Hello. I'm Nakajima, in charge of Applying for Relationship-based VISA.
Someone who have “Spousal of Japanese National” visa may want to get a divorce. The international marriage not always go well… especially in Japan, it takes a lot of time to adopt themselves to Japan’s social custom so most of you must feel uneasy.
This article is for someone who wish to live in Japan after divorce.
○About Visa qualification after divorce
・Spouse or Child of Japanese National
You will lose the spousal status if you get divorced, which means you do not fulfil
the requirement of Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa. If you wish to
continue to live in Japan, you must change your Visa.
○About Visa procedure after divorce
・Most of them change their Visa to “Long-Term Residence.” Long-Term Residence
Visa is issued when the Immigration Bureau permits their residence in consideration of “special circumstances”.
Taking their previous activities, their economic situations, etc. into consideration,
the judge was made comprehensively.
Examples of “special circumstances”
1．You wish to continue to live in Japan
2．You have sufficient assets or skills that enable you to maintain your life
independently
3. You are raising a child born as a child of Japanese national
4. You have the parental authority of a child who were born as a child of Japanese
national and have been caring for the child for a considerable period in Japan
This includes cases where it is difficult for you to return to the home country because you have lived in Japan for a long time. Please clarify why you wish to stay in Japan.
○Please report the Divorce
If you get divorced (or lost your spouse), you must report it within 14 days from the date it occurred. There are 3 reporting methods:
1. Go directly to the Immigration Bureau
2. Send the copy of the notification and your residential card to the Immigration
Bureau by mail
3. Report it with the Internet notification system
If you neglect this obligation, it will affect your Visa renewal. You may obtain just 1 years of period of stay even if you are supposed to obtain 3 years if you have reported it correctly. Please do not forget this report.
When changing to Long-Term Resident visa, “sufficient assets or skills that enable you to maintain your life independently” often become a problem. In many cases they are not employed, doing housework and raising their children. If possible, it is better for you to find a job or save money before you get a divorce.
You cannot think it simply because your marriage is strictly related to your future, family and Visa… Please do not stress out all by yourself. Please ask us.
We can help find your best way with you.
Thank you for reading.
