Job Discussion Forums

[Vince]

All these years, I've been under the impression that a spousal visa can simply be ridden out after a divorce. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I just found out that it isn't true. At the very least, foreigners on spousal visas are required to notify immigration of the divorce.

I can't seem to link directly to the relevant immigration page, but you can get to it by clicking http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/index.html, then under the section titled "Procedures concerning the residency management system," clicking "Notification concerning the organization or the spouse." Item 3 of that page says you have 14 days after divorce to notify them. Going back to the link above, click "Revocation Status of Residence" and read item 2.vii. That implies that a divorced foreigner has six months to sort out a new status of residence. I assume the foreigner would get more info after notifying them.

I found about this after reading a post from 2013 on another forum. The guy was recently divorced, riding out his spousal visa, and was suddenly contacted by immigration and told to declare his current situation. Just so you know ...

[timothypfox]

I'm not going to weigh in on the spousal visa issue, but I strongly recommend acquiring permanent resident status before the conclusion of a divorce. Once you have permanent resident status authorities won't revoke it even if you divorce shortly after. Furthermore, they don't seem to really care.