This page lists all 17 documents you need for “Permanent residence application (spouse)”. Tap any document to see what it is, where to get it, how to request it and what it costs.
Application for permanent residence permissionThis is the MAIN form of the whole application — Application for permanent residence permission (永住許可申請書), issued by the Immigration Services Agency…See detailsWhat this document is
This is the MAIN form of the whole application — Application for permanent residence permission (永住許可申請書), issued by the Immigration Services Agency. Every other document is an attachment to it; without it you cannot file at all.
What it must show
- Use the LATEST official version — old versions may be rejected
- Fill it in Japanese, clearly, with no corrections
- Attach the photo and sign in the designated boxes
- Some procedures have a section for your COMPANY / sponsor to fill in — ask them to complete it
Where to get it
Download the latest version from the Immigration Services Agency website, or pick it up at an Immigration counter. IIKANZI VISA can also fill it in for you and export a print-ready PDF.
How to get it
- Option 1: download the blank form from the Agency site and fill it in by hand
- Option 2: use IIKANZI VISA — answer step by step, the app fills the right boxes and exports a PDF
- Print it, sign, attach the photo, and submit together with the other documents
Cost & time
The form itself is free. A fee (paid with a 収入印紙 revenue stamp) applies only when your application is APPROVED — check the Agency's current fee notice.
Notes
Each procedure uses a different form — submitting the wrong one gets your application returned. Check the form name above before printing.
Guarantor informationThe personal guarantor (身元保証人) pledges to support the applicant's living and legal compliance. For a spouse/child case this is usually the…See detailsWhat this document is
The personal guarantor (身元保証人) pledges to support the applicant's living and legal compliance. For a spouse/child case this is usually the husband/father who already holds permanent residence. If the family applies together, the husband's/father's documents are shared as ONE set — write 同時申請 (simultaneous application) when submitting.
Husband's Residence / PR CardYour current residence card. Photograph/enter it to capture the card number, residence status, and expiry.See detailsWhat this document is
Your current residence card. Photograph/enter it to capture the card number, residence status, and expiry.
What it must show
- Photograph BOTH SIDES
- The back has the address + renewal notes
Where to get it
You keep it (law requires you to carry it).
How to get it
- Photograph the front (photo + card number + status + expiry)
- Photograph the back (address + notes)
Notes
Bring the original when submitting at the Bureau.
Letter of GuarantorA pledge by the guarantor (the family breadwinner, or a Japanese / permanent resident) guaranteeing the living costs + legal compliance of the…See detailsWhat this document is
A pledge by the guarantor (the family breadwinner, or a Japanese / permanent resident) guaranteeing the living costs + legal compliance of the permanent-residence applicant.
What it must show
- Use the Immigration Bureau's form (mimoto-hoshousho)
- The guarantor signs (+ seal if available)
Where to get it
Download the form from the Immigration Bureau website.
How to get it
- Have the breadwinner fill in the guarantor form (mimoto-hoshousho)
- That person's income / employment documents are already in the stations above
Notes
A personal guarantee (mimoto-hoshou) is a moral commitment; it needs someone with stable income & status.
Certificate of EmploymentA company-issued letter confirming you are an employee: position, job duties, start date, and salary.See detailsWhat this document is
A company-issued letter confirming you are an employee: position, job duties, start date, and salary.
What it must show
- Company name + official seal
- States position, job duties, start date, salary
Where to get it
Your company's HR / general affairs department.
How to get it
- Ask the company to issue this letter
- Say clearly it's for a residence renewal / change of status
Notes
The job duties must MATCH your residence status (e.g. Engineer = technical/office work, not manual labor).
Guarantor's tax documentsIncome + municipal-tax certificate issued by the city hall (shiyakusho). Permanent residence requires MULTIPLE YEARS (usually 5 years for the main…See detailsWhat this document is
Income + municipal-tax certificate issued by the city hall (shiyakusho). Permanent residence requires MULTIPLE YEARS (usually 5 years for the main applicant, 3 years for spouse/children) to prove stable income.
What it must show
- One sheet per year — get ALL required years
- Low income may be a tax-exempt version (hikazei)
Where to get it
The city hall where you resided on JANUARY 1 of EACH year. If you moved cities → apply at the former city for that year.
How to get it
- Go to the city hall and request this for each year
- Get all required years (5 or 3 years)
Cost & time
About 300 yen per sheet per year.
Notes
This is LOCAL tax. NATIONAL tax is requested separately at the tax office (zeimusho) — see the next item.
