Changing from a Student or Work Visa to a Spouse Visa｜Spouse of Japanese National Visa Q&A

2. Key examination points (genuineness of marriage, living foundation, residence status)

(1) Genuineness of marriage: Showing the relationship history, cohabitation, and communication in chronological order

Immigration authorities focus on the substance of the marital relationship, not merely its formal existence. It is important that the process from the start of the relationship through marriage and planned or actual cohabitation is natural, and that explanations and evidence are consistent.

(2) Living foundation: Housing, income, and shared household finances

Whether the couple can maintain a stable life in Japan is a central point of examination. Prepare materials that clearly demonstrate housing (actual or planned cohabitation), income and savings, and how household expenses are supported.

(3) Residence status: Whether activities under the current status are lawful

Issues such as unauthorized part-time work during a student visa or job changes and duty changes under a work visa are important checkpoints. Whether the current situation is properly and lawfully organized will be carefully examined. If there are concerns, risks can sometimes be reduced by preparing clear explanations and supplementary documents before applying.

3. How to think about required documents (basic set + case-specific additions)

The required documents are generally based on the list provided on the Immigration Services Agency website; however, in practice, it is not uncommon that additional materials are needed to reinforce "genuineness of marriage," "living foundation," and "residence status".

(1) Basic set (typical examples)

• Family relationship: Family register (koseki tohon) showing the marriage, etc.
• Cohabitation / housing: Certificate of residence (juminhyo), lease agreement, explanation of planned cohabitation, etc.
• Livelihood: Tax certificate / proof of tax payment, certificate of employment, pay slips, copy of bankbook, etc.
• Marital relationship: Photos, travel history, communication records (SNS, etc.), materials explaining the relationship history
• Applicant documents: Residence card, passport, (if student: certificate of enrollment; if employed: employment-related documents)

(2) Cases where additional documents are often requested (examples)

• There is separate residence (temporary assignment, school-related reasons, family circumstances, etc.)
• The relationship period is short / the age gap is large / the shared language is limited
• Recent job change, income fluctuation, freelance work, etc., requiring an explanation of income
• It is necessary to explain part-time work during studies, or job duties under a work visa

What matters is not "submitting a lot," but rather anticipating points that may raise questions, explaining them in advance, and supporting them with evidence.

4. Application flow / examination period / special grace period (up to two months)

(1) Basic application flow

1. Organize the current situation (status of residence, activities, marriage situation, housing, income)
2. Collect required documents (basic + case-specific additions)
3. Prepare a written explanation and supplementary documents (only when necessary)
4. Apply for Permission to Change Status of Residence (submit to immigration)
5. Respond to requests for additional documents (if requested)
6. After approval: Update the residence card (new status of residence: "Spouse of Japanese National")

(2) Typical examination period

The examination period varies depending on timing, jurisdiction, and individual circumstances. Please check the latest average processing time below.

(3) Special grace period (up to two months) and important notes on work/activities

If the application is lawfully accepted within the period of stay, you may remain in Japan lawfully even after your period of stay expires, until a decision is made, under the special grace period (up to two months).

However, the special grace period is not a system to "extend the filing deadline." Filing within the period of stay is a prerequisite. Also, until permission is granted, it does not mean that you can engage in activities allowed under a spouse visa. In principle, during the special grace period, you should assume you will continue activities permitted under your current status of residence (for students: studies; for workers: work). Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to整理, such as requiring Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence for part-time jobs, etc., as before.

5. Q&A on Changing from Student/Work Visa to Spouse Visa

Yes. Those who are already residing in Japan on a mid- to long-term basis under a status such as Student (College Student) or Work (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, etc.) may apply to change to the status of residence "Spouse of Japanese National" through an Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence, if they meet the requirements.

However, it is not granted automatically solely based on the fact of marriage. It is important to consistently demonstrate, through documents and explanations, the genuineness of the marriage, the living foundation, and the lawfulness of the residence status.

Common examples include "Student," "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services," "Skilled Labor," and "Business Manager." On the other hand, for "Designated Activities," the conclusion may differ depending on the designated activity.

If you are unsure, it is safest to first design the application based on the status name written on your residence card and your current activities (school, employer, job duties).

In examinations for changing from a student/work visa to "Spouse of Japanese National," immigration does not only check whether a marriage has been registered. They comprehensively review, based on all submitted materials, "whether the couple has a genuine marital relationship," "whether they can maintain a stable life in Japan," and "whether there are no issues with past and current residence management".

In practice, the following four points are particularly important. Below is a整理 of what is commonly checked and examples of supporting documents for each point.

