[With Examples] How to Prove “Living Together” for a Spouse Visa｜Photos, Finances & Communication Records

Introduction

In the examination of a Spouse Visa (Spouse or Child of a Japanese National / Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident), the most crucial point is whether the couple is genuinely living together as husband and wife.
Marriage registration or a residence certificate alone is not sufficient. It is necessary to present evidence to immigration authorities that proves the reality of your shared life.

In this article, we explain how to collect and present materials such as photos, financial records, and communication logs to prove your cohabitation, while also referring to actual cases of visa denials.

---

Chapter 1. Why is Proof of “Living Together” Required?

The central focus of a Spouse Visa review is to determine whether the marriage is genuine. This visa type is subject to particularly strict screening in order to prevent sham marriages.

For this reason, documents like a marriage certificate or a residence record are not enough.
What immigration officers want to see is evidence that the couple is actually living together.

In fact, many denial notices point out “insufficient materials to prove cohabitation,” and the way you present your documents often determines the outcome.

---

Chapter 2. Types of Evidence That Are Effective

To prove cohabitation, it is most effective to provide evidence from multiple angles. Commonly used items include:

Type of Evidence	Examples	Key Point
Photos	Wedding, trips, everyday life	Avoid edited or “purikura”-style images. Provide photos from multiple time periods.
Finances	Rent payments, utility bills, joint account records, household budget	Shows that the couple is supporting each other financially.
Communication logs	LINE, email, call records	More important than long texts is the continuity of communication.
Postal items	Mail addressed to both, delivery slips	Reinforces that you live at the same address.
Contracts	Joint tenancy agreements, insurance cards, guarantor details	Provides strong proof of shared life.

👉 Tip: Don’t rely on just one type of evidence. Combining photos + finances + communication records makes your application more convincing.

---

Chapter 3. Key Points When Using Photos

Photos are the easiest to understand as evidence, but if presented incorrectly, they can give the impression of a “temporary relationship.” For example, wedding or travel photos alone don’t show that you are living together.

Presentation	Strength	Risk if Insufficient
Wedding / travel photos	Show special events	Lack of everyday life proof
Everyday photos	Home, outings, meals, natural settings	Most effective for proving daily cohabitation
With family / friends	Demonstrates social recognition of the relationship	Strengthens credibility
Purikura / heavily edited	Weak credibility	Can reduce trustworthiness

👉 In summary: Combine event photos with everyday and family-related photos to provide well-rounded proof.

---

Chapter 4. Proving Finances & Household Expenses

One of the clearest ways to prove cohabitation is by showing the flow of money. Beyond simply living in the same place, evidence that the couple shares and supports each other financially is highly persuasive.

Common Evidence and How to Present It

Type of Evidence	Examples	What It Proves
Rent / housing	Lease agreement, monthly bank transfer slips, receipts	Direct proof of living at the same residence
Utilities / communication	Electricity, gas, water bills; phone / internet invoices	Shows continuity of address and real-life usage
Bank accounts / transfers	Joint account records, money transfers for living costs	Proves financial unity
Household budgets / receipts	Records of groceries, daily expenses, receipts	Supplementary proof of shared daily spending

👉 Tip: Submitting just one type is weak. Combining rent + utilities + transfer records paints a more natural picture of shared life.

---

Chapter 5. Points to Note When Submitting Communication Records

Whether the couple communicates regularly is another important check point. LINE, email, and call logs are useful as supplementary proof that the relationship is natural and continuous.

Method	Key Point	Note
LINE logs (excerpts)	Select several short exchanges per month	Continuity is more important than long texts
Emails	Important discussions (e.g., travel, living costs)	Black out private content if needed
Call logs	Screenshots of call frequency	Frequency matters more than call duration

👉 Practical tip: There’s no need to submit hundreds of pages. A small but consistent sample over time is enough.

---

Chapter 6. Lessons from Denial Cases

Looking at past denials, the following patterns are often cited as “insufficient proof”:

• Too few photos, failing to show continuity of life
• No financial documents provided
• No explanation for periods of long-distance living or separation

👉 Note: Even if evidence is weak, attaching a written explanation of why it cannot be provided can make a big difference in how immigration officers view your case.

---

Chapter 7. Practical Advice for Proving Cohabitation

Finally, here are practical steps when preparing your application:

• Always attach a short statement of daily life along with the documents
• Ensure balance: photos + finances + communication records
• If documents are lacking, consult an immigration lawyer/administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi). They can suggest alternative documents or prepare an effective explanation.

Immigration officers do not simply count the number of documents. What matters is whether they are convinced that the couple is genuinely living together.

---

Conclusion

In Spouse Visa examinations, evidence of cohabitation plays a decisive role.
Avoid submitting only one type of proof. Instead, combine photos, finances, and communication records to strengthen your case.

If you have limited documents or are unsure what to submit, consult a professional. With the right preparation, you can significantly increase the reliability of your application.

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”

Related Articles