Why Spouse Visa Applications in Japan Get Rejected — and How to Avoid It

The “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” residency status (Spouse Visa) is essential for married couples to live together in Japan. However, approval is not guaranteed, and there are many cases where applicants say, “I don’t know why my application was denied.”

Immigration authorities assess applications from multiple angles—not only the format of the documents, but also the reality of the marriage, living arrangements, and past immigration history. Even minor gaps in evidence or insufficient explanations can lead to a denial.

Based on practical experience as an administrative scrivener, this article explains the main reasons spouse visa applications are denied and the specific countermeasures for each. If you are preparing to apply or considering reapplication after a denial, please use this as a reference.

Chapter 1: Main Reasons for Denial (Quick Reference)

Typical Reason for Denial	Common Examples	Key Countermeasures
Weak evidence of a genuine marriage	Extremely short dating period; few photos or message records; large age gap; insufficient explanations	Provide a chronological account from first meeting to marriage; add photos, messages, travel history; show family/friends’ awareness; include proof of language communication
Weak cohabitation requirement	Separate residence registrations; single-occupancy housing; living apart without a reasonable cause	Submit objective documents proving reasons for separation (transfer, study, lease issues) and a concrete plan for starting cohabitation; unify residence records; revise the lease if necessary
Unstable financial foundation	Insufficient income; unstable employment; unpaid taxes	Provide recent taxation/payment certificates, employment contract and pay slips to show stability; settle any arrears and attach receipts; supplement with bank balance certificates or a support plan
Problems with past immigration status	Unauthorized work beyond permitted hours; overstay; other violations even if minor	Record facts accurately and present preventive measures; specify the seriousness and duration; show reflection and concrete improvements
Document defects or inconsistencies	Residence record without relationship details; missing documents; contradictory entries	Reissue documents using the latest formats; obtain a residence record covering all household members with relationships; unify name spellings; check and align dates and addresses
Failure to meet legal requirements	Marriage not valid in one of the two countries; common-law or same-sex marriage (not covered under current Japanese law)	Prove valid marriage in both countries; complete any required supplementary procedures in the foreign spouse’s country

Important: Denials are often the result of multiple factors. Fixing only one issue may still lead to another denial if other weaknesses remain.

Chapter 2: Detailed Countermeasures by Cause

2-1. When the reality of the marriage is questioned

In spouse visa screening, the most important factor is whether the marriage is genuine. Immigration examines not only whether the marriage is legally registered, but also whether the couple is actually living together as husband and wife.

Examples that raise suspicion include an extremely short relationship period, a lack of couple photos or communication records, or a significant age gap without adequate explanation.

Quick Reference — Countermeasures for Proving a Genuine Marriage

Countermeasure	Examples & Supporting Documents
Provide a careful narrative from meeting to the present	How you met; start of the relationship; proposal, wedding, and move-in; interactions with each other’s families
Prepare sufficient evidence	Photos of dates, trips, and daily life in chronological order; excerpts of LINE/email showing continuity; group photos with family/friends; travel history and boarding passes
Explain short relationship periods or age gaps	Describe personality and shared values, lifestyle compatibility, and specific reasons for marriage (work, language, religion, future plans)
If there is a divorce history, clarify remarriage reasons	Provide objective background of the prior marriage and divorce; show that the current marriage is not visa-motivated (relationship length, family awareness, cohabitation evidence)

Conveying the background of the marriage and your daily life truthfully and concretely is the first step. Because immigration assesses whether you truly live together as a married couple, even details that may seem minor should be submitted proactively.

2-2. Weak need for cohabitation / insufficient explanation for living apart

Cohabitation is a basic requirement. If there is no reasonable cause for living apart, or preparations for living together are inadequate, the reality of the marriage may be doubted and this can become a major cause of denial.

For example, living in a single-person unit or weekly rental may be regarded as unsuitable for long-term married life. Separate residence registrations or a lack of mail delivery can also cast doubt on cohabitation.