• Genuineness of the marriage (substance of the marital relationship)
  Immigration checks whether the relationship leading to marriage is natural and whether the couple continues to live and interact as spouses after marriage.
  Examples: written explanation of relationship history, cohabitation status, frequency of communication, meeting/travel history, photos, introductions to family/friends, SNS and call logs, etc.
• Living foundation (stability of life in Japan)
  Whether you can demonstrate sufficient income, housing, and unified household finances to sustain life as a married couple is key.
  Examples: housing documents (lease agreement, etc.), certificate of residence, income documents (tax certificate, withholding slip, etc.), savings, explanation of how expenses are shared
• Lawfulness of residence status (proper management of your stay)
  Immigration may also confirm part-time work conditions during studies, job duties and procedures after job changes under a work visa, and whether there are unpaid taxes or social insurance premiums, among other compliance matters.
  Examples: scope and actual work under permission for activities outside status, consistency of work content, tax/insurance payment status, notification history, etc.
• Consistency of explanations (coherence across documents)
  It is important that the application form, questionnaires, written explanations, and supporting materials connect without contradictions, including timelines and figures (addresses, employer, income, etc.).
  Examples: whether the flow from meeting → dating → cohabitation → marriage → current life is natural / whether there are any discrepancies in stated facts

Especially for changes from student/work visas, explanations about residence status and living foundation can vary greatly depending on the case. If there are risk factors (short relationship period, periods of separate residence, recent job change, large income fluctuations, etc.), strengthening with additional documents and strategically structuring a written explanation may affect the outcome.

If the application is lawfully accepted within the period of stay, you can continue to remain in Japan lawfully until a decision is made, under the special grace period (up to two months) provided by immigration law.

However, the special grace period is not a system to extend the filing deadline. It is a grace period for those who applied within the deadline to wait for the result. Applying at the last minute increases the risk of missing documents or insufficient explanations and may lead to closer scrutiny.

In general, the basics are: (1) proof of marriage (koseki, etc.), (2) evidence of the marital relationship (photos, travel history, communication records, etc.), (3) housing/cohabitation (certificate of residence, lease agreement, etc.), (4) livelihood (tax/payment/employment documents, etc.), and (5) personal documents (residence card, etc.).

For student cases, enrollment status is often checked; for work cases, job duties and stability of employment are often emphasized. Depending on the circumstances, supplementary documents and a written explanation may be effective.

If any of the following circumstances apply, the case may be subject to closer scrutiny and additional document requests.

• An extremely short relationship period, or weak explanation of the relationship history
• A long period of separate residence (insufficient reasons and supporting evidence)
• Recent job change, large income fluctuations, or weak explanation of financial support arrangements
• Concerns about part-time work compliance during studies, or consistency of work duties under a work visa

However, even with risk factors, cases can still be approved by structuring the explanations and supporting evidence. The key is to first identify what the risk factors are.

This page covers the route for those who are already in Japan and are changing their status of residence. If you are inviting a spouse who lives overseas, the main route is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Also, changing from a Temporary Visitor status often involves the legal principle and exceptional operation, and the points to note differ from changes from student/work visas. Choose the best route depending on your situation.

6. Approved Cases of Changing from a Student/Work Visa to a Spouse Visa

When changing to the status of residence “Spouse of Japanese National” while already residing in Japan, it is essential to structure your explanations according to your current status of residence and residence situation. In this section, we summarize cases in which a spouse visa was obtained through an Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence.

	VOL.176 Mr./Ms. S (United States)
	[Approved Case] Permission to Change from a Student Visa to a Spouse of Japanese National Visa

	VOL.40 Mr./Ms. Asami, Mr./Ms. Gao (China)
	[Approved Case] Permission to Change from a Student Visa to a Spouse of Japanese National Visa

	Customer (From Google Reviews)
	[Ongoing Support Case] Specified Skilled Worker Visa → Business Manager Visa → Spouse of Permanent Resident

Click here for a summary of approved Spouse of Japanese National visa cases

Customer Voices from Google Reviews

7. For Those Considering Changing from a Student/Work Visa to a Spouse Visa

While residing in Japan on a student visa or a work visa (such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services), many people marry a Japanese national and consider changing their status of residence to “Spouse of Japanese National” (spouse visa).

Changing from a student/work visa to a spouse visa is, in principle, a common procedure under the system; however, depending on your current activities under your existing status of residence and the stability of your life in Japan, the way you structure your documents and what you emphasize in your explanations can change significantly.

In particular, many people feel concerned about the following points:

• Consistency with permitted activities under your current status: Whether you can naturally explain the transition from your student/work situation to life as a spouse
• Timing of the application: Whether you should file a change-of-status application before your period of stay expires, or whether a renewal is more appropriate
• Genuineness of marriage and stability of life: Whether you can demonstrate cohabitation, income, and how living expenses are shared with objective evidence
• Case-specific precautions: Still enrolled in school / recently changed jobs / unstable income / a period of separate residence / a prior denial, etc.

If you are unsure how to proceed, it is important to first clarify "whether now is the appropriate time to change from your current status to a spouse visa", and then determine the submission timing and priority order of required documents. The more you can plan in advance, the smoother and more reasonable your application process will be.

8. 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?