The TranSenz Guide to Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility and Spouse Visa for Japan
This guide is a follow-up to our guide to Getting Legally Married in Japan and is based on a translation of Sawa’s original article, 国際結婚手続き 配偶者ビザ編.
An updated version of this guide, including step-by-step instructions, translations and annotations of all required materials, and sample forms is now available for purchase in your choice of ebook formats.
I wrote this guide based on my own experience. Sawa and I were living together in Bangkok, Thailand when we decided to move back to Japan so we had to rely heavily on my parents-in-law in Japan for assistance. You will need someone in Japan to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) on your behalf- whether that be family or an attorney. I will walk you through what that person needs to do as much as possible.
Difference Between Certificate of Eligibility and Visa
Even though the title of this article says “Spouse Visa,” the first and most difficult step is acquiring the “Certificate of Eligibility,” (CoE) or 在留資格認定証明書 (zairyu shikaku nintei shomeisho). The CoE takes anywhere from 1-3 months to acquire. Once you have it in hand, applying for your visa takes about one week.
A CoE is essentially a mandatory prerequisite to applying for your visa, no matter what type of visa you want. It is technically possible to apply for a visa without a CoE, but you will have to submit all of the same documents that you would submit for the CoE, plus a convincing explanation as to why you couldn’t apply for the CoE first. In this case, you are basically applying for both CoE and visa simultaneously but, since the CoE process is conducted only in Japan, all of your documents will have to be mailed back and forth, lengthening your application process significantly especially if there are any mistakes in your application.
The Immigration Bureau has Certificate of Eligibility application instructions on its website, but we learned during application that the instructions in English and the instructions in Japanese are, in fact, vastly different in specificity. If you follow only the English procedures, you’ll likely wind up in months of tsuika shorui (追加書類) hell. Tsuika shorui means submitting additional documents and accounts for the reason the process takes 1 to 3 months: One month if you follow the Japanese directions (or my translation, below). Three months if you content yourself with the English explanation and then submit supplemental documents, one-by-one.
Certificate of Eligibility Application Documents (English and Japanese)
| English List | Japanese List | Japanese list translation |
|---|---|---|
| Application form [PDF] or Application form [Excel] | 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書 [PDF] 1通 or 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書 [Excel] |
(same) |
| Photos (4cm×3cm) 1 copy (The photos must be clear enough without background, must be taken within 6 months before the application procedure and cover upper body with uncovered head.) | 写真（縦４cm×横３cm） １葉 ※ 申請前６か月以内に正面から撮影された無帽，無背景で鮮明なもの。 ※ 写真の裏面に申請人の氏名を記載し，申請書の写真欄に貼付して下さい。 |
Photos (4cm×3cm) 1 copy *The photos must be clear enough without background, must be taken within 6 months before the application procedure and cover upper body with uncovered head. *Write applicant’s name on the reverse of the photo and paste it to the appropriate place on the application. |
| A return-mail envelope affixed with stamp(s) worth 404 yen (for the recorded delivery purpose) | 404円切手（簡易書留用）を貼付した返信用封筒 ※ 返信用封筒には，あらかじめ宛先を記載して下さい。 |
Return-mail envelope with a 404 yen stamp (for registered mail) *Return address should be clearly written on the envelope (Note: this is for domestic post, within Japan) |
| Documents certifying that the person concerned is a spouse of the Japanese national and the copy of his or her resident card. | 配偶者（日本人）の方の戸籍謄本 １通 ※ 戸籍謄本に，婚姻事実の記載がない場合には，戸籍謄本に加え婚姻届出受理証明書の提出をしていただきます。 ※ 発行日から３か月以内のものを提出して下さい。 |
Japanese spouse’s Koseki Tohon 1 copy *If the marriage is not recorded in the Koseki Tohon, then a Certificate of Acceptance of Application for Marriage must additionally be submitted. *Documents must be issued within three months of the application. |
| 日本人の方の世帯全員の記載のある住民票の写し １通 ※ 発行日から３か月以内のものを提出して下さい。 |
Residence Registration Certificate (Juminhyo) of the Japanese spouse, showing all family members. *Documents must be issued within three months of the application |
|
| Documents certifying that the profession and the income of the person concerned or his or her spouse. | 配偶者（日本人）の住民税の納税証明書（１年間の総収入、課税額及び納税額が記載されたもの。） １通 ※ ただし、納税証明書に総収入、課税額及び納税額の記載がない場合は、課税証明書及び納税証明書の提出をしていただきます。 ※ 発行日から３か月以内のものを提出して下さい。 |
Japanese Spouse’s Certificate of Receipt of Juminzei (Residence Tax) Payment, that shows both the amount of tax and amount of payment for one entire year, 1 copy. *If the Residence Tax certificate does not show both the amount of tax and the amount of payment received, then separate certificates of taxation and of payment must be submitted *Documents must be issued within three months of application. |
| A letter of guarantee by the person living in Japan. (PDF) | 配偶者（日本人）の身元保証書 １通 [Japanese] or 配偶者（日本人）の身元保証書 １通 [English] or ※ 身元保証人には，日本に居住する配偶者(日本人)になっていただきます。 |
Letter of Guarantee written by the Japanese Spouse. *This letter must be filled out by the spouse if they are residing in Japan |
| A document that proves the status (if a legal representative or agent submits the application form on behalf of the applicant) | 代理人の身分を証する文書等 | Documents proving the identity and validity of the proxy, if necessary. |
| (No instructions provided in English) | 申請人の国籍国（外国）の機関から発行された結婚証明書 １通 ※ 申請人の方が，韓国籍等で，戸籍謄本が発行される場合には，お二方の婚姻が記載された外国機関発行の戸籍謄本の提出でも差し支えありません。 |
Wedding Certificate issued by the foreign spouse’s country, 1 copy *If the applicant’s country also issues family registers (e.g. Korea), then a copy of the family register showing the marriage may be submitted instead. |
| 質問書[PDF] １通 | Questionnaire Form The form is also available in other languages, but if written in another language, it must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. |
|
| スナップ写真（夫婦で写っており，容姿がはっきり確認できるもの）２~３葉 | Snapshots of the husband and wife together that clearly indicate married relationship, 2-3 photos |
This chart is meant to show that, while the English site’s general descriptions give the false impression that a wide range of documents might be acceptable, they are in fact looking for very specific proofs- proofs that would not be immediately obvious to anyone who hasn’t done this before. I will go over each of these requirements in more detail below.
One more piece of advice on turning in documents: If you require an exception to a particular condition- for example, your spouse does not have proof of residence tax payment because s/he is not employed in Japan, call the immigration bureau nearest your spouse’s hometown ahead of time to confirm what would be accepted as an alternative. Also, tell your representative in Japan to insist on turning in every document that you have prepared. The person at the desk may say that they are not all necessary, but our experience is that the person who told us that was wrong. If you have been told at any point (over the phone, etc.), or remotely suspect, that a particular document is necessary, turn it in, regardless of the desk worker’s protests. In our case, a document that was determined to be “unnecessary” at the desk, was requested by phone less than 24 hours later. Our parents, who had driven over an hour each way to the Immigration Bureau the day before had to drive back to turn it in again.
Applying for a CoE When Husband and Wife are Both Overseas
It’s easier to apply for the CoE if your Japanese spouse is working in Japan and has an established record of working there. But, if that were your case, you probably wouldn’t need this guide. If both you and your Japanese spouse are working overseas or if your Japanese spouse is in Japan but not working, the process requires a few extra steps, and a lot of mail between you and your representatives in Japan.
If your Japanese spouse is also working overseas, s/he will not have a current Juminzei and will not be able to fill in the letter of guarantee. You will also need a proxy applicant. According to the Immigration Office’s website, family members of either spouse who are legally resident in Japan can serve as the proxy. If you do not have family members in Japan, then a person with a letter of attorney or a legal scrivener can apply on your behalf.
Before You Apply: Are You Changing your Name?
If, following your marriage, either partner wants to change their legal name, do so before continuing with the CoE process (and make sure to update your name in the Japanese spouse’s Koseki!), so that you have the same legal name throughout your paperwork. Since we were moving to Japan, I decided to adopt my wife’s Japanese name. Laws on name changes vary by country (and US State), but I was able to change mine with no more documentation than a certified translation of our wedding certificate.
Important: If you change to a Japanese last name, know that you are not legally allowed to use kanji to write your name. You must continue write your name in English letters! I screwed this up and it has caused me no end of trouble.
Application Documents in Detail
Attention to detail and accuracy are absolutely critical in Japan, whether you’re applying for a CoE, college admission, or a job at Seven Eleven, so be extremely careful! Careless errors will lead to delays or possibly rejection of your application. Fill in forms digitally when possible. If using a pen, make sure it is a black, ball-point pen, and write in all capital letters. Forms will be rejected over the use of blue pen. To make corrections, do not use correction fluid. Draw a double line through the mistake and write the correction above it.
Documents below are listed in the order that they appear on the Japanese checklist. Japanese bureaucrats like it when documents are submitted in order, with multi-page documents joined by paperclips, not staples. (The first thing anyone will have to do with your document is to remove the staples to make photocopies, and careless staple removal may physically damage your application. I’ve seen it happen.)
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility
Download from: the Immigration Bureau website. Be careful, as there are different forms for different visa types!
Notes for completing the application:
- The “Regional Immigration Bureau” is the regional HQ, not the branch office to at which you plan to apply. For example of your representative in Japan will apply in Kyoto, the regional bureau is Osaka. You can find a list of the regions and their offices on the Immigration Bureau website.
- “Nationality” in Japan means “country of nationality”. For example, “America” is correct, “American” is not. Your application is not going to get rejected over this, though.
- “Name”: Refer to the line near the bottom of the information page of your passport. You should see a code like: P<USATRANSENZ<<TRAVIS<TARO<<<. Ignore the three-letter country code (USA in the example) and write your name in the exact order it appears. Everything before the double < is your “last name” and everything after it is your “first name.” Japan considers middle names to be part of your first name.
