Required documents and points when renewing a spouse visa

Updated: July 2025, 9

If you are residing in Japan on a spouse visa, you will need to renew your visa before your period of stay expires.
However, how exactly should one go about renewing their spouse visa?
In this article, we will explain in detail how to renew your spouse visa, the screening points, and the necessary documents.

Spouse Visa Renewal Period

Spouse visa renewal applications can be made up to three months before the visa expires.

We recommend that you complete the renewal procedure as early as possible, but be careful because if you apply too early, your application may not be accepted.
Conversely, if you apply just before your visa expires, there is a risk that your residence status will lapse if the review is delayed.

Be sure to check the deadlines carefully and plan your preparations accordingly.
It is also important to check in advance the specific schedule and procedures regarding the spouse visa renewal period.
Detailed information is available on the official website of the Ministry of Justice or at the Immigration Bureau.

What are the review points when renewing a spouse visa?

1. Stability and continuity of married life

The most important thing to consider when renewing a spouse visa is whether your marriage is stable.
Specifically, they check whether the couple are living together and sharing their daily lives.
Documents that need to be submitted include utility bills and a joint rental agreement as proof of living together.

In addition, if you regularly travel or attend events, submitting photos from those trips can also be a way to prove the continuity of your married life.

Submitting these documents and evidence as attachments will give you an advantage in your visa renewal review.

② Good behavior

The applicant's conduct will also be reviewed.
You will be required to have no criminal record and minimal traffic violations.

Reputation in society and evaluation at work are also important factors.
If you have a permanent position, submitting a workplace evaluation may be one way of providing proof.

3) Stable economic foundation

Financial stability is also an important consideration.
You will need to provide tax returns and pay slips to prove that you or your spouse have a stable income.

In addition, to strengthen proof of your financial foundation, it may be effective to submit a copy of your bankbook if you have ample savings, or a real estate register to prove ownership of real estate.
These documents serve as evidence that the applicant is financially stable.

④ Compliance with legal obligations (various notifications, etc.)

They will also check whether you have properly filed legal notices such as changes of address after marriage and childbirth.
This includes submitting documents such as a residence certificate and birth certificate.
It checks whether you are fulfilling your legal obligations without neglect.
　
It is also important to check in advance what notifications need to be made periodically and what documents need to be submitted when renewing your license.
This will help expedite the visa renewal process.

What documents are required for a spouse visa renewal application?

The following documents are required for spouse visa renewal:

Make sure all your documents are up to date and complete.
If there are any errors in the documents, your application will be delayed, so be sure to check the required documents in advance and prepare them all.

In particular, it is important that all certificates are up to date.
Obtaining and reviewing these documents early will help ensure the renewal process goes smoothly.

How long does the review period take?

The review period for a spouse visa renewal application generally takes about one to three months.
However, it may take longer depending on the applicant's situation and the contents of the documents submitted.

During the review period, the Immigration Bureau may request you to submit additional documents.
Therefore, to ensure the review process goes smoothly, it is important to prepare all the necessary documents in advance and submit them without any omissions.
If you have any questions during the review period, we recommend that you contact the Immigration Bureau as soon as possible.

Once the examination is complete, you will be notified of the results and will be able to collect your new residence card.

Reasons why a spouse visa renewal application may be rejected

Even if your previous applications have been approved, it is dangerous to take spousal visa renewal lightly.
This is because there remains a risk that the application will be denied due to changes in circumstances, etc.
　
The main reasons why a spouse visa renewal application may be rejected are as follows:

1. If the couple is not living together

The fact that a husband and wife live together is evidence that their marriage is actually continuing.
If you are separated, you will need to provide a statement of reasons.
For example, you will be required to provide a reasonable reason, such as work-related reasons or family circumstances.

② If taxes, pensions, insurance premiums, etc. are unpaid

If you have not paid all your taxes, such as resident tax and income tax, your visa renewal may be denied.
Unpaid taxes raise questions about your financial stability, so be sure to submit tax returns to prove you have paid them in full.
　
In addition, if you have unpaid national health insurance or national pension contributions, especially if your assets have been seized, there is a high possibility that your visa renewal will not be approved.
Check your insurance and pension payment status and submit documents to prove that you have no outstanding payments.

3) If there is no permanent job/if both parties are unemployed

Either the applicant or the spouse is required to have a regular job.
If you don't have a permanent job, you need other sources of income to make ends meet.
For example, if you have stable income from real estate or a pension, you will need to submit a certificate of this.

In addition, if both the applicant and spouse are unemployed, a reasonable document of reason is also required.
For example, you will need to explain your reason (such as illness or temporary unemployment) and provide documentation to prove it.

④If you have not filed a tax return

If you have an income but do not file a tax return, you may be considered to be unemployed.
In particular, if you have income from sources other than your workplace, be sure to file a tax return and submit a certificate of income.

⑤If your circumstances have changed since your last application

If your circumstances have changed since your last spouse visa application, you will need to explain this.
For example, if there has been a change of address or income situation, please prepare documents clarifying the reason and current situation.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided detailed information about the documents required and the screening process when applying for renewal.

Applying for a spouse visa renewal may seem simple at first glance, but in reality it is a procedure that requires many points to be aware of.
This requires a lot of paperwork and careful preparation.
In order to successfully complete your renewal application, it is important to keep these points in mind and respond appropriately.
　
Also, even if there are conditions that seem unfavorable to renewal at first glance, there may be ways to turn things around depending on how you approach it.
For example, even if a couple does not live together or their income is unstable, renewal may be granted if a reasonable reason can be demonstrated.
Even if your application does not meet the screening criteria, you may be able to avoid rejection by providing a detailed explanation and evidence.

By preparing thoroughly and submitting documents that are free of discrepancies and insufficient explanations, you can ensure a smooth visa renewal process.
I hope this article will be helpful to those who are applying for spouse visa renewal.

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