Procedure for Inviting Your Spouse to Japan

General Flow

To invite a foreign spouse who does not hold a Status of Residence to Japan and live together for an extended period, the following steps need to be taken.

If the purpose is a Short-term Stay (e.g., tourist visa), these steps are not necessary; however, this procedure is required if the goal is to live together in Japan.

We will explain step by step where, who, and to which authority each application should be submitted.

When inviting a foreign spouse to Japan, the Japanese spouse generally needs to have been residing in Japan for at least several months before the invitation.

About the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document that certifies a foreign national has been granted a Status of Residence to stay in Japan and meets the landing criteria for entry into Japan.

The Immigration Services Agency (immigration bureau) in Japan conducts a preliminary review to determine whether the activities of foreign nationals who wish to enter or reside in Japan meet the requirements of each Status of Residence, and issues it when the conditions are found to be satisfied.

Obtaining this Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the first step to bringing your spouse to Japan.

Who applies to which organization?

The application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is submitted to the regional Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence, by the applicant in person, a legal representative, or a filing representative.

Since the applicant is generally abroad and it is difficult for them to apply in person, it is common for a representative or filing representative (application agent) to submit the application on their behalf.

• Application Agent (Filing Representative): Only qualified professionals such as Administration Scriveners (Gyoseishoshi) and attorneys are eligible.
• Representative: A relative of the applicant may serve as a representative (the Japanese spouse can file the application on their behalf).

Validity Period of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

You must undergo landing examination within 3 months from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Please note that the certificate will become invalid if this period expires.

Please note that it generally takes about 1 to 3 months from the application to the issuance.

Documents Required for Application

As a general rule, the following documents are required.

1. Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility
2. Photo (4 cm height × 3 cm width)
3. Family Register (Koseki Tohon) of the Japanese Spouse (Certificate of All Matters)
4. Marriage certificate issued by an authority of the applicant's country of nationality
5. Certificate of Tax Assessment (or Tax Exemption) and Tax Payment Certificate of the Spouse (Japanese National)
6. Guarantee Letter of the Spouse (Japanese National)
7. A copy of the Resident Record (Juminhyo) listing all household members of the spouse (Japanese national)
8. Questionnaire
9. Snapshot photos of the couple
10. A return envelope with a 392-yen stamp affixed (for registered mail)

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan - Application for Certificate of Eligibility (Spouse or Child of Japanese National)

About Visas

What is a Visa?

It may be difficult to understand the difference from the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), but you can think of it this way: a visa is what you need to enter Japan, and a Status of Residence is what you need to stay in Japan for an extended period.

Who applies to which organization?

The person entering Japan from abroad applies at the Japanese diplomatic mission (Japanese Embassy or Consulate General) in their country of residence.

Documents Required for Application

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) obtained above will be required. For example, the following documents are required at the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar.

1. Passport
2. Visa Application Form
3. Photo (45 × 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months)
4. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (original and copy)

Required documents may vary depending on the embassy of each country, so please check the website of the relevant diplomatic mission.

Upon Entry into Japan

Upon entering Japan, you will present your passport and visa at the port of entry (such as Narita Airport) and submit the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once landing permission is granted, a Residence Card will be issued at the same time.

The Residence Card is very important for foreign nationals living in Japan, so please keep it in a safe place.

Summary

The following is a summary of the procedures for inviting your foreign spouse to Japan.

1. Either engage an Administration Scrivener or other professional, or have the Japanese spouse act as a representative to submit the Application for Certificate of Eligibility to the Immigration Services Agency.
2. Send the issued Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to your spouse abroad.
3. The foreign spouse applies for and obtains a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad using the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
4. Enter Japan with a visa and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Please note that you must enter Japan within 3 months from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The entire process from application to entry into Japan typically takes about 4 to 6 months, so please take your time and proceed without rushing.