[Detailed explanation] Contents of the “reason for application” for a spouse visa and the aspects to consider when preparing it

2022-08-24

If a foreigner marries a Japanese citizen and wishes to live together in Japan, they need to apply for a spouse visa. When applying for the spouse visa, you may need to provide a reason for the application. In this article, you will learn how the spouse visa works, what the content of the reason for the spouse visa application should cover, and what errors you should look out for.

What is a spouse visa?

This visa is required when a foreigner marries a Japanese citizen and lives together in Japan. The official designation is “spouse or child of a Japanese national". Wives and husbands living in a common-law relationship cannot apply for a visa.

It is also possible to apply for a visa for foreigners who are a natural child of a Japanese citizen or a child adopted by a Japanese citizen through a special adoption.

The duration of spousal visas is 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. There are no special restrictions on the content of the activities.

What is the written reason for applying for a spouse visa?

This is one of the documents required to apply for the spouse visa. It is a document that describes the reason why the applicant should be granted the visa.

A concrete example showing the details of the spouse visa application process is as follows.

  • How did you meet each other?
  • How long did you know each other before you got married?
  • When did you get married?
  • Reason for staying in Japan as a couple
  • About the Japanese language skills of the foreign spouse
  • About the future married life

The format and content of the statement of reasons for the application are not prescribed and can be typed or handwritten.

However, a statement of reasons for the application is not always required.

Reason for submitting a reason for application

  • To show that the marriage is not a sham.

You can submit the reason for the application with the spousal visa application to show that the marriage is not a sham. In the past, there have been many cases of illegal acquisition of spousal visas, so the controls are now becoming stricter.

  • To prove you are economically stable

Another question is whether you have sufficient income to live a stable life in Japan. Even if your income has been low in the past, you can submit a pay stub showing your current income to prove that you can live a stable life.

Instructions for writing a reason for the application

Try to write in your own words so that the examiner can read it easily. If the document is too long, it may be difficult for the examiner to understand the whole story. So try to write it as simply as possible.

Generally, it should consist of 1000 to 2000 Japanese characters.

  • Include documents that support the content.

There is a possibility that your common history, from the first date to marriage, is not clear enough for the examiner. Therefore, it would be better to include photos of your dates, etc.

Summary

A reason for applying for a spousal visa is an important document to show that the marriage is not a sham. It also serves as proof that you have income in Japan.

When writing a reason for the application, try to put it in your own words.