE
Can we apply for a Certificate of Eligibility while both spouses remain overseas?
Changing from a short-term visa to a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: General rules and exceptions
How to change from a student/work visa to a spouse visa
My spouse visa application was denied (COE not issued). Can I re-apply?