A processing method for a wafer which has, on a surface thereof, a device region in which a plurality of devices are formed and partitioned by division lines and an outer periphery excess region surrounding the device region, includes a dividing groove formation step of irradiating a laser beam of a wavelength having absorbability by a wafer along the division lines to form dividing grooves serving as start points of cutting, and a dividing step of applying external force to the wafer on which the dividing grooves are formed to cut the wafer into the individual devices. At the dividing groove formation step, the dividing grooves are formed along the division lines in the device region while a non-processed region is left in the outer periphery excess region on extension lines of the division lines.