Vietnamese applicants: Write your name in this order, even if the last name in the list is your “first name.”
Thai applicants: The “last name” field in your passport may show Mr. or Miss, but do not write that as part of your name! - “Place of Birth” and “Hometown”: If these appear in your passport, then what you write in the application must match the passport. Otherwise, write the name of the city and country.
- “Occupation” should be your job before emigrating to Japan, regardless of your intended profession once you enter the country.
- “Address in Japan” and phone numbers: Enter the address of the person who is applying on your behalf (with their concurrence, of course).
- “Accompanying Persons”: Write the number and their relationship. (i.e. Wife and 2 children, total 3 persons.) If you have none, write “None”
- “Family in Japan”: It is only necessary to enter your wife or children if they are already in Japan. If you have no immediate family in Japan, write “none.”
- If you got married under Japanese law, like we did, you may not have had to register your marriage legally in your home country. Leave question 22(2) blank.
- Fill in Section 27 with your proxy’s information and have them sign. Section 28 is only necessary if you’re having a lawyer, etc., file for you.
2. Japanese spouse’s Koseki Tohon
If you were married outside of Japan and your marriage has not been entered in your Japanese spouse’s Koseki, you will need both the Koseki and a Wedding Certificate (with translation, if the certificate is not Japanese). The Koseki will have to be acquired from your spouse’s hometown city hall and the wedding certificate from wherever you legally registered your wedding.
These documents are there to prove your relationship to your spouse. Even if your marriage is not recorded in the Koseki Tohon, you still have to submit it. . . in order to prove that your marriage is not recorded therein, otherwise your alternative documentation might not be accepted. Yes, this is as ridiculous as it sounds.
3. Wedding Certificate issued by Foreign Applicant’s home country
If you are from a country that has a similar family register system (e.g. Korea), then a Koseki-equivalent, that shows the marriage will also suffice.
If you were married under Japanese law and are from a country that doesn’t issue any certification for marriages conducted under foreign law (such as the US), write a note titled “Foreign Wedding Certificate” and explain in one-to-two sentences that your country does not issue them. Have your spouse translate this into Japanese and sign it.
4. Japanese Spouse’s Certificate of Juminzei (Residence Tax) Payment
This serves as the “Proof of occupation and income.” Specifically, Immigration is looking for proof of employment (sufficient funds to support your lifestyle) in Japan. Tax records overseas aren’t sufficient here, since it’s assumed that overseas employment will no longer be valid once you’re living in Japan. If both spouses lack employment records in Japan, you will need a Japanese sponsor, such as a parent-in-law, to submit their Juminzei and act as your sponsor (this person incurs additional paperwork responsibilities, too, including your Letter of Guarantee).
If neither you or your spouse have income in Japan, and you have no family in Japan to provide this certificate on your behalf, contact the Immigration Bureau directly to find out what to submit.
For maximum coverage, you could also submit your overseas employment records, accompanied by an explanation of exchange rates and what the same/ similar job would pay in Japan (we did). However, submitting these documents alone will not be sufficient.
Juminzei records are issued in June and refer to the 12-month period that ended with the preceding December, so you/your spouse would have to be employed full-time in Japan a minimum of 18 months, if you timed it perfectly, in order to have a report that covered one full year. In some cases, a Certificate of Employment (在職証明書, Zaishoku Shomeisho) and Tax and withholdings report (源泉徴収票, Gensenchoshuhyo) may be an acceptable substitute. As always, make sure you get approval for substitutes before trying to submit your package.
5. Letter of Guarantee written by the Japanese Spouse
Even though it clearly says “written by the Japanese Spouse,” the spouse is ineligible to fill out the letter if they are not living in Japan. The Letter of Guarantee must be written by a Japanese citizen who is working inside the country. Generally speaking, whoever submitted the Juminzei for your application should also fill out this letter.
6. Residence Certificate (Juminhyo) of the Japanese spouse, showing all family members
If your Japanese spouse is not residing in Japan, they will not be able to get a Residence Certificate, so you will need to submit the Juminhyo for whoever provided documents 3 and 4, above. At this point, you may want to also consider getting this person a thank-you gift.
7. Questionnaire Form
Get ready for an invasion of privacy unlike anything you have experienced outside of a counterintelligence interrogation cell. This sneaky form doesn’t show up on the English checklist, and does not appear to exist in English. It has to be filled out in Japanese, so you’ll likely be turning to your spouse to fill it out.
According to the instructions at the top of the form, this is an important form for consideration of your application, all answers should be as detailed as possible, and any falsehoods will result in the rejection of your application for a COE.
The foreigner is the “Applicant” (申請者 , shinseisha) and the Japanese Spouse is the “Spouse” (配偶者, haigusha). Here is the information you will need to enter:
- Applicant’s nationality, name, and sex.
Spouse’s name with furigana, nationality, address, phone number, household members
Spouse’s type of housing (owned/rented), monthly rent, and number of rooms (in LDK format)
Spouse’s employer (including address and phone), position, and date he/she started working there.
*In this case, fill out the spouse’s information, regardless of whose documents you turned in for 3-5, above. - When, where, and how you first met and a detailed explanation of your relationship up to the date of your marriage. Include dates and be as detailed as possible. You may attach additional sheets, as necessary, and may also attach photos, letters, and international phone bills to verify your statements. (We did not attach any of the latter).
Were you formally introduced (matching service, etc.)? If applicable, enter all of the following:
Nationality, name, sex, birthday, address, phone number, residence card number of your match-maker
Date, location, and method of your formal matching introduction
Relationship between the applicant and the matchmaker as well as the relationship between the spouse and the matchmaker, in detail. Writing “friend” or “work colleague,” is not sufficient. - What language do you use in your home?
What are the applicant’s and spouse’s native languages?
To what degree do you understand each other’s native languages?
If the applicant understands Japanese, describe in detail where and when he or she studied it.
When you can’t understand one another’s language, how do you make yourselves understood? (If you use an interpreter, the interpreter’s details are necessary) - If you were married under Japanese law, fill in your witnesses’ information.
- Fill in the details of your wedding ceremony/reception, if you held one.
- Fill in information about the applicant’s/spouse’s previous marriages, if applicable.
- Fill in the number of times, dates of, and reasons for the applicant’s previous visits to Japan. If the applicant previously resided in Japan, then the “reason” should refer to the residence status at that time.
- Fill in the number of times and dates of the spouse’s visits to the applicant’s home country, before & after marriage.
- Has the applicant ever been deported (received a deportation order) from Japan?
If yes, fill in the reason, date, your passport information at that time, and whether you and your spouse had lived together in a married state before that time. - Fill in details of the husband’s family, wife’s family, and your children, including relationship, name, age, address (enter “dead” for deceased relatives), and phone number. If you have no children together, you must enter “none” (なし) in table (2)
- Circle the family members that are aware of your marriage.
8. Snapshots of you as a couple.
Two to three standard-size photos that clearly show both husband and wife and indicate that you are a couple.
9. Application photograph
4 cm high by 3 cm wide, showing head and shoulders face-on, with no hat or head cover and no background. Pictures must be taken within the past six months, have the applicant’s name on the reverse, and be glued to the appropriate place on the application form. Japanese bureaucrats will compare the photo you submit to your passport photo and any other photos of you they have and check the dates to see if they can prove that the photo is more than six months old. If they determine that it’s too old, your application will be held up until they get a new photo.
10. Self-addressed envelope with at 404 yen in stamps (thanks to reader Iifu for pointing out the price change with the recent tax hike!)
You must apply for the COE within Japan, so there is no provision here for an international reply. Once again, you’ll have to rely on your domestic sponsor to receive your documents and forward them to you by EMS, etc.
11. Other
Other items may be necessary, depending on your situation.
- Your Guarantor’s inkan (personal seal). Alternatively, the guarantor can simply seal the document in advance, but if your guarantor is Japanese, the chances are good he/she carries his seal everywhere, anyway. A Ginko-in is sufficient (but a shachihata, rubber stamp, will not be accepted).
- If you are applying by way of a proxy, documents that prove the proxy’s relationship and suitability to serve in that position.
In the case of Spouse Visa, acceptable proxies include family members. Your proxy’s Juminhyo (if it shows the relationship) and government ID should be sufficient. If your proxy is your guarantor, they they’re already submitting their Juminhyo anyway.
If a lawyer or legal scrivener is applying for you, you’ll need a letter of attorney or contract, in Japanese, of course. But then, the lawyer or scrivener ought to be able to supply that. - Anything else that is arbitrarily determined to be necessary at any time during the evaluation of your application.
Submitting Your Application
The decision on where to submit your applicant will depend on your location: if you reside in Japan, or your spouse/proxy’s location. It is rumored that the more distant the Regional Office is from major cities/ concentrations of foreigners, the faster it will be able to process your application, but it really depends on the office’s backlog at any given time. It is certainly best to avoid areas that have a lot of international college students in the Feb-Mar and Jul-Aug time frames, as these offices tend to get flooded with applications from the area colleges.
In our case, we applied to the Sendai Regional Office during January and got approval within a month, despite a few delays that resulted from the Immigration Office flip-flopping on whether certain documents were necessary (insist on turning in everything, regardless of the desk clerk’s opinion).
My mother-in-law did all the running back and forth to the Immigration Office (an hour drive each way) and my father-in-law provided all the necessary certificates. Without their help, this process would have been even more of a nightmare, so I am eternally grateful!
Validity Period and Entering Japan
Check the validity period on your Certificate of eligibility- it should be 3 months from the date of issue. You have to be in Japan before the CoE expires, so get going on your visa application and travel arrangements right away! The last thing you want to do is go through all that work a second time, right? (Thanks to Vernon Reid for pointing out that this should be in here.)
Now, it’s time for the Visa
The Certificate of Eligibility is the hard part, so once that’s done, only a simple application and a week or so of waiting stands between you and your visa! Generally, Japanese embassy websites will tell you that the visa application process takes 1-3 months, but that is assuming that you don’t have a Certificate of Eligibility and are completing both processes at once. If you have a CoE, then the visa will be a breeze.