Husband's pension & health insuranceProves the breadwinner (the earner supporting the whole family) has paid pension (nenkin) + health insurance (kenkou-hoken) IN FULL and ON TIME for…See detailsWhat this document is
Proves the breadwinner (the earner supporting the whole family) has paid pension (nenkin) + health insurance (kenkou-hoken) IN FULL and ON TIME for the last 2 years. The Bureau scrutinizes this very strictly.
What it must show
- Pension (nenkin): the periodic notice (nenkin teikibin) / printout from Nenkin Net / receipts
- Health insurance: receipts or a certificate of premium payment
- A full 24 months, with NO late months
Where to get it
Pension: the pension office (nenkin jimusho) / Nenkin Net. Health insurance: through your company (social insurance) or the city hall (National Health Insurance).
How to get it
- Paying through the company (social insurance): get confirmation from HR
- Paying yourself: request it at the pension office (nenkin jimusho) / city hall
- Print out the full last 2 years
Notes
Even a single late payment can be judged negatively — prepare this item most carefully.
Certificate of ResidenceCertificate of residence and household members (juuminhyo). For sponsorship / family cases you need the version that lists the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD and…See detailsWhat this document is
Certificate of residence and household members (juuminhyo). For sponsorship / family cases you need the version that lists the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD and INCLUDES the relationship, to prove your relationship with family.
What it must show
- The WHOLE-HOUSEHOLD version — 世帯全員 (not the single-person one)
- INCLUDES the RELATIONSHIP to the head of household — 続柄 shown (あり)
- INCLUDES NATIONALITY (国籍) and RESIDENCE STATUS (在留資格) for foreign residents
- Does NOT print the My Number (個人番号) — the Bureau will NOT accept a version with My Number
Where to get it
The CITY HALL where you're currently registered — 市役所 (city) or 区役所 (ward, in large cities). Find the nearest: open Google Maps and type “市役所” or “区役所” + your city/ward name → pick the closest. With a My Number card you can also get it at a kiosk in a convenience store.
How to get it
- Bring your residence card (在留カード) or My Number card to the city hall and take a number for the resident-record (住民票) counter
- Say (or hand over a note): 「世帯全員、続柄記載あり、マイナンバー無しの住民票を１通ください」— meaning: “Please give me 1 whole-household resident record, WITH relationship, WITHOUT My Number.”
- Pay ~300 yen, receive it the same day. Large households may span 2 pages → ask for both pages
Cost & time
About 300 yen per copy. Issued the same day.
Notes
A version missing the relationship, or one that PRINTS My Number, will be returned by the Bureau — remember to state both conditions when requesting.
Letter of ConsentA form you sign to CONSENT to the Bureau looking up / verifying your tax, insurance, and pension information when reviewing permanent residence.See detailsWhat this document is
A form you sign to CONSENT to the Bureau looking up / verifying your tax, insurance, and pension information when reviewing permanent residence.
What it must show
- Use the Immigration Bureau's form
- Sign exactly as in your passport
Where to get it
Download the form from the Immigration Bureau website, or we provide it.
How to get it
- Fill in your name + sign
- Submit with the document set
Notes
Without this the Bureau may be unable to look up your info → delay or rejection.
ID photo (4×3cm)A portrait photo pasted onto the application form (for COE, on the applicant's page). The Bureau uses it for identification.See detailsWhat this document is
A portrait photo pasted onto the application form (for COE, on the applicant's page). The Bureau uses it for identification.
What it must show
- Size 4×3 cm (height × width)
- Plain WHITE background, no pattern
- Taken within the last 3 months
- Face forward, no hat, no sunglasses, face clearly visible
Where to get it
An ID-photo booth (shoumei-shashinki) at a station / convenience store, or a photo shop (shashin-ya).
How to get it
- Find an ID-photo booth (shoumei-shashin) or go to a photo shop
- Choose the 4×3cm size (the visa / résumé type)
- Print or save the photo; the app will insert it into the form
Cost & time
Automated booth ~800–1000 yen.
Notes
You may use a white-background camera app, but the photo must be clear and exactly a 4×3 ratio.
PassportPassport to verify identity. When submitting in person at the Bureau you must BRING THE ORIGINAL to show.See detailsWhat this document is
Passport to verify identity. When submitting in person at the Bureau you must BRING THE ORIGINAL to show.
What it must show
- Still valid
- Photograph/enter the personal-info page (the page with your photo)
Where to get it
You keep it. If expired: apply for a reissue at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in Japan.
