Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a citizen of Japan?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Japan for life
Your right to live in Japan has no end date.
You do not need to renew your permission to stay, though you must renew your residence card.
Study in Japan
Holders can study in Japan without changing their status.
Residents can use public education under the usual eligibility rules.
Work in Japan
Holders can work for any employer, change jobs or run a business without changing their status.
They can also choose not to work.
Travel and return
Holders can leave and return to Japan using a valid passport and residence card.
They can normally use a special return permission for a trip of up to one year.
A longer absence requires an ordinary return permission.
Use public healthcare
Residents can use public health insurance and medical care under the same eligibility rules as other residents.
Access is not automatically free and can depend on where you live, your age, income and contributions.
Use public support
Residents can use pensions, welfare and municipal services under the same eligibility rules as other residents.
Access can depend on where you live, your age, income and contributions.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration office that handles permanent residence applications for the address where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Japan immigration office handles a permanent residence application for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the permanent residence application form and the document checklist for a Japanese citizen’s spouse.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in your permanent residence application form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Japan permanent residence application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
If your immigration office offers appointments, follow its instructions to book one. Otherwise, go to the counter the office directs you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for a Japan permanent residence application at the immigration office serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed application, documents, passport and residence card to your immigration office. You can also have an authorised representative submit them for you.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Japan permanent residence application at the immigration office serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to review your application. Send any extra documents it asks for.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Japan permanent residence application?”
Collect your residence card
If your application is approved, pay the fee with revenue stamps and collect your residence card. Your new status lets you live in Japan permanently.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee and collect my residence card after approval of a Japan permanent residence application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Get one marriage certificate from the office that issued it in your country of nationality.
Spouse's family register
Get one full copy of your Japanese spouse's family register from the municipality where their family register is kept.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence card and records
Register your address with your municipality within 14 days of establishing or changing it.
Report changes to your name, citizenship and other required card details within the time allowed.
Carry and show your residence card when the law requires, and renew it before it expires.
For holders aged 16 or over, a card is generally valid for ten years under the rules in force since 13 June 2026.
For a holder under 16, it generally lasts until their fifth birthday after issue, though transition rules apply.
Failing to renew is a breach of immigration rules and can contribute to cancellation of your status.
Missing return deadline
You can lose your status if you do not return to Japan by the deadline on your return permission.
The usual special permission is for return within one year of departure; a longer absence requires ordinary permission.
Status can be cancelled
Your status can be cancelled for a false address or for getting it through fraud.
It can also be cancelled if you leave your registered address and, without a good reason, fail to report a new one within 90 days.
Certain immigration breaches and serious crimes can also put your status at risk.
Deliberately refusing to pay public dues, including public health insurance and pension contributions, is relevant to cancellation policy.
Express rules on meeting legal duties and paying public dues are scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2027.
For newer cancellation grounds, you will ordinarily be changed to another status unless continued residence is inappropriate.
If continued residence is inappropriate, your status may be cancelled and you may have to leave.
You can also be deported for certain offences, including drug offences or a prison sentence exceeding one year.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Amecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Join on Facebookr/Japanrecruitgaijin
English Reddit group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Join on Reddit国際結婚＊配偶者ビザ手続きサイト－Spouse Visa Japan Community－
Japanese Facebook group for people living in Japan interested in Japanese visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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