In most places, you’ll apply directly to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for your visa, following the instructions on their website. In Bangkok, however, the Embassy has contracted out management of the application process to a private, Thai-owned business called the Japan Visa Application Center. I assume this is due to the volume of applications received in Thailand. The JVAC office was larger and busier than many travel agencies I have seen, and appeared quite profitable, despite charging about 500 baht for their services.
*Trusting my passport in the hands of a private Thai business seemed like a risky proposition to me, based on past experiences, but when I called the Embassy to ask if the business was trustworthy, they got offended at my question. The JVAC is on the up-and-up, so don’t be worried.
Requirements for the Visa Application
Fortunately, there are no sneaky differences between the Japanese and English explanations here. The visa application process is straightforward and simple and takes about a week to complete.
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Applicant’s Passport
- 5 cm by 5 cm ID-style photo (see above for description and warnings
- Visa Application Form
- (Another) Questionnaire
*Whether or not this questionnaire is necessary seems to depend on the country from which you are applying, rather than your nationality. The primary purpose of this questionnaire appears to be a weak effort to stop Trafficking in Persons (TiP). - Visa fees (There are no fees for Americans, but if there are fees for your country, don’t get upset- fees are based on your country’s visa treaty with Japan, and whether or not your country charges visa fees to Japanese.)
If you want more detail, an updated version of this guide, including step-by-step instructions, translations and annotations of all required materials, and sample forms is now available for purchase in your choice of ebook formats.
Single- or Multiple-Entry?
It doesn’t matter. Once you’re in Japan, you’ll get a residence card that will double as a re-entry permit for almost all situations. Multiple entry only matters if your period of stay in Japan is 90 days or lesss, because you don’t get a residence card in that case. Not a problem for Spouses.
Congratulations! It’s time to book your flight!
If you’ve been following our guides from the beginning, you’ve probably been working on this process for nearly three months, or so, beginning with your international marriage. Now, you’re finally ready to move to Japan! お疲れ様です!
If you found this guide useful or if you have anything that you think we should add, please let me know in the comments below!
Hello! I’m actually 3months pregnant and have no work…I have long term visa. I’m planning to go back to Japan to apply for CoE for my husband who is a filipino also but my problem is I don’t have work. Is it possible or is there any way I could still have CoE? Coz in the application for CoE employment is needed. please help. thank you
Dear Anne,
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
When you say “long term visa,” what type of visa do you have? If it is “permanent resident,” then you can use this guide, but if you have another visa type, then you would have to apply for a “Dependent” CoE for your husband.
As for your work, if you are not working, then you should fill in the information of whoever is financially supporting you and their work/finance information in the appropriate field.
It sounds like your situation is outside the normal circumstances, so I would recommend that you go to the Immigration Bureau and try to get some advice for your specific case.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you? I’m a 3rd generation with 3yrs visa. anyway, how about applying CoE for my husband…is it okay if I will not update my civil status on my passport and alien card from single to married and change my family name? will it not affect my husband’s application for visa in the philippines?And,..(sorry so many question?) does he really need to have a CoE in applying spouse visa? I’m actually looking for a faster way to get my husband in japan ang live together as a family. Thank you
Hi Anne,
If you’re on a 3-year visa, then your husband isn’t eligible for a “Spouse” visa. “Spouse” is short for “Spouse of Japanese National” or “Spouse of Permanent Resident.”
In your case, you need to get him a CoE for a “Dependent” Visa. The good news is that is much easier to apply for!
It should not be a problem if you do not change your name. Actually, it may be better if your name and his name are both the same as it is on your marriage certificate. I think it should be OK if you don’t change your civil status either, as long as you have the marriage certificate to prove you are married. But you should probably double-check with the immigration bureau, just to be safe!
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
what if my husband’s name on his birth cert and passport differs? the difference is on his birth cert 1 name only but in his passport 2 names. Will they accept affidavit stating they are the same person in applying his CoE and visa?
Hi Wilma,
I’m not sure why you would be submitting your husband’s birth certificate. It isn’t one of the required documents (I know I never submitted it). If you don’t have to submit it, then that wouldn’t be a problem.
If the immigration bureau asked you to submit it as an additional document or something, please let me know.
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
hi guys , I married to a filipina resident in japan we apply for my COE 3 and half month ago and still waiting its been a long time
to be honest i am worried my wife call immigration and they said wait , so waiting but i am worried , any advice pls ??? because its too long.
Hi Sohail,
I’ve never heard of it taking that long unless there were missing documents or a problem with the application.
The Immigration Bureau website says that the standard processing time is one month to three months, so I would recommend having your wife call back (or visit) and say that more than three months have passed, so she is “concerned that there might have been a problem or something she needed to fix.” Sometimes you will have more success if you sound like you’re worried that you made a mistake.
I hope you hear back soon!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you! Big Help! 🙂
Hello, I’m so sorry to comment my question on someone else’s comment, I can’t find the comment button for whatever reason. I was wondering if you might be able to help me with an issue I have 🙂
Basically, I’m British, I’m a student at a language school learning Japanese and I have so far been in Japan one year, and by the time I would like to marry my boyfriend, I will have been in Japan for 2 years. However, around next April, he will graduate university and start working (he’s job hunting right now). He asked me if he needs to have been working for some amount of time before we are able to apply for the spouse visa. Is this true? He thinks that he has to have worked for either a number of years, or be earning an amount so high that would take a couple of years to get to that kind of salary. I understand this as I read that the Japanese national will be marked down legally as the sole supporter, thus having to prove income etc. However, my current guarantor is my mother, who lives in England. Will she continue to be able to be my guarantor? Thus making it less pressure for my partner to have to support the both of us? I will likely be receiving funds from her for a while first anyway until I start working, but I’m wondering if this can be legally put down as her being a guarantor and thus be applicable to the CoE application? I’m planning on doing an open university degree while I am in Japan (university itself in Japan is too expensive for me at the moment) and after I have obtained my degree I’ll be aiming to work in the translation / interpretation side of business, or teaching. However of course I will look to work while I am doing my degree and living in Japan, as I know you can get any job when on a spouse visa.
So simplified, the questions I’m asking are as follows:
– Does my boyfriend have to be earning over a certain amount of money/working for a certain amount of time before being eligible?
– Can my mother, who lives in England, be my guarantor?
– Can the spouse visa be applicable to someone who is 23 years of age, and has graduated and started work in the same year that the visa is applied for?
Hi Megan,
Your “Guarantor” and “Financial Sponsor” can be two different people. Your guarantor is a Japanese national who will take responsibility for ensuring you follow Japanese laws and that you leave the country when your Period of Stay is over (if you don’t renew it, that is). Financially, they’d be an emergency backup.
If your boyfriend doesn’t have a job/salary by the time you apply, then one of his parents would be best to serve as your Guarantor.
There is another section where you list your financial sponsor – which can be your own savings, a sponsor in Japan, or a sponsor in another country. That is where you would list your mother and the amount of funding you receive from her on a monthly basis.
Your boyfriend wouldn’t need a minimum income amount, but a lower income might result in a shorter “period of stay” so you’d have to renew your period of stay earlier.
Your mother can be your financial sponsor, but not your Guarantor.
There are no age restrictions for the spouse visa, so long as you’re old enough to legally marry (you are, based on your comment).
By the way, national and public universities in Japan are quite cheap in terms of tuition and many have tuition reduction or exemption plans, too. Don’t count yourself out too soon! A university degree will put you in a lot better position in Japanese society.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Dear Sir / Madam,
I wish you are fine and doing well.I am going to marry from my girlfriend ( marriage will be done in her country Indonesia ), I hold an Egyptian nationality and I am currently live in Cairo,Egypt and she lives in Japan from 2011 until now doing her PHD study, she holding indonesian nationality and on her passport contain student visa.
so, what we need to do to go and live with her in Japan , we need the right steps to finish this process successfully.
Best Regards,
Ahmed
Hi Ahmed,
You need to get a “Dependent” Certificate of Eligibility, which is actually a lot easier than the “Spouse” Certificate, above. All you need for supporting documents is proof of your marriage and proof of your wife’s financial support.
Your wife can go to the nearest immigration bureau and get some more advice for exactly what kind of financial documentation she needs. If she is on a scholarship, then proof of the scholarship should be good enough.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi , Guys i need some help , I already applied my COE and its already over 3 months and still waiting for my COE when my wife call the immigration they are saying wait we will let you know by mail , so my question is why they are taking so long and 2nd question is there any COE Rejection chances or No ??? please advice thanks.
Hi Sohail,
I’ve never heard of the application taking that long unless there were problems like missing documents, etc.
I think it is possible for your CoE to be rejected if, for example, you were deported from Japan in the past or have a criminal record or something like that, but I have never heard of it actually happening.
Maybe someone else here has some better information for you?
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
I’m a Filipna with permanent residence and I’m planning to get married under Japanese law in city hall near us my boyfriend is Turkish and his visa right now is refugee , what are the requirements to change his visa become permanent in Japan ?
Hi Maria,
After you get married, he should be able to change his status to “Spouse of Permanent Resident.” I don’t know if there are special considerations that apply to “Refugee” status holders, though, so you should double-check that with the immigration bureau.
You can get the application form for “Change of Status of Residence” on the immigration bureau website at: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html
The supporting documents should be the same as the ones I listed in this post.
He won’t be able to apply for permanent residency himself until he meets the requirements for that application, which includes having the “Spouse” status for the longest Period of Stay possible (5 years) and being at the end of that period of stay.
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi there. Thanks for all the information. It seems like it’s tailored towards those applying from outside Japan. I currently have a ryugaku visa for a PhD program and have been living in Japan since 2011. I would like to switch to a spouse visa (been married for over a year and a half, with a son).What would be different for me when applying in Japan? Would it be easier or more difficult? I’d like to get the process started as I may have to leave my PhD program and I don’t want to be caught without a visa. Thanks.