How to get it
- Photograph the info page clearly (photo + passport number)
- Bring the original when submitting at the Bureau
Notes
The app stores photos on your device and doesn't send them online.
Current Residence CardYour current residence card. Photograph/enter it to capture the card number, residence status, and expiry.See detailsWhat this document is
Your current residence card. Photograph/enter it to capture the card number, residence status, and expiry.
What it must show
- Photograph BOTH SIDES
- The back has the address + renewal notes
Where to get it
You keep it (law requires you to carry it).
How to get it
- Photograph the front (photo + card number + status + expiry)
- Photograph the back (address + notes)
Notes
Bring the original when submitting at the Bureau.
Marriage CertificateA marriage certificate proving the marital relationship with the breadwinner, with a Japanese translation.See detailsWhat this document is
A marriage certificate proving the marital relationship with the breadwinner, with a Japanese translation.
What it must show
- A marriage extract (Vietnam) or marriage document (Japan)
- With a Japanese translation clearly naming the translator
Where to get it
Vietnam: the commune/ward People's Committee. Japan: the city hall.
How to get it
- Request the marriage extract
- Translate into Japanese + write the translator's name, date
Notes
The content must MATCH the relationship section of the residence record you submitted.
- Your work & incomeA company-issued letter confirming you are an employee: position, job duties, start date, and salary.See details
What this document is
A company-issued letter confirming you are an employee: position, job duties, start date, and salary.
What it must show
- Company name + official seal
- States position, job duties, start date, salary
Where to get it
Your company's HR / general affairs department.
How to get it
- Ask the company to issue this letter
- Say clearly it's for a residence renewal / change of status
Notes
The job duties must MATCH your residence status (e.g. Engineer = technical/office work, not manual labor).
Your tax documentsCertificate of annual INCOME + municipal (resident) tax (課税証明書, kazei-shōmeisho). The version to use now is Reiwa 7 nendo · 2024 income.See detailsWhat this document is
Certificate of annual INCOME + municipal (resident) tax (課税証明書, kazei-shōmeisho). The version to use now is Reiwa 7 nendo · 2024 income.
What it must show
- Shows total annual income + municipal tax amount
- Request exactly the Reiwa 7 nendo · 2024 income version
Where to get it
Apply at the CITY HALL (shiyakusho) where you were REGISTERED AS A RESIDENT on 1/1/2025. If you lived in a different city on that date, you must apply at that former city.
How to get it
- Bring your residence card (or My Number card) to the city hall
- Request the Reiwa 7 nendo · 2024 income version
- With a My Number card you can also get it at a kiosk in a convenience store
Cost & time
About 300 yen per copy. Issued the same day.
Notes
Why NOT a newer year (income 2025): that year's municipal tax is paid in several installments and is only FULLY paid around early 2027 — until then the tax-payment certificate is not “clean”. So for now, get all 3 documents consistently for the 2024 income year.
Your pension recordsProves the breadwinner (the earner supporting the whole family) has paid pension (nenkin) + health insurance (kenkou-hoken) IN FULL and ON TIME for…See detailsWhat this document is
Proves the breadwinner (the earner supporting the whole family) has paid pension (nenkin) + health insurance (kenkou-hoken) IN FULL and ON TIME for the last 2 years. The Bureau scrutinizes this very strictly.
What it must show
- Pension (nenkin): the periodic notice (nenkin teikibin) / printout from Nenkin Net / receipts
- Health insurance: receipts or a certificate of premium payment
- A full 24 months, with NO late months
Where to get it
Pension: the pension office (nenkin jimusho) / Nenkin Net. Health insurance: through your company (social insurance) or the city hall (National Health Insurance).
How to get it
- Paying through the company (social insurance): get confirmation from HR
- Paying yourself: request it at the pension office (nenkin jimusho) / city hall
- Print out the full last 2 years
Notes
Even a single late payment can be judged negatively — prepare this item most carefully.
- Statement of ReasonsA statement SELF-WRITTEN by the applicant explaining the reasons for wanting to stay in Japan permanently (family ties, stable life).See details
What this document is
A statement SELF-WRITTEN by the applicant explaining the reasons for wanting to stay in Japan permanently (family ties, stable life).
What it must show
- Japanese, about 1 A4 page
- Honest, CONSISTENT with the breadwinner's documents
How to get it
- Describe your life in Japan with your family
- State your long-term commitment
- Sign + date at the end
Notes
Content that contradicts the breadwinner's documents is a heavy minus.