“Spouse Visa Questionnaire Guide｜20 Common Mistakes and Supporting Documents to Strengthen Your Case”

Introduction

When applying for a spouse visa, the “Questionnaire” is one of the most important documents to demonstrate the genuine nature of the marriage.
If it contains errors or ambiguous descriptions, the immigration office may request additional documents or even issue a denial.

In this article, an administrative scrivener explains 20 common mistakes seen in practice with concrete examples, and how to use supporting documents to strengthen your case.

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The Role of the Questionnaire

The questionnaire supplements information that cannot be shown through resident records or family registers alone.
It explains the couple’s daily life and relationship in detail, from the start of the relationship to marriage, cohabitation, financial stability, and family ties.

For immigration officers to feel assured, the answers must be consistent, factual, and specific, not just formal statements.

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20 Common Mistakes in the Questionnaire (with Examples)

No	Mistake	Example	Why It’s a Problem
1	Very short dating period	“Married after 1 month of dating”	Without supporting evidence, may be seen as a sham marriage
2	Vague explanation of how you met	Just writing “introduced by a friend”	Must specify when, who, and in what situation
3	Timeline inconsistencies	Start of relationship written as May, but photos show March	Conflicting dates can be judged as false
4	No evidence of relationship	“No evidence available”	Should include LINE/chat logs, remittance records, etc.
5	Unnatural Japanese	“I life OK happy”	Appears ghostwritten, raises suspicion
6	Cohabitation date mismatch	Questionnaire says Jan, resident record shows Mar	Inconsistency raises doubts about actual cohabitation
7	Job description incomplete	Just writing “part-time worker”	Should include employer, hours, and income
8	Vague income description	“Around 200,000 yen”	Needs payslips or tax documents as proof
9	Address mismatch	Questionnaire: Apartment A, Contract: Apartment B	Contradiction suggests no real residence
10	Hiding family opposition	Writes “family fully supportive” though some opposed	If found later, credibility is lost
11	Omitting prior marriage	Register shows a previous marriage but “none” is written	Concealment = serious risk of denial
12	Contradiction about children	Wrote “no children” but register shows child	Inconsistency in family details is fatal
13	Discrepancy with other forms	Start date differs between application form and questionnaire	Documents lose overall consistency
14	Omitting financial supporter	Receiving help from parents but not written	Leads to judgment of insufficient financial stability
15	Not explaining job changes	“Worked Jan–Mar 2024” with no reason for leaving	Short-term jobs without explanation = instability
16	Not explaining overseas marriage procedure	Just wrote “married in 2023”	Must explain overseas registration → Japanese notification process
17	Unnatural daily life description	“We always spend weekends studying at the library”	Too artificial, lacks authenticity
18	Language inconsistency	Wrote “conversation in Japanese” though spouse speaks no Japanese	Immediately discovered in interview
19	Very few meetings	“Met only twice before marriage”	Long-distance couples must add flight records, call logs
20	Writing “don’t remember” for many answers	Half of the form filled with “none” or “don’t remember”	Seen as insincere and careless

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Supporting Documents List (Essential / Recommended / Bonus)

Although the questionnaire is text-based, credibility is greatly improved by submitting supporting evidence.
Think of documents in three levels: Essential, Recommended, and Bonus.

Category	Supporting Documents	Key Point
Essential	Family register, resident certificate, marriage certificate	Basic legal documents. Omission = immediate defect.
	Residence card, passport	Proof of identity and status.
	Income documents (tax certificate, withholding slip)	Central to proving financial ability.
Recommended	Chat/LINE/email logs	Show continuity of relationship.
	Photos (wedding, trips, family gatherings)	Demonstrates authenticity at a glance.
	Cohabitation proof (lease, utility bills)	Proves shared residence and stability.
	Employment proof (employment contract, certificate)	Strengthens financial reliability.
Bonus	Evidence of family ties (photos, greeting cards with parents)	Shows wider family acceptance.
	Bankbook copies	Adds proof of financial stability.
	Insurance certificates (health, life insurance)	Demonstrates long-term planning.
	Written explanation of special circumstances (long-distance, age gap, remarriage)	Being honest about difficulties can increase trust.

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Conclusion

The spouse visa questionnaire is a core document to prove the genuineness of your relationship.
Improper answers can increase the risk of denial, but using supporting evidence can make your application much stronger.

• Consistency and specificity are essential.
• Avoid the 20 common mistakes at all costs.
• Organize supporting documents into Essential, Recommended, and Bonus.
• If you feel unsure, consult a professional to prepare effectively.

👉 The key to spouse visa approval is consistency across all documents + sufficient supporting evidence. Prepare thoroughly to maximize your chances of success.

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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