Hi Shawn,
You’re right, I wrote this primarily for applicants outside of Japan, but the procedure and documentation required for changing to a spouse residence status is almost identical to the visa process. The application form is very slightly different in form, but other than that, all the information and documentation should be the same.
You can find the instructions to change your status at:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html
And a (more or less useless) table of required documents for spouse status at:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/Table3-1.html
(match the table on that site to the one in the article above, and that should help clarify it some!) If you are comfortable with Japanese, the detailed list is at:
http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/ZAIRYU_HENKO/zairyu_henko1.html
It’s practically identical to the list above (though you’ll need your passport and residence card, too.)
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi. In number 26 Guarantor, do I stillneed to fill this up if my method of support is myself and my Japanese spouse which already elucidated in 25?
Also in number 23, should I fill this up? I do have work waiting for me there but I’m worried indicating that here will slow things down because they will have to check. Is this number even appropriate for Japanese spouse condition or does this apply only to the other forms of application?
Hi Crew,
I’m sorry it took me so long to reply. I completely missed your comment in the queue.
Yes, you do need to fill in Question 26 (your spouse, most likely). The guarantor is not just your financial backer, but the person who claims overall responsibility for you in Japan. That person is also the person who will write the Letter of Guarantee that you have to submit.
Filling in #23 won’t hurt you, especially if you have documentation of the job waiting for you. As far as I know, Immigration isn’t going to call to confirm every last detail. As long as you have plenty of support coming in from all your sources and a guarantor, you should be fine. Filling it in shows that you’re proactive and seeking additional ways to support yourself, and that looks good.
Good luck with your application!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi, can you pls advise me what I should do?!? I am a Singaporean, spouse of a Japanese, married for about 7 years and have 2 kids. We moved back to Japan for good since 2012 Nov. I gotten my spouse visa renewed twice already, and now my spouse visa is 3years period. For my case, can I apply for Japan PR?!? I need to be a PR in order to get a higher house loan from the bank~ ;(
Dear Vivian,
I really have to get around to writing my Permanent Residency guide for this site.
It sounds to me like you should be eligible, but I would check with the Immigration Bureau, first.
As a Spouse of Japanese National, the requirements for Permanent Residency are lower. You only need to have been living in Japan for three years (as opposed to 10 for other statuses), but you have to have the longest possible Period of Stay for a Spouse and be about 6 months away from the end of that stay to be eligible.
Depending on when you last renewed your Spouse Residence Status, your maximum stay might have been 3 years (in which case you’re eligible) or 5 years. If you got a 3 year period of stay when 5 was the maximum, I would go talk to the nearest immigration bureau office and ask them if you are eligible. It’s a little unclear how this condition applies after the change in maximum period of stay, so their advice is going to be the best information.
If you can, please let us know what they tell you!
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello Good day.
I am a filipino, also a spouse of a japanese. We had our marriage last November 2015 in tokyo, and we haven’t file COE yet and the certificate of marriage in my home country is not yet available. We’re planning to get another visa for me so i can go there this coming March. Is it possible for me to apply a tourist/relative visa? coz’ I cannot have a spouse visa concerning that I dont have a coe yet. Hoping for a helpful advice. Thank you
Hi Anne,
Anyone can apply for a tourist visa, but once you’re in Japan you may not be able to change that to a spouse visa, even if you get the CoE in the mean time. In most cases that I have heard of, people have been able to change from tourist status to Spouse Residence Status inside Japan if they had a CoE, but it depends on the Immigration Bureau’s decision.
You cannot extend a tourist/relative visit visa, either, so if you don’t get your CoE issued while you’re in Japan, you would have to leave and try again.
If you can, I recommend waiting until you can at least start the CoE application process before you come to Japan.
A previous poster, Niferam, had some advice for Filipinos who want to get their marriage certificate from the PSA faster, so I’d recommend reading that comment!
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
I’ve the certificate of eligibility and all other documents. i’m applying for Working visa as my company of japan employed me…but the embassy wants Bank statement and certificate of employment… but i am fresh graduate and i don’t have any bank account or certificate of employment.
now the embassy wants Explanation letters for these two. i have submitted the Explanation letter. but the embassy told me to give details and proper .Explanation letter.
how to write proper Explanation letter for not having the documents? please help me…can anyone give me sample please..
Hi Khandakar,
If you have a company employing you in Japan, why aren’t they able to give you a Certificate of Employment or salary statement?
I would suggest saying that the company has agreed to employ you and sponsored your Certificate of Eligibility, but they cannot give you any formal documentation of your employment until you arrive in Japan and sign the employment contract.
If you have zero money of your own and no certificate of employment or salary, then I would suggest that you find a family member in your home country who is willing to say that they are your financial sponsor and submit their bank account statement for you.
I’ve never dealt with a working visa before, but I hope someone else out there can give you some good advice.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi
Would you know if the process is different if it is re-application?
I once lived in Japan on a spouse visa. So I did all these requirements before (get a COE, get a visa etc.). Since then we moved out of Japan. Now I am moving back to Japan, wife is already there. Do I need to go through the process all over again? Or are their requirements I no longer need to do, or documents I no longer need to submit? Was hoping maybe I no longer need the COE.
Hi Estevan,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if your previous Status of Residence expired, you’re going to need to start from scratch.
If your status is still valid, you can renew. If you’re only a month or so expired, you might be able to appeal to the Immigration Bureau to renew instead applying from the start. But if your status expired (or you cancelled it) and you’ve been living out of the country, you’re going to have to start from scratch.
Good luck!
-Travis
I am glad to found your blog very helpful to everyone. More thanks to you!
I am a Filipina, married to a Japanese National last May, 2015 under the Japanese Law, we were married even if we’re in the Philippines. We did not file/report our marriage here in the Philippines because my husband told me that it is not needed when filing the COE. So eventually, when my husband already gone to Japan last November 2015, and applying for COE,the Immigration officer in Japan ask him about our Report of Marriage here in the Philippines and it has to be reported also in the Philippines. After calling the DFA(Department of Foreign Affairs) and the Phil.Embassy in Tokyo they have given me a lot of documents to be submitted to them,the said documents is like the documents they have ask my husband when we got married in Japan also. I have already completed all of them and already submitted it last Dec29,2015. We are now waiting for the copy of Report of Marriage from the Phil.Embassy in Tokyo. My husband is in Japan and me and our son is here in the Philippines. It takes us a lot of time to process all of these. I just hope that we can receive the Report of Marriage soon so that I can change my Surname and Passport before applying it to Immigration in Japan for me & my son’s COE.
I just hope if someone read this, it would be helpful to file also your marriage in your home country sooner so that the processing would not be delayed. I am very grateful to share my experience with you.
Thank You & God bless.
Hi Jenny O.,
Thank you for sharing your story! I know we have a lot of readers from the Philippines, so I’m sure they will find this comment very helpful.
As an American, I did not have to register my marriage with my home country, but this is an important caution to everyone to check with your embassy for the rules that apply to you!
Thank you again!
-Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Jenny O,
Thank you so much for a detailed explanation! I’ve been searching for this kind of reference, and this blog plus all the comments are really helpful– I find it admirable that you take the time to reply to almost everyone!
I find this comment by Jenny quite useful though. Does it mean, that if I get married in Japan and not in the Philippines, I would still need to get married/registered in the Philippines to apply CoE? (I’m currently working outside of the Philippines and not residing there) My boyfriend hasn’t proposed (haha) but we’ve been discussing marriage in the past few months. Hope I could get this clarified.
Thank you again to you guys, such kind souls you are! <3
Hi France,
The requirement to register your marriage with your home country differs for each country. If you are conducting your marriage abroad, then please be sure to check with your embassy there to see the requirements.
While the US has no such requirement, my understanding is that the Philippines does require its citizens to register their marriages conducted in other countries at the embassy, as well. When TranSenz was a translation business, I once translated the paperwork for a Filipino couple who needed to register their Japanese marriage.
In your case, if you got married in Japan, then my understanding is that you would have to register that marriage with the Philippines Embassy or consulate before you could apply for the Spouse COE. There may be a way to speed up the process of getting proof of registration, but I’m not sure.
If you are working in Japan and on a working visa, you could stay on that Residence Status until you get all the documents you need to apply to change to spouse.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you so much, I appreciate your quick reply! I’ve bookmarked your page and will be using it as reference from hereon. Thank you and may you be blessed thousand-folds.
Hi France,
Hi Travis,
Good evening! For clarification, we have been married in Japan even if we’re both living here in the Philippines,my japanese husband just got back in japan after 6months of marriage. Our process is getting longer due to the fact that we have filed our marriage to DFA-Tokyo which is not a Jurisdiction of my husband’s home city which is in Gifu, so unfortunately all our documents have been returned to us then re-apply again for another forms then submitting it again to DFA-Osaka. We have filed it in DFA-Osaka last March 15,2016 then we have received our Report of Marriage copy in April 6, 2016. The problem now is as per DFA-Manila, they need to receive the copy of that ROM(Report of Marriage) coming from DFA-Osaka itself, so up until now whenever I call the DFA-Manila our papers are still not yet there. It really takes us a lot of time and i am very sad on how it take us so long just to wait for them to send it to DFA-Manila then afterwards to NSO..URGHH! I am getting tired of waiting and i hate to say this that I hate how our Government here on why does it taking so long??!! But after i receive that copy,whatever it was from DFA-Manila, i can easily get the NSO copy of our marriage/marriage cert.on SECPA(Security Paper) as per DFA-Manila’s staff told me. I am still hoping that i can finally get that document soon for me to apply the COE. I just hope my experience will be a lesson to everyone to check and be cautious on everything you are going to do before filing on you COE. Thank you 🙁
Dear Jenny,
Thank you for sharing your experience! I feel sorry for you for having to go through that, but I hope it is a useful example for others in the future!
I hope you get your CoE soon,
-Travis from TranSenz
France,
If you are married in Japan, you don’t need to get married in the Philippines. We have been married in Japan by submitting all the documents by mail only.
Thank you.
