Spouse Visa in Japan: Complete Settlement Guide (2026)
Last updated: March 2026
A spouse visa (Spouse or Child of Japanese National / 日本人の配偶者等) gives you significant advantages in settling in Japan. Your Japanese partner can help navigate bureaucracy, act as guarantor for housing, and you may be covered under their health insurance. There are also no work restrictions.
Key Advantages of a Spouse Visa
- ✓ No work restrictions — you can work in any job, any hours, any industry
- ✓ Dependent health insurance — may be covered under your spouse's plan at no extra cost
- ✓ Easier housing — your spouse can act as guarantor or primary leaseholder
- ✓ Easier banking — your spouse can accompany you and help with the process
- ✓ Path to permanent residency — eligible after 1 year of marriage + 3 years in Japan (shorter than other visa types)
What to Do After Arriving
Register at your Ward Office
Register at your spouse's address. Bring your Residence Card, passport, and Marriage Certificate (translated into Japanese if needed). Your spouse should come with you.
Health Insurance
If your spouse is employed and has Employee Health Insurance (社会保険), you can be covered as a dependent at no extra cost — as long as your annual income stays under ¥1.3 million. If your spouse is self-employed, you both enroll in NHI.
Pension
If covered as a dependent (Category 3 insured), your spouse's employer handles enrollment. Otherwise, enroll in National Pension at the ward office.
Phone, Bank, and Daily Life
Standard process. Your spouse can help navigate Japanese-language interactions. Consider a family phone plan. For banking, opening at the same bank as your spouse simplifies joint finances.
Spouse Visa Specifics
Visa Duration & Renewal
Typically 1 or 3 years. Renewed at the Immigration Bureau. You must demonstrate a genuine, continuing marriage. If you divorce, you lose eligibility for this visa status.
Working
No restrictions on type of work, hours, or industry. You can be employed full-time, part-time, freelance, or start a business. Note: if you earn over ¥1.3 million/year, you lose dependent health insurance status and must enroll in your own plan.
Permanent Residency
Spouse visa holders can apply for permanent residency after being married for 3+ years and living in Japan for 1+ year continuously. This is a shorter requirement than other visa types (which typically require 10 years).