【I really need to know!】 Is it difficult to get a spouse visa for 3 years?
A foreigner who is married to a Japanese national may obtain a “spouse visa. At that time, the period of stay is granted, but the period of stay differs depending on the applicant (foreign spouse). How is this determined?
Period of stay for spouse visa
The spouse visa is officially called “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” visa status. Even if you obtain this visa, the period of stay in Japan is not unlimited.
The typical period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months. In most cases, a spouse who first obtains a spouse visa after marrying a Japanese national is granted a one-year period of stay (validity period).
The first renewal is usually for one year, and the second renewal is usually for three years.
However, it is not always the case that a three-year period of stay is granted at the second renewal. It is not uncommon to receive only one year.
How do I get a 3-year period of stay?
In order to be granted a 3-year period of stay, the following two requirements must be met.
The first is that your life must be stable and your marriage must be expected to continue. In other words, if there is a problem with the continuity or stability of the marriage in Japan in the future, it will not be granted for 3 years, but will be renewed once a year to check for continuity, etc.
The second is “compliance with legal obligations. For example, paying taxes and social insurance premiums without delay, and fulfilling notification obligations stipulated in the Immigration Control Act. Examples of this notification obligation are a change of address (within 14 days) or a change of affiliation due to a job change, etc. (within 14 days).
Is 3 years difficult?
It is not difficult to be granted a 3-year period of stay on a spouse visa. If you fulfill the requirements explained earlier, there is a very high probability that you will be granted 3 years.
Again, to obtain a 3-year spouse visa, you only need to be recognized as having a steady income, paying taxes and social insurance premiums on time, and having a solid marriage.
To prove the above requirements, it is recommended that you prepare a “Statement of Reasons for Application” at the time of renewal of the spouse visa, not only attaching the necessary documents, but also stating the points you wish to emphasize.
However, since the Immigration Bureau keeps the documents you have submitted so far, you should strictly refrain from exaggerating your statement or stating false matters.
Summary
Generally, a three-year period of stay is granted for the second renewal. If you wish to apply for a three-year period of stay, we recommend that you comply with the two requirements explained above and attach a “Statement of Reasons for Application.