Hi Travis, Good evening. I would like to update my post. My husband in Japan already applied me & my son’s COE at last, after all of this long waiting time. First he submitted our applications to Gifu Regional Immigration Branch last June 2,2016. And after submitting all additional & possible documents,the immigration officer finally sent it to Nagoya Immigration Office where is the main office of Gifu’s jurisdiction on July 1,2016 only. It takes us a month to wait for my husbands payslip, he does not have a tax cert.yet that’s why. My question is how long to wait for our COE? Do i need to count the date when it reviewed in Gifu Regional Immigration Branch or is it on July 1? I believe you have mentioned that July-August are one of the busiest month in Japan. I just hope it will come out soon, because it is almost 8 months since my husband gone home to japan.We missed him so much especially our son. I would like to add that we have been living together since Dec.2007 before we got married last May 11,2015. And our son is paternity recognized last Nov.13,2013.Thank you very much.
Hi Jenny O.,
The three months of screening time should include the time that it was being reviewed in Gifu.
The Immigration Bureau typically says that screening will take 1-3 months. In my experience, it’s 1 month when there are no problems, and 3 months when they have to include time to ask you to send in extra documents, etc. It can also take longer if there are other irregularities or exceptions.
I hope you will be hearing good news within the next few weeks!
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
I am a filipino and I just got married to my japanese husband last december. We just got our marriage contract from the local civil registrar yesterday. I will fly to osaka this saturday so that we can already register our marriage in Japan and so that my husband can apply for a coe for me.
The copy of the marriage contract from the philippine government NSO will be available after 3 months. Would the copy from the local civil registrar enough for us to register our marriage in Japan and apply for COe in japan? Thank you
Hi Anne!
You can ask from your Local Civil Registrar for advance endorsement. They will endorse it electronically to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), former National Statistics Office (NSO). In one monthh time, you can have your Certificate of Marriage from the PSA. But a CERTIFIED TRUE COPY of your Certificate of Marriage from the Local Civil Registrar is acceptable for the Report of Marriage.
Hope I can help.
Dear Niferam,
Thank you very much for chiming in! I did not have the answer to that question, but I’m really glad that someone else from the community was able to help Anne.
Thanks Again,
-Travis
Hello Travis,
My Pleasure! I have been visiting to your blog a month ago. Through personal and work experiences, wish I could help them too.
Hi, I’m sorry to barge in, but I really wanna know if will it be okay to present the Local Civil Registrar’s authenticated copy of marriage contract in applying for a COE? since I live in the province, the advance endorsement for NSO still takes 2-3 months as per LCR’s statement. I have prepared a “CERTIFICATE OF NO RECORD” or Negative Marriage Record from the NSO with a red ribbon seal from DFA just to make sure it would be acceptable in applying for a COE. But I just needed a second opinion about it.. (┳Д┳) Also, my name on my passport is still my maiden name and what if I’d want to use my husband’s(Japanese National) surname in applying for my COE and kosekitohon? Do I have to change my passport first before starting the process? Hoping for a helpful reply from you guys! Thanks
Hi Anne! we have a same case regarding NSO Marriage Cert.
Since my NSO MC will be available after 3-6 months I request an advanced endorsement for the application of my COE.
But my Marriage Certificate from LCR was accaepted in Japan City Hall for the registration of our marriage in Japan.
hi, thanks for the useful guide, it’s really helpful.
Can i apply visa in any country ( i am resident of that country or not) after getting the COE?
I am from Pakistan and we have done our marriage paper work in South Korea because i was doing my business in South Korea. But before receiving the COE i am planing to close my business and i will visit Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand with my Japanese wife.
So is it ok if i will apply visa there (Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand) after receiving COE from Japanese wife?
thank you
Hi Shahzad,
It depends on the rules in each country. I know you can apply if you are a national of that country (e.g. Pakistan) or if you are a long-term resident there (South Korea). But in some cases, you won’t be able to apply if you are just a tourist in that country.
For example, when I applied for my Spouse Visa in Thailand, I had to prove that I had been living there for more than 6 months or the Embassy would not accept my application.
I recommend that you call each embassy first, before your trip, to confirm whether or not they will accept your application.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
Thanks for this great article. My girlfriend is Japanese living in Japan and I’m English living in the United Kingdom. I’m going back to Japan again in March and we will get married. But I’ll only be there for a 3 weeks as I have to come back to the United Kingdom for work.
Am I right in saying, once married and registered I can apply for the COE but would most likely have to reply for a spouse visa in the UK (England) as I would be in England working again?
OR could my Spouse living in Japan do this for me?
Thank you very much.
Hi Richard,
You can either apply for the CoE yourself while you’re in Japan (and have it mailed to your spouse when it’s complete – the Immigration Bureau will not mail internationally) or your Spouse in Japan can file the application for you.
In either case, yes, you’d have to apply for the visa back in the UK. Also, you’ll have to arrive in Japan within 3 months of the CoE issuance date, so I would recommend waiting to apply until you’re ready to move to Japan full time.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi travis,Good day! this article is really helpful for me and to others… But I just need some clarification regarding abt CoE, my CoE was issued on October 29,2015… I wasn’t able to apply for my visa immediately coz I waited so long for me to receive it from post office. When I received CoE and applied through accredited agency here in Philippines, they again asked me additional documents aside from CoE that mades my visa application more delayed. I need again to ask my husband additional documents from Japan like koseki etc.. So finally, after gathering all documents, the agency filled my application only last year Dec.02. Since its December, too many holidays here, so processing of my spouse visa took long time . Till I received my visa only this year January 06 and will expire on April 06.. My question is if it’s really necessary that the certificate of eligibility is still valid when u enter Japan even if u already have the visa with u? I got my CoE last October 29 2015, so means expiration is January 29, 2016… And I have a problem, I wont be able to go Japan this month as I’m pregnant and Airline won’t allow me to travel anymore. My plan is to go after delivery before my visa expires but I’m worried abt my CoE. Japan immigration might deny my landing permission.. I hope u can help me… Thanks in advance ?
Hi MG,
Congratulations on your upcoming delivery!
Unfortunately, in my experience, you have to enter Japan within 3 months of the CoE issuance date. I would recommend calling the visa section of the Japanese embassy in the Philippines and explaining your situation. I don’t know if they will be able to make an exception in your case, but they should be able to give you the best advice for what to do to be able to enter Japan.
By the way, you’re also going to need a passport (or two – one for the Philippines and one for Japan – if the baby will have both nationalities) for the baby after giving birth, so make sure you allow time for that process, too.
Good luck and best wishes!
-Travis from TranSenz
hi my husband is a brazilian japanese we got married last year september 2015 we have a daughter who is 4months old now and his longing for us he wants us to go to japan and live with him asap cause he missed a lot of impotant milestones of our only child. im a filipina, is it possible to have a tourist visa and extend it till 6 months he will be applying our COE a month before or 2months before we land to japan so we still have additional 4 months to change status of residence he has work and because of work he just visit here minimally he just go video calls and intenational calls and sending money too. can we do this process. cause in the philippines we just have a 90 visa stay can he extend it while waiting if ever process get longer he is a permanent resident and have a job. he already get a house for us there and also have our baby things
or have you read about the dependent visa. is it possible that i could help him in finances and work too if we undergo to dependent visa and how long will it take to be release im a nurse and a chef too
Hi Psugui14,
Since your husband is a Permanent Resident, I recommend going for the Spouse visa, not dependent. The Spouse visa will be more initial paperwork for your husband, but the processing time is similar and the Spouse visa has more benefits:
– If you are on a dependent visa, you need to apply for permission to work part time and your hours will be limited. If you are on a Spouse visa, then you can work freely, just like any Japanese citizen.
– It is much faster to get your own permanent residency if you are on a spouse visa.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Psugui14,
You cannot extend a tourist visa in Japan – 90 days is the maximum, and it may not be possible to change from a tourist status to spouse status in Japan.
The best solution would be for your husband to start the CoE application earlier so that you can be sure to have it before you arrive. It should take 1-3 months to get the CoE and then once you have it, I have heard that it takes anywhere from 1-3 weeks to get your spouse visa in the Philippines.
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for sharing and it was very informative..I need more tips from your side..I am working in ERP In Chennai.
Hello Travis and thank you very much fro your precious guide.
I’m in the process of filling in the application form for CoE. I am a spouse of a japanese national and I’ve lived in Japan in the past (we did the same procedure back then, to change my visa).
As we both are now resident in Europe, there are few voices to fill to wich I have no answer: place where I intend to work, income, and other things related to money. Do they apply for my parents in law as guarantors?
In the “hometown” space, as in japanese it states “japanese hometown”, should I write my parents in law hometown. The same actually applies with port of entry and date of arrival… as I still donìt know exactly when I’ll be there and for how long. I have general ideas but not precise information.
In those cases, would be better left in blank or give an incorrect answer?
Thank You,
Federico
Hi Frederico,
I left the “place I intend to work” section blank in my form when I applied. I only ended up getting a 1-year residence status, but I was able to renew for a longer stay after I found a job.
For question 24, you need to fill in how you intend to pay your living expenses in Japan. If you have savings, you can enter a month figure under “self.” Otherwise, if your parents-in-law will be paying for your living expenses, that would fall under “Supporter in Japan” or “Guarantor”, in which case, you’d have to fill out section 24(3), as well.
Question 25 is to be filled out if your spouse will be working and supporting you on a permanent basis.
The hometown question in Japanese states 本国, which means “your home country”, not Japan, so write your own hometown.
The date and port of entry (and place where you will apply for your visa) are estimates, only, so it doesn’t matter if that ends up changing. Fill it in with your best guess as of this time, and you should be fine. I recently confirmed with the Immigration Bureau that it’s OK to do so.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank You very much Travis. Appreciate!
Thanks to your guide, my COE processed quick and without a hitch. Filling out the VISA application now and have an issue. I run out of space indicating my previous visits. Do you know if I could include those visits on a different piece of paper or write on the back of it? I would call the consulate, but closed with Christmas upon us.