Quick Reference — Common Cohabitation Pitfalls & Solutions

Frequent Cause of Denial	Improvement / Solution
Single-person housing / weekly rentals	Contract a 1DK/2K or larger property
Separate residence registrations or mail not reaching both	Unify residence records; align addresses for mail and utilities
“Preparing to live together” with no evidence	Submit lease applications, viewing records, moving estimates
Insufficient explanation for living apart	Provide transfer orders, enrollment certificates, or caregiving documents as objective proof

2-3. Financial foundation (stability, continuity, tax compliance)

Immigration assesses whether the couple can maintain a stable life in Japan. This is judged not only by income amount but also by job stability, tax payment history, and pension/health insurance compliance—evaluated holistically.

Especially if you aim for permanent residency in the future, ensure that, in addition to local taxes, national pension and health insurance contributions are paid regularly. Plan your payments in advance.

Quick Reference — Financial Checkpoints & Countermeasures

Checkpoint	Countermeasure
Income amount, years of service, employment type	Submit employment contract, proof of employment, pay slips, and withholding/tax certificates
Taxation & payment for the past 1–3 years	Provide official taxation and payment certificates issued by your city/ward
National pension & health insurance payment status	Settle any unpaid amounts and attach receipts or payment records
Insufficient income	Supplement with bank balance certificates, a household budget, or proof of the spouse’s income
Self-employed applicants	Submit tax return copies, blue return financial statements, and accounting ledgers

2-4. Problems in past immigration status

Immigration carefully checks past status history. Even seemingly minor violations—working beyond the permitted hours, a short overstay, or leaving status unchanged after leaving school or work—can matter.

Do not conceal facts. Instead, explain them accurately and concretely, and show corrective measures and steps to prevent recurrence.

Quick Reference — Issues & Remedies for Past Status Problems

Issue	Countermeasure
Unauthorized work (over 28 hours/week)	Specify the period and hours accurately; explain your new work-hour management system
Short overstay	State the number of days and reasons; present measures for deadline control to avoid recurrence
Leaving status unchanged after leaving school/work	Explain the reason and provide proof that proper status change was completed thereafter
Other legal violations	Describe background, reflection, and improvements (e.g., enrollment in pension/insurance, professional support)

Point: Immigration weighs your subsequent response heavily. Accuracy and transparency help the review progress more than concealment.

2-5. Document defects or inconsistencies

One of the surprisingly common causes of denial is “document defects” or “inconsistencies.” Even small differences between documents can raise doubts about accuracy and reliability, leading to supplemental document requests or denial.

Quick Reference — Common Document Issues & Fixes

Common Issue	Fix
Residence record lacking full household and relationship details	Request a residence record issued as “full household with relationships”
Name spellings differ across passport, residence card, and residence record	Create a name-spelling unification table (English/native) and apply consistently
Dates and addresses differ among documents	Cross-check and align dates and addresses across all documents before submission

2-6. Failure to meet legal requirements (valid marriage in both countries)

A spouse visa requires that the marriage be legally valid in both Japan and the partner’s country. International marriages may require additional registration or authentication in the foreign spouse’s country. Apostille or MOFA/consular legalization may be needed, sometimes with validity periods.

Quick Reference — Checks & Countermeasures for Marriage Validity

Common Problem	Countermeasure
Marriage not recognized in one country / authentication incomplete	Obtain marriage certificates from both countries and attach translations
Additional foreign registration required but not completed	Complete the required registration/authentication before applying
Type/expiry of authentication not confirmed	Verify the type and validity period of Apostille/consular legalization and submit within the valid period

Chapter 3: Understanding the Denial Notice and Reapplication Flow

Even if your spouse visa is denied, it is often possible to obtain approval upon reapplication if you accurately identify the reasons and take corrective actions. The key is to avoid emotional reactions and analyze with facts and documentation.

