Processing method for wafer and processing apparatus therefor

A processing method for wafers includes: a preparing step for preparing a wafer having an active device region and a reinforcing rib region. The active device region having plural devices is formed on a surface of the wafer, and the reinforcing rib region is at an outer circumferential edge of the wafer. The processing method further includes: a first grinding step for holding the surface of the wafer on a chuck table of a grinding apparatus and grinding an entire rear surface of the wafer by using a first grinding stone; and a second grinding process for grinding the entire rear surface of the wafer by using a second grinding stone which has an abrasive grain diameter smaller than that of the first grinding stone. The processing method further includes: a first recessed shape forming step for grinding a region of the rear surface which corresponds to the active device region of the surface by relatively moving the second grinding stone and the wafer, so that the reinforcing rib region is formed to be thicker than an inside region of the wafer and the wafer is formed into a recessed shape; and a second recessed shape forming step for grinding the region of the rear surface which corresponds to the active device region of the surface by using a third grinding stone which has an abrasive grain diameter smaller than that of the second grinding stone, so that the reinforcing rib region is formed to be thicker than the inside region of the wafer and the wafer is further formed into a recessed shape.