Hi Phil,
I would recommend listing all your visits on a separate sheet of paper (you could even type them up in a table) and writing “see attachment” on the actual visa form.
That solution works for most other Japanese forms! In the worst case, they might ask you to rewrite the list on the back of the form, but in either case, you should have everything you need!
Good Luck
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi , How are you . I am from Pakistan and married with filipina currently living in Philippine right my wife is filipina Japanese permit residence and we already apply for COE and waiting for it , I wanna know what documents do i have to show you in Japanese embassy in Philippines for applying my visa ? And is that okay if i can apply my visa in Philippines
Hi Sohail,
The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines’ website isn’t very clear on the exact documents necessary, so I’d recommend giving them a call or stopping by to ask them directly!
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis! me and my wife are both Filipinos, she has a (permanent residency) and already got my COE and applied here in the Philippines through an agency as it is required by the Japanese Embassy for a visa. It is already a couple of weeks and both of us are worried why it is taking so long.. If i tried to call for follow up on the agency they could not give me a direct answer. I’m planning to leave this December 27 to be with my wife but until now i am waiting for my visa. I don’t know what could be the reasons for such a delay. I know you are not a consulate to answer this but i just want to share. 😀
Hi Rjbijasa,
Thank you for sharing your timeline with us. I hope you’ve gotten your visa by now and have a safe flight to Japan!
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi! I’m from the Philippines and I just applied for a spouse visa to Japan. I just want to ask if you have heard of any case where the spouse visa was not granted eventhough a COE is provided? I’m just kinda tense of what the result of my visa will be. Thanks for the reply. 🙂
Hi Jewel,
I’ve never heard of someone being denied a Visa if they had already secured a CoE. Usually, the visa application takes only a couple of weeks, so I hope you’ll be hearing good news soon!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for the reply. 🙂
Thanks also for the comprehensive information on this website.
Hi Travis,
I just got my visa. 🙂
Anyway, do you know what else should I secure to enter Japan? Aside from the visa and COE, do I still have to present other documents at the immigration? I wpuld appreciate your reply on this. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Jewel,
Congratulations!
Would you mind sharing how long it took the visa application to process at the Embassy? I think that would be helpful information for many of the other applicants coming from the Philippines!
You won’t need any other documents at immigration. I think you’ll need to know the address where you’ll be staying to fill in a form that you get at that desk, but that’s it.
I hope you have a safe trip!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you, Travis!
And sure, I’d be happy to share it with you. It only took 9 days(including the weekends) to get my visa from the agency. (Here in the Philippines,we are not allowed to personally process the visa at the embassy. We need the accredited agencies to process it for us. So that’s it! From the day I submitted my documents at the agency, I only waited for 9 days to have my visa.
Hi i’m from philippines. I’m planning to go to japan on january 2016 tourist visa for 90days. And apply for COE. If my COE approved is it possible that i don’t need to go back to philippines for my visa? Where can i apply for it at japan? Hope you can help me. Your blogs are really helpful. Thanks for this
By the way my husband is from fukushima. Were planning to apply at sendai regional office. Can you give me the address there? Thanks a lot sir
Hi Joyce,
You can find all the Immigration Offices addresses and phone numbers at: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/soshiki/index.html You probably want the Koriyama Branch Office for Fukushima.
I highly recommend that you get your CoE and Spouse Visa before coming to Japan. The CoE can take up to 90 days to process, so if you come on a tourist visa, you run the risk that your visa will expire before you get your CoE. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll be able to change from Tourist to Spouse within Japan. (You’ll want to follow up with the Immigration Bureau office for more details).
Applying for a CoE and a Spouse Visa before you come to Japan is the safest bet.
Good Luck
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for the reply and advice sir. Godbless you 🙂
Hello ! i have a question please.
Me(filipina) and my japanese boyfriend just got married a week ago. And im planning to get a spouse visa, we are currently
living in Japan, wanna make sure if i still need to acquire a COE or can just apply for a spouse visa right away ?
thank you so much !!
BTW we are living in japan right now, got married under japanese law but im using tourist visa. my visa will expire
on the 2ndweek of jan. 2016.. thank you so much !!
Hi Pearl,
Congratulations on your marriage!
I’m afraid, though, that you’re probably going to have to go back to the Philippines to apply for your spouse visa – and yes, you will need a CoE.
I know you need a CoE to have a chance of changing from Tourist Visa to any other status, but the CoE can take up to 3 months to acquire after you submit all of the regular paperwork.
I’d recommend that you contact your nearest Immigration Bureau office as soon as possible and ask them if it would be possible to get the CoE in time and apply to change your status. They’re probably going to tell you that they “can’t guarantee it” (but at least that isn’t an outright “no”!). Then get all your paperwork together to apply and when you submit it, mention that your current residence status expires in January so you need it before then if at all possible. There might be a chance that you can get it in time.
By the way, the Immigration Bureau (and other government offices) will close for a about a week around the end of December and beginning of January, so you want to get started as soon as possible!
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
thank you for providing this information. I went through visa hell already , because I got rejected twice for working visa.
Now my Japanese bf and me are thinking to go the “easier” way, which it is obviously not… XD
I got a question about the last point in your list, which says “Wedding Certificate issued by the foreign spouse’s country”.
Sorry, but I am a little bit confused. I am from Germany. We are planning to get married in Japan and I apply for COE and visa at the Japanese embassy in my country. I know from some friends, who got married in Japan, that they had to register the marriage in Germany before they were able to apply for visa at the immigration office in Toyko. Do I have to register the marriage in Germany even if I apply for COE and visa from abroad? In other words, do we need marriage certificates from both counties for the COE?
Do you think it does make any difference in terms of time where to get married/ apply, either Germany or Japan?
Hi Tsukimi,
You’ll need to check whether or not Germany registers weddings performed in other countries. In my case, the US does not, so I had to submit a document saying “The United States does not separately register marriages that are formalized in another country. It accepts a translation of the marriage certificate issued by the foreign government as the only form of proof of marriage required.”
I recommend checking the German Embassy in Japan’s website to see what information they have for German nationals who get married here – that should tell you whether you need a separate certificate from Germany or not.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
-Travis from TranSenz
First of all Thank you for this information, I have been searching everywhere and you seemed to have the most up to date information and detailed information. Thank you so much.
I have one silly question and I am hoping you might be able to help me.
I am on a Working Holiday visa valid for one year which expires June 2016. It was the easiest way for me to get a mid-long term visa when my girlfriend moved back to Japan this year and I wanted to join her. We recently got married and I was advised to change my visa status from Working Holiday to Spouse Visa.
I guess I am asking if I still need to apply for a CoE? or can I follow your guide without the CoE involved?
I am working full time and my company is able to change my visa status when it expires to a working visa BUT I prefer the spouse visa so that I am not bound to any company shall I choose to look for other jobs etc….
Thank you for any advice you might be able to give me.
Harry
I forgot to mention that we got married uner Japanese Law.
Hi Harry,
First of all, congratulations on your marriage! A spouse visa is definitely preferable to a working visa, not only for the freedom it gives you in changing jobs in the future, but also because a spouse visa is a faster path toward Permanent Residency!
You don’t need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a “Change of Status of Residence.” Almost all of the items listed in this article are still required with two exceptions:
1. The application form is going to be different. You can download the form at: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02-format.html
2. You won’t need the return envelope.
Also, for the income and tax-related documents, if you’re working and your wife is not, then you should be able to submit your documents (she will still need to write the Letter of Guarantee, though.)
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for the reply Travis.
I agree with the spouse visa.
One final question does it matter when I apply to change my status? We have been married under the Japanese Law for a month or so now but my visa does not expire until July 2016.
Is it better to wait until May next year to proceed?
My wife also works full time so we are good on the guarantor side of things.
Thanks again
Harry
Hi Harry,
The earlier you change your visa to Spouse, the earlier you can get the clock ticking towards eligibility to apply for Permanent Residency, but that’s really the only difference (unless you have to change because your former status is not going to be valid anymore, but you said that wasn’t a problem for you).
To apply for permanent residency as a Spouse, you have to hold the longest possible period of stay (5 years) and then you will be eligible to apply at the end of those 5 years.
Aside from the Permanent Residency timing, there’s no real reason to change early (except to stop having to think about it!)
Good Luck,
-Travis from TranSenz
Travis,
I forgot one more. You mentioned Wedding Certificate from Foreign Country and mentioned writing a self document and translated and signed.
I found this for my country attach is the link and it had the pdf. In your opinion is this sufficient enough in regards to the pdf and translated or will I need to do the document and include this?
http://www.nzembassy.com/japan/new-zealanders-overseas/living-in-japan/getting-married-in-japan
http://home.e07.itscom.net/mfat/pdf/RecognitionOfOverseasMarriages.pdf
Thanks for the advice.
Harry
Hi Harry,
That’s awesome that the New Zealand Embassy provides that document, especially with the translation included. That should be everything you need- it’s even got the Embassy contact info in case they want to follow up. Can’t get much better than that.
Thank you for sharing that resource here. I hope it will prove useful to others, as well!
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Travis,
Happy New Year!
I am preparing all my paper work now as per your guide.
Thanks again, I wanted to clarify as its the same in COE and Change of Residence.
Q#25 and 26
Supporter and Guarantor is that just filled with wife’s name and details on both questions?
And since she is a national I am guessing that I can leave the residence card number, status of residence etc?
Thanks again!
Harry
Travis,
Sorry one last thing.
Documents I submit, will I get them back? Like My employment contract and my end of year Tax.
Thanks
Harry
Hi Harry,
For Q25 and Q26, that would be your wife if she is working full time and her salary is going to cover your living expenses. And yes, if you fill in her nationality as Japanese, you can leave out the Residence Card information.
If your wife is not working in Japan then 25 and 26 would be the person who is working and will be paying your living expenses. When I applied, by wife did not have a job in Japan (we were both overseas), so I filled in her father’s information for 25 and 26.
And in response to your other question, no, you won’t get any of your documents back!
I hope that helps!
Good Luck,
Travis
Thanks a lot Travis!!
