Marriage / Family

Spouse / Marriage visa

It is generally called Spouse visa or Marriage visa. The official name of the status of residence is “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”. Following applicant is to apply to this visa.
　

1. Japanese Spouse

“Spouse” means a person who is in marital status. It isn’t defined as spouse in case the spouse passed away or divorced. Common-law husband / wife is not defined as spouse.

Also, even if the person is legally in the marital status, if it is judged as the actual status of marriage is not appropriate (living separately, less relationship each other…etc), residence qualification is not to be approved as Japanese spouse at immigration bureau.
　
　

2. Special adopted child (excluding a normal adopted child.)

“Special adopted child” (generally under the age of 6) means a child who is cut off the relationship as the real child from founding parents and established the relationship with parent-in-law as if real child on the legal judgement by the family court.

Some clients consult us if the visa is approved when foreigners are adopted by Japanese parents, however, most cases are for a normal adoption (adult foreigners), so it will not help to be issued Special adopted child visa.
　
　

3. Child of Japanese National.

It is applied when their father or mother has Japanese nationality, or when the father, who holds Japanese nationality, passed away before their birth. It is also applied when the Japanese parents expatriated Japanese nationality after their birth and it doesn’t affect even if the child is not born in Japan. It includes a legitimate/acknowledged child.
　
　

Dependent visa

Dependent visa is for a spouse and children to live with their family in Japan who already hold Working VISA or Student visa.

Dependent person is to be defined as followings.
-The husband and wife are living together and the one (husband or wife) economically depends on his/her partner.
-Children who are in the custody by parents.

Dependent visa even covers children who are over the age of 20 if they are under the dependent of their parents. However, in case the spouse or children get a certain amount of earnings, Dependent visa holder has to be re-applied for another proper visa.

“Spouse” mentioned above means the one who is on marital status. Dependent visa is not applied to common-law husband/wife, fiancé / fiancee.

We have a lot of requests from overseas student in Japan to invite their spouse these days. However, it is very difficult to obtain the visa as their income is not stable because student visa allows only part-time job.
　
　

Long Term Resident visa

Long Term Resident visa is the status of residence granted by the Minister of Justice in consideration of each applicant’s situation. Therefore the applicant must prove the necessity of residence in Japan to apply for the visa.

Ministry of Justice in Japan notifies following cases for this visa.
-Relating with refugees.
-Relating with non-Japanese of Japanese descent.
-Spouse of Long Term Resident.

There are some exceptional cases as a humane measure such as Japanese, Permanent Resident, Long Term Resident, real child who is dependent on Long Term Resident (have to be unmarried and minor), however, the applicant has to prove the necessity to live in Japan.

Long Term Resident visa does not have limitation on type of works. The person with the visa can engage in any kind of activity just as Japanese. But still the visa extension is necessary as it is different from Permanent Residence.

The majority of consultations regarding the visa application is from those who divorced Japanese spouse. In this case, the applicants generally have to return their country. As a humane measure, Long Term Resident visa is often granted as they don’t have local infrastructure to live in their countries. Also, when those who holds permanent residence or spouse or child of Japanese national visa desire to invite their parents/children in their countries to live together in Japan, it is possible to obtain Long Term Residence visa.

It is relatively difficult to apply for this visa as there is no certain standard. Please consult us if you would like to apply for this visa as there are some more exceptional cases to be approved.