3-1. What to check in the denial notice

• Identify the rejection stage: eligibility, compliance with criteria, or appropriateness
• Check if correction is possible: some issues can be rectified with additional documents or explanations
• Interview or oral explanation: if suggested, actively participate to clear up misunderstandings

3-2. Basic steps before reapplying

1. Identify reasons for denial based on the notice, interview communications, and submitted documents
2. Collect missing evidence in line with the countermeasures in Chapter 2
3. Prepare a reason/explanation letter with a detailed timeline, evidence index, and improvements
4. Choose the right timing: do not reapply under unchanged conditions; complete improvements first
5. Professional check: have a third party (e.g., administrative scrivener) verify document consistency

Reapplication timing guideline

generally 3–6 months after denial. If all improvements are complete, earlier reapplication may be possible; reapplying without sufficient improvements risks another denial and can negatively affect future applications.

Chapter 4: Pre-Application “Evidence Set” Checklist

📋 Pre-Application Checklist for a Spouse Visa (Evidence Set)

Check	Evidence Item	Details / Notes
□	Relationship history from meeting to marriage	Describe in chronological order from how you met to marriage (start of relationship, proposal, wedding, start of cohabitation, etc.)
□	Photo records	Prepare multiple photos including family and friends, showing seasons and events
□	Communication records	Excerpts of LINE, emails, and call logs by month to demonstrate continuity
□	Housing-related evidence	Lease agreement (with co-occupant column), utility bills, records of mail delivery address
□	Income & tax-related evidence	Taxation and tax payment certificates, pay slips, proof of employment (for self-employed: complete set of tax return documents)
□	Insurance & pension payment status	Proof of enrollment, payment records (copy of pension book, payment slips, etc.)
□	Proof of marriage validity in both countries	Documents showing completion of required procedures in the spouse’s country; attach Apostille or MOFA/consular legalization if required
□	Name-spelling unification table	Create a list standardizing spellings in English, native language, and Japanese family register, and apply it to all documents
□	Evidence of family/friend awareness	Marriage announcement messages, invitations, SNS post records, etc.
□	Reason for living apart & cohabitation plan	Official documents such as transfer orders, enrollment certificates, caregiving records, plus a cohabitation start plan

Chapter 5: Common Misunderstandings (Q&A)

Q1. Are a few wedding photos enough?

No. Wedding photos alone are insufficient. Prepare everyday photos in chronological order from the dating period to the present.

Q2. Can we apply with separate residence registrations?

Only if there is a valid reason with supporting documents, together with a concrete cohabitation plan. Unjustified separation substantially increases the risk of denial.

Q3. Is there a fixed minimum income?

There is no legally fixed amount, but stability and continuity are important. Shortfalls can be supplemented with a bank balance certificate and a support plan.

Q4. Can I travel abroad during the application process?

Generally no. Especially during renewal applications, your residence card is surrendered; leaving Japan may be treated as withdrawal. Consult Immigration in advance if unavoidable.

Q5. Can same-sex couples apply for a spouse visa?

Not under current Japanese law. Consider other residency statuses (e.g., work visas, designated activities).

Chapter 6: Summary

Spouse visa screening focuses on four pillars: genuine marriage, cohabitation, stable financial foundation, and a good immigration record. Even if these are met, insufficient evidence or explanations can still result in denial.

The key is to submit comprehensive, consistent, and convincing documentation that clearly shows you live together stably as a married couple. If you feel uncertain or have experienced a denial, consult an immigration professional before reapplying.

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

“If you would like to obtain a spouse visa quickly and reliably, or if you feel uncertain about renewal or changing your residence status, please feel free to consult with our office in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka. We provide support for clients from all over Japan, making use of our experience in dealing with the Immigration Bureau.

If you wish to proceed with your spouse visa application smoothly and with confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

▶ Click here to see our fee schedule”

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