I will be using the self method support even though my wife is also working full time. Due to my income significantly higher than hers. If thats the case I am ok leaving question 25 blank I assume? And just get her to be my guarantor on 26?
Would I still need to provide her income and tax? If I used self method support? I have bank statements, certificate of employment, tax witholding slip, but no resident tax as I am exempt since its my first year in Japan. I can also get the same paper work from my wife but no tax resident slip.
Hence why I am asking if I have go submit her paper work if Im doing self support.
Thanks again
Harry
Hi Harry,
You would only need to fill in section 25 if your wife’s income will be supporting you on a permanent basis after you move to Japan, so in this case, you would not need to do so.
I would recommend that you follow up with the immigration bureau to see what you should submit in place of the Residence Tax slip. Typically, if an item is required, you would at least need to submit a freeform explanation saying why you do not have it. In this case, it could be as simple as saying you are both working overseas and, while you have a guaranteed job waiting for you, you do not yet have a residence tax slip, but again, the Immigration Bureau would be the best place to double-check.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi transenz,
I would like to thanks for this article, all details is true and helpful I get my spouse visa here in Philippines , but I have a question for my son I have a residence card and my Japanese husband want my son to bring in Japan as soon as possible My son is 2 months old on December 1,2015 I would like to ask if want documents required for my son to enter in Japan my son have a Japanese passport already thanks
Hi Mikaela,
If your son has dual nationality, you’ll probably also need a Philippine passport for him to leave the country. As long as he has his Japanese passport, there’s nothing else you need to enter the country. Your husband will just have to complete his residence registration at the city hall after you arrive, which is pretty simple to do!
Have a safe trip to Japan!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hey was wondering if you could help me with my situation….I’m married to a Japanese wife and also have a son in Japan, my question is I had to go back to my country (Australia) for a family emergency and in that time my citizen card had expired.Is it possible I can go back to Japan an re new my citizen card in Japan or here in Australia?
Hi Michael,
I know it isn’t possible to renew your residence status/residence card while you’re in Japan. Technically it’s not possible to renew it within Japan once it’s expired.
If your wife is still in Japan, I would recommend asking her to go to the local immigration bureau to ask them about your situation. Have her explain that you had to leave suddenly for an emergency and didn’t have time to renew your card before you left, then got stuck there longer than you expected. They might make an exception and allow you to renew once you return to Japan.
She’ll probably need the date you left Japan, the date you planned to return initially, and the date your card expired, at least.
I hope it works out for you! Please let me know if they’re able to make an exception for your case.
-Travis from TranSenz
hi! thank u so much for this information! i have one question which i couldnt find in your writing.
im not sure if you are aware but, you know how before a spouse can can come live in the staes they have to go through a one on one interview at the US embassy in their country and whether they pass or fails the interview determines if they are granted a spouse visa or not…i will be applying for a spouse visa for japan and i was wondering if i would have to do the same thing in order to get a spouse visa? or as long as i got a CoE..it is like a pre approved permission for the visa?… im sorry,i hope im not comfusing.
Hi Sunny,
You’re not confusing at all.
There is no interview for the Japanese Spouse Visa application. The CoE is your “pre-approval” process (and there’s no interview for that, either, but there is a long, detailed questionnaire).
In my case, after I had the CoE, I went to the Visa Application center, turned in my paperwork, and got the visa two weeks later with no problems.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
oh my goodness! thank u so much for the information!! u have no idea how helpful u are to everyone. merry christmas and happy new year!
This is so helpful!
I’d like to ask if this is also applicable to a spouse of a permanent resident in Japan. (I’m Filipino and my husband is Korean.) And would it be better if the application for CoE will be done by a lawyer or just by my husband? Which way has the greater possibility of CoE issuance?
Thanks a lot!
More power!
Hi Sheryl,
I’m happy to hear the article was helpful!
The requirements should be very similar for “Spouse of Permanent Resident.” The only difference I am aware of is that, if he doesn’t have a Japanese koseki, he will need to check with the immigration bureau to see what he should submit instead to prove his permanent residency and your marriage.
If your husband is in Japan, then I would recommend that he apply himself. Having a lawyer do it doesn’t give you any better chance of success. (The only reason to hire a lawyer would be if neither of you were in Japan so you couldn’t apply on your own).
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi from Philippines. I am married with a japanese man. And planning to go back to japan on january. And having a 90days tourist visa. I am researching and go to forums reading a story about there visas. I am confused about spouse visa and COE. Is it possible to change status from tourist visa to spouse visa? Where can i apply it? No need for COE?
Hi Mine,
You (or your husband) should apply for a CoE for a Spouse Visa at the Immigration Bureau in Japan, then you will take that CoE to the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines to apply for a Spouse Visa. Basically, the CoE is a “pre-approval” process for the visa.
In Japan, the visa is just permission to pass through immigration. Once you are in Japan, you no longer have a “visa”, you have a “residence status”, which is what allows you to stay in Japan. It’s important to understand the difference between these words when you are talking to the immigration officials in Japan. They will tell you that it is impossible to change your visa, but you can change your residence status.
Typically, it is not possible to change from a tourist residence status to a spouse residence status in Japan (this is what the Embassy will tell you). However, if you have a CoE you may be able to apply to change (yes, the CoE is necessary). You apply to change your residence status at the same place that you apply for the CoE itself: the Immigration Bureau office. The problem is that the CoE application process can take up to 3 months, so if you only have a 90-day tourist stay in Japan, that might not be enough time to get the CoE, even if you apply on the day you arrive. So, if possible, your husband should start your CoE application even before you get to Japan.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
first of all, thank you for all those informations and details,, we really appreciate your help.
i have some questions, but before asking my questions i would like to explain to you the situation,
i’m a moroccan girl preparing to get married in japan with a japanese citizen,
i’m still in morocco and i would like to apply for visa short time, (one month)
should i apply for visa “private visit” or “tourist” ? i have heard that i can’t renew the tourist visa even after marriage!
for the private visa i have heard that i have to stay in his family while the period of the visa, but we are planing to stay at hotel during a month, is it ok?
also we are planning to get married once i arrive there, should i mention this in my “application of schedules of stay”? or not? because they may ask us for proofs of our relationship or the engagement photos..
is it easy to renew my visa after marriage?
do i need the certificate of eligibility to renew my visa?
Hi Houda,
I’m glad I could be of some help!
I’m not really familiar with the short-term visa types, but in your case, I would suggest getting legally married before you come to Japan. You don’t have to be in Japan to do it (in fact, neither your or your fiance have to be in Japan – my wife and I got legally married “in Japan” by mailing an application form while we were both living in Thailand). Then you can enter Japan on a spouse visa and hold the ceremony then.
It may be less romantic, but it’s less paperwork!
I wrote an article about that process, too: http://www.transenzjapan.com/blog/international-marriage-in-japan/
It’s true that you can’t renew short-term stay visas (tourist, etc). In some cases, you can change to another residence status, but I’ve only ever seen that work if you have a Certificate of Eligibility. But even if you get married the day that you arrive in Japan and apply for the CoE right away, 30 days would not be enough time to get it.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi good afternoon im thea from philippines, thanks for the details i just have a question? We applied our coe in japan last sept 2015 that time i used my maiden name not my husband’s name is it okay??? Or we should change it???
Hi Thea,
I’m glad I could help!
The name on your CoE should match the name on your passport. So, if your passport is still in your maiden name, you’re OK. If you’ve changed your name in your passport to your husband’s, you’re probably going to want to contact the Immigration Bureau office where you applied and ask for their instructions.
They may want you to change it now, or they may just tell you to provide a copy of your proof of name change when you apply for your visa so they know you’re the same person.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much travis
hi! its been a year that i requested my husband to process my Certificate of Eligibility but until now he hasn’t processed it yet because he told me he doesn’t know how to process it. he’s already 67 yrs old and he’s not knowledgeable enough with regards to that kind of matter. can you help my husband process my COE? where can he contact you? i’m 57 yrs old and just like my husband, i am not young anymore and i really wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. i’m so desperate to be with him and take care of him because he has a lot of ailments already.please help us
Hi Ben,
Sorry, but I’m not an immigration lawyer, professional, or anything of the sort- I’m just a guy who went through the process myself and wanted to share my experience to help folks if I can.
Only a relative or an attorney is legally allowed to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility. Here are a few suggestions, though:
You could also try contacting your embassy in Japan or the Japanese Embassy in your country for more advice.
I hope that helps a little!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi!
Thank you for the detailed and useful write-up!
I’m in the process of applying for CoE and spousal visa (wife is Japanese). However I do have a question and I’m not sure if you can answer it however due to time-difference it is hard for me to call for example 阿佐ヶ谷区役所.
Is it possible to be in Japan while waiting for the CoE? One plan we have is that I apply for the CoE and then go to Japan on a tourist visa (I’m a Swedish citizen, granting me 90 days). Reason I’m asking is that we have waited for her visa in Sweden for more than a year now, and she is not allowed to be here while it’s in process or it will be maculated.
Either if you happen to know or can point me in the direction of where to look would be much appreciated.
Thank you for all the time you continue to put into this site and comment field.
Regards
クリス
Hi クリス,
There is no rule against being in Japan while applying for the CoE. However, once the CoE is issued, you would then be expected to return to Sweden to apply for the Visa. If you’re willing to do that, then there’s no problem.
It may be possible to apply for a “Change in Status of Residence” from Tourist (a.k.a. Short-Term Stay) to Spouse once you have the CoE. However, you face two challenges- one is that the CoE might not be issued in time for you to apply, as the application process can take up to 3 months. You cannot extend a Tourist Visa.
The second is that, according to the Immigration Bureau, “in general” it is not permissible to change your Status of Residence from Short-Term Stay to another status while in Japan. I have seen exceptions when the person has a Certificate of Eligibility, but you would need to submit an additional explanation as to why you need to change status in Japan.
If you plan to try to change your residence status in Japan, then I recommend that you apply for a Short-Term Stay Visa (Tourist Visa) rather than entering Japan on a “no visa entry,” even if that is possible for your nationality. Having properly applied for that visa may help your case when you apply to change.
