Changing from Student Visa to Spouse Visa in Japan: How to Explain Work Restrictions, Tuition, and Part-Time Job History

What It Means to Change from a Student Visa to a Spouse Visa

If an international student gets married in Japan, they may apply to change their status of residence to a category such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.”

Changing to a spouse visa comes with major benefits: no work restrictions, and a longer period of stay (usually 1–3 years), making it easier to plan for the future.

However, simply submitting a marriage certificate is not enough. Immigration will carefully examine whether the marriage is genuine (not just formal) and whether the couple has a stable foundation for living in Japan.

This is especially true for those changing from student status, as immigration officers often scrutinize past student performance and work history. Clear, detailed explanations are crucial.

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When to Apply and How to Handle Enrollment Status

You can apply for a spouse visa even while you are still enrolled in school or before graduation. However, pay attention to the following points:

• If you are on a leave of absence or have withdrawn:
  Explain why you left school and how you plan to support yourself going forward.
• If you are applying before graduation:
  Clarify your plans after graduation and ensure they are consistent with your married life.
• While your application is pending:
  You will remain on your student visa during the review period, and the 28-hour-per-week work restriction continues to apply.

📌 Applying too early may raise suspicion that you are changing your status just to stay in Japan. It’s safer to apply after living together for a few months as a married couple.

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Key Points Immigration Will Examine

Work Restrictions and Permission for Part-Time Work

Students are not allowed to work unless they obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可), and even then only up to 28 hours per week.

Working beyond this limit is a status violation and can be a serious negative factor in your application.

Documents that can prove you followed the rules:

• Statements from part-time employers showing working hours
• Time sheets and pay slips
• Certificate of Enrollment from your school

If you worked more than 28 hours, submit a written explanation showing it was unavoidable for financial reasons and how you balanced it with your studies.

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Tuition Payment Status

If you have unpaid tuition, immigration may doubt your ability to live stably.
On the other hand, showing that you paid your tuition properly can demonstrate financial responsibility.

Helpful documents include:

• Tuition payment receipts or certificates
• Certificate of Enrollment and Academic Transcript
• Certificate of Expected Graduation

📌 If you had late payments, explain the reasons (e.g. delayed remittance from family, late scholarship payments) to reduce concerns.

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Part-Time Job and Work History

Immigration will also check your part-time job history during your student period.
You may need to provide explanations if:

• You worked long hours in jobs unrelated to your studies
• You changed jobs frequently or had many short-term jobs
• You mainly worked late-night shifts that could interfere with studies

In such cases, submit a brief written explanation showing why you worked that way and how you balanced it with school.

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Proving Your Living and Marital Situation

Immigration will also closely examine whether you have a stable household as a married couple.

• Proof of living together
  • Resident record showing the same household
  • Joint lease contract
  • Utility or internet bills under either spouse’s name
• Proof of stable finances
  • Employment certificate, tax certificates, tax payment certificates, salary statements of the main income earner
• Proof the marriage is genuine
  • Photos, messages, call logs, travel history, written relationship history, confirmation from family members

📌 If you have only recently started living together, prepare a written plan showing where and how you will live in the future.

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Additional Documents to Prove the Marriage Is Genuine

Because immigration may suspect that a student is pretending to marry just to stay in Japan, it is very important to submit evidence showing that your marriage is real.

• Messages or call logs from your relationship (with translations)
• Couple photos from different times and places
• Travel records or itineraries
• A written relationship history (1–2 pages explaining how you met and married)

📌 If you do not share a common language, mention what language you use to communicate and whether one of you translates or interprets—this strengthens credibility.

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Required Documents

Below are typical documents listed by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for this application:

Category	Main Documents
Basic	Application form, photo, residence card, passport
Marriage	Marriage registration certificate, family register (koseki), spouse’s resident record
Student	Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript, Certificate of Expected Graduation, part-time work permit
Finances	Employment certificate, tax and payment certificates, salary slips
Residence	Lease contract, utility/communication bills, joint bank account
Marriage Evidence	Photos, messages, call history, relationship history

📌 Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan – “Change of Status of Residence” required documents (latest version)

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How to Avoid Negative Evaluation

• Make sure there are no violations of the 28-hour work limit
• If you are on leave or have withdrawn, explain why and how you will live from now on
• Provide a simple plan for your future income and household finances (savings, expected job, housing costs, etc.)

📌 Immigration officers must be convinced that you can live stably in Japan long-term, so show your future plans clearly.

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Points to Watch After Switching to a Spouse Visa

Even after getting a spouse visa, there are still responsibilities:

• Work restrictions disappear, but suddenly starting full-time work may seem suspicious
• If you aim for permanent residency or naturalization, you must consistently pay taxes, social insurance, and pension contributions
• At future renewals, immigration will again review your marital and living situation

📌 Getting the spouse visa is not the goal, but the start of your new life in Japan.

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Summary

Changing from a student visa to a spouse visa is not just a simple status switch — it involves a full review of your student history, work history, and household stability.
By proving that you respected work limits, paid tuition properly, and can explain your part-time work history logically, you can greatly improve your chances of approval.

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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