If you are married to a Japanese national or a permanent resident of Japan and wish to cohabit with them in Japan, you will need a Japan Spouse Visa, also known as a Japanese Marriage Visa. It allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan with their Japanese spouse and is one of the most popular visas for those desiring to spend a life together in Japan. However, getting a spouse visa comes with its requirements and application process. In the blog post, we'll discuss the Japan Spouse Visa in detail, along with eligibility criteria, the application process, and some essential tips for ensuring a smooth application experience.
A Japan Spouse Visa or Japanese Marriage Visa is a type of visa with permission for foreign nationals to live and work in Japan based on their marriage to a citizen of Japan or a Japanese permanent resident. It is a residence visa usually valid for 1 up to 3 years and eligible for renewal.
The visa targets spouses of Japanese nationals. It is the one through which the marriage will be legalized in Japan, after which the foreign spouse will be at liberty to live and work within that country.
To apply for a Japan Spouse Visa, the requirements for the foreign spouse and the Japanese spouse are as follows: However, they must satisfy the following primary requirements:
The applicant must be lawfully married to a Japanese national or permanent resident of Japan. This must be a valid marriage between the foreign spouse's country of origin and Japan.
The wedding should be genuine and not a "marriage of convenience" to enter the country through a visa. Since Japanese immigration authorities would check all aspects deeply upon this point to determine whether the relationship between the two is genuine, evidence of the genuineness of the relationship shall be among the main requirements. This evidence may consist of joint bank accounts, photographs, correspondence, etc., that prove the relationship between the couple is real.
The Japanese spouse must prove that they have an adequate income or other financial resources to support the foreign spouse. To determine this, the Japanese immigration authorities will consider the sponsor's ability to help themselves and their spouse's living expenses. In general, the monthly income of the Japanese spouse should be at least ¥200,000-¥250,000, but such a requirement may vary depending on other situations.
It should be shown that there is a stable and continuing relationship with the Japanese spouse. It can be illustrated through visits to family and cohabitation, among others, which can prove that they have been staying together and have an actual partnership.
Both spouses should not have a criminal record or past crimes of immigration. If a foreign or Japanese spouse has a criminal history, it would complicate the visa application.
Obtaining a Japanese spouse visa is easy but detailed. Here is a step-by-step process of how to apply for a Marriage Visa Japan:
You will need to gather the necessary paperwork before submitting your application. Depending on which local Japanese embassy or consulate you're working with, the list of paperwork may differ. However, generally speaking, you can expect to gather the following paperwork for presentation:
Once you have collected your documents, please submit them to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. If you are already in Japan, you can directly apply to the regional immigration office.
It might take weeks, even months, if you are outside of Japan. This also depends on how long the embassy or consulate processes their applications.
Japan may request an interview by immigration authorities to determine the genuineness of the relationship. The interview is mainly conducted in Japanese; hence, it is a good use of time for the foreign spouse to avail themselves of a translator if available.
Japanese immigration officers will review your application after you submit it. The review may take some time, but you can expect your decision in 1-3 months. If your visa is approved, it means that your application was approved; you will receive a sticker visa attached to your passport that will grant you clearance for entry into Japan
When you arrive in Japan, you will receive a Residence Card at the airport immigration counter. This is your official ID in Japan.
A Japan Spouse Visa lasts approximately 1 to 3 years, depending on the case. Once these years have passed, the visa holder can apply for an extension or renewal of their visa. Renewal is easy if the couple remains legally married and the Japanese spouse has met all the necessary financial standards.
Depending upon the couple's situation, if they have been married for quite an extended period, in most cases more than 3 years, and have proved to be a stable life together, then after some application, the possibilities for permanent residency can crop up. Permanent residency means that the foreign spouse may stay in Japan permanently without the compulsion to renew the visa.
Japanese immigration scrutinizes visa applications very strictly; thus, applicants must present proof of relationship as transparent as possible; for a suspicious marriage, the procedure shall be delayed or disqualified.
A Japan Spouse Visa is a great opportunity for foreigners who marry Japanese people or permanent residents to live and work in Japan. Though it may be a frightening process, adequate preparation and the provision of proper documentation assist many couples in obtaining a visa and starting their new life in Japan. Those desirous of applying for the Japanese Marriage Visa should, therefore, follow the necessary procedure by ensuring they keep the relationship stable with their partner and have satisfied all the legal requirements for approval.
One should get the help of an immigration attorney or visa consultant if there is any confusion about the process or while documentation to make the application smooth and without any hassles.