I wish you the best of luck in your application. Please let me know how it goes!
Travis from TranSenz
This is by far the most thorough explanation for getting married within Japan or outside Japan. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I was personally baffled by the fact that Japanese immigration did not provide a through explanation on their website. The English explanation was completely different from the Japanese explanation. Very confusing and inconsistent. Fortunately I discovered this site and we had an immigration officer who was very helpful and knowledgable. You saved my wife and I from a lot of unwanted stress. It is much appreciated.
Hi XY,
Thank you for your kind comments! We went through quite a bit of hassle to get my visa processed, so I wanted to help make it easier on anyone else if I could. I’m glad to hear that you found the guide helpful!
Best,
Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for the guidelines. It really helps a lot. Anyway, I do have a question. After I’ve obtained single/multiple entry from Japan Embassy in Malaysia, can I just book one way ticket to Japan? Scared that I’ll be reject at immigration without return ticket. I’m thinking of applying for spouse visa when I reach there. Ready to move there next year and no point of buying return ticket.
Hi Yuki,
If you’re applying for a tourist single/multiple entry visa, then, in general, you won’t be allowed to change your visa status after arriving in Japan. You would have to prove a good reason as to why you should be allowed (for example, if you’re not married yet but you’re going to Japan for your wedding). You’re also going to need to start applying for your spouse visa or CoE as soon as possible after you arrive in Japan, because it can take a few months.
If you’re married to a Japanese national or permanent resident, then I would recommend applying for the spouse visa now, before you leave Malaysia.
As for the return ticket, I think that depends on the airline more than immigration. I’ve been stopped at the check-in counter for not having a return flight, but immigration has never checked for me. They just ask why I’m visiting and how long I plan on staying.
It also might depend on how long your visa is for. If you only have 30 days, there’s a good chance the airline will want to see your return ticket. If you have longer, then you can probably tell them that your return date is not yet decided so you will buy your ticket later.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Just found it, http://www.moj.go.jp/content/000007420.pdf
Interesting, I found it at another address, as well. The link below is from the current Japanese instructions page:
http://www.moj.go.jp/content/000007383.pdf
I haven’t found any differences yet between the two versions.
Thanks for all the great tips, this has been very useful completing the COE. Only question, I cannot find the questionnaire. The link provided seems to not work?
Hi Philip,
Thanks for finding that!
I double-checked and it looks like all of the documents on the moj domain had changed addresses, so I fixed the links in the article. Everything should work now!
Thanks Again,
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi transez,
Why until now don’t have a result for my visa? I apply my visa last august 26,2015 with my Coe but until now don’t have a result
Hi Mika,
I haven’t heard of the Visa application taking that long if you have a CoE before, so there may be some kind of problem with your application or they have a mistake in their contact information for you, or something like that.
I’d suggest calling the Embassy and asking them if there was any “missing documentation” or other information they needed. That’s a roundabout way of asking them for a status update, as well. If you ask directly, sometimes you won’t get an answer, but if you make it sound like you made a mistake (even if you didn’t) then the person may look it up for you!
I hope you get your visa sorted soon!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi transenZ,
My husband Japanese called the japan embassy here in Manila but the embassy said my documents is complete but they not already finish to check my documents,the embassy said they wait for the answer of the agency who check to all my documents, ,
Hi Mika,
Hmm, I didn’t realize visa applications were handled by an agency in the Philippines. Sorry, I don’t have any specific information about the system there, but I hope someone else reading this might have a better idea! If anyone else knows about Japanese visa processing times in the Philippines, please share your experience with us!
I hope you get your results soon!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi good afternoon
I get my Coe from japan last August 20,2015 and I apply my visa to agency that accreditted of japan embassy here in Manila they process my visa august 27,2015 when is the possible date to grant my visa ? Thanks in advance
Mika
Hey Travis, this article is proving really helpful in organising my application for the CofE. I’ve taken lots of notes and together we’re working through getting all the paperwork together. I’m British, my wife is Japanese. Was there any requirement for you to go to your embassy after your marriage to inform them of a change in marital status? My wife was advised at the town hall that i would need to travel to the British Embassy in Tokyo, i’m just very confused about why. Do you know what that could be referring to? Could the people at the town hall be confused about it i ask myself. She says it is something about telling them that i am married now.
I’ve been here near Miyazaki, Kyushu, for a couple of weeks on a Temporary Visitor stamp, so fingers crossed that 2 months or so is enough time to get it all straight! I don’t see many foreigners here at all, so hoping your comments about busyness of offices apply to us and we sail through (relatively).
Thanks again for a wonderful write up, i’m extremely grateful,
All the best, Chris
Hi Chris,
I’m glad to hear that you found the article helpful.
Regarding reporting your marriage to your embassy, I’d recommend giving the embassy a call and asking if it’s required. My guess is that it is not required, but I don’t have direct experience so I don’t want to lead you the wrong way.
Japanese nationals who get married under another country’s laws are required to report that marriage to the Japanese embassy and my assumption here is that the city hall clerk just assumed that every country has the same requirement. I’m a US national and the US embassy website says clearly that reporting a foreign marriage is not required (or even accepted, for that matter).
Good luck getting the paperwork in time! The time of year should work out in your favor, too, as late Sept should not be a busy time for student or worker CoE applications. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, too.
-Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for the comments Travis. I’ll double-check with the town hall i think, and do a bit more ferreting around.
Chris
Cheers Alex for all your work putting the info together in a logical and useful format.
Just to add through my partner’s investigations (she is a Japanese National) that Japan Immigration Bureau website states they prefer anyone who is issued a visa to enter Japan before it is 3 months old (this information not found in english). In other words you must enter Japan using your newly issued visa within 3 months of it being issued or it may not be valid?
So perhaps as you say, once you have your CoE you better book a flight.
Regards Vernon
Hi Vernon,
Excellent point. You actually have to arrive in Japan within three months from the date the CoE is issued, not the visa. It’s written in the fine print on the CoE, itself, but that’s definitely something people would want to know in advance! Added it to the guide above- with credit to you for pointing it out.
Thanks!
-Travis from TranSenz
I read everything but I am a bit concerned. I did not see an asset requirement. If I bring my girlfriend to the USA, there is an asset requirement to make sure we are above poverty. What about Japan? I live in the USA, she is a Japanese national and we have been long distance for a coupe years and would like to get married and live in Japan. That being said my question is:
1. Is there a asset requirement like in the USA?
2. When could I be eligible to work
3. Can I become a citizen there or permanent resident?
Thanks
Hi Alex,
I just want to be clear- you can only apply for this visa after your are married. If you want to come to Japan before being legally married, you’re going to need to get a working visa (through an employer), student visa (through a school), etc. Then you can change to a Spouse residence status later after you legalize the marriage.
1. The asset requirement is covered by the “4. Japanese Spouse’s Certificate of Juminzei (Residence Tax) Payment” section above. The immigration bureau does not specify a minimum amount. If your girlfriend isn’t working, she won’t have this, so her parent would have to be your sponsor instead. Submitting your own bank balance statement as supplemental information probably wouldn’t hurt either.
2. With a “Spouse of Japanese National” residence status, you are free to work with no restrictions, just like a Japanese national.
3. Yes and yes, but Japan does not allow dual nationality, so if you become a Japanese citizen, you would have to give up your US citizenship, which comes with some pretty severe penalties. Permanent Resident is a much simpler way to go (That’s what I have and I’m working on a guide for that, as well.)
Best,
Travis from TranSenz
Continuation:
My daughter is now 7 yrs.old and I’m her guardian.
This is my first time that I will apply the COE.
I have’nt no idea before.Thank you for the informations.
Hi Zel!
Thought it has been almost 5 months ago since your last post, I would like to know if you were able to process your visa and in Japan already? Just in case you weren’t able to do it. I know some organizations in Phils, particularly in Cebu who process visa for a mother of a Japanese citizen or a child of a Japanese citizen who is registered in the family registry of the Japanese father.
Hello! This article is very helpful. I will be able to get COE on october.
Thank you bfor the datailed posts.
But I have a question, I should get COE because my japanese daughter will have to go to school next yea in japan.
I am not married with her father and we have no contact for 5 years.
My japanese child born in japan & she has a japanese passport already,
I am the one who will apply COE and my sponsor will be my japanese friend.
In this case,what documents do I have to submit and also my sponsor’s documents?
I hope you can help me.
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi Zel,
Are you Filipino by any chance?
There is a special visa application process for Filipino parents of Japanese children who want to go to Japan with their child to raise them there, but I don’t know if it applies to other nationalities. It looks like you do not need to apply for a CoE for that visa. Here’s a link to the application information page on the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines website:
(English) http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/jfc.htm
(Japanese) http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/consular_j/new%20visa/jfc.htm
They might not give you a very long period of stay in Japan, but you can renew your stay once you get to Japan (if you find a job there, that should make it easier, too).
If you are not Filipino, then I would recommend talking to the embassy or consulate of Japan in your country to see if they have a similar application process.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi!ask for help,im in philippines and 2nd time visa denied,can i apply my eligibilty to other country?like if im going to malaysia for a trip and straight apply there in japan embassy in kl?it is possible?thank you,
Hi Irene,
Generally, no. You have to apply for your visa from a country where you are a resident. I am American and applied for my visa in Thailand, but I had to prove that I was a resident of Thailand (I was) before they would let me apply.
What kind of visa are you applying for that you’re getting rejected? If it’s anything other than tourist, you’re going to need an appropriate sponsor in Japan to get a Certificate of Eligibility for you. For example, an employer for any of the working visa types, university for student, etc.
Good luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Oh my god, this is so helpful. Someone told me I wasn’t able to change my name, and I was trying to figure out how to get the legal verification from my home country, since I can’t afford to go home any time soon and the US Embassy doesn’t do that. Thank you thank you thank you for this write up!
Kris, I’m glad it was helpful! Good luck with the rest of your paperwork.
-Travis from TranSenz