Job Discussion Forums

santo · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 11

Hey everyone! I plan on moving to Tokyo this coming January and will be getting married to my Japanese girlfriend of four years. My question is this is (if anyone happens to know): Are there any advantages to getting married here (in the U.S.) versus getting married in Japan? I am specifically interested in regards to visas, as pre-matrimonial(?) I would be moving to Japan on a tourist visa with the idea that we would get married and that I would recieve a "marriage visa" (if thats the right term) and this visa would grant me the time necessary to find a job as an ESL instructor. I will of course consult with an immigration lawyer here before I do anything, but I am anXious and if anyone has any insight at all into this I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Your forum is terrific! Thanks, S.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

good question. I`m getting hitched to a Japanese woman, so I am wondering about the visa too.
I also wonder what the pros and cons are when a Japanese wife takes her foreign husband`s name.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

"marriage visa" = spouse visa

Disadvantage to wife taking husband's name:
1. she will have to change her credit cards and driver's license
2. she might have problems at work. Some employers don't want married women to work, so to avoid this hassle, some women don't let on that they are married.

Advantage to wife taking husband's name:
1. I think that she has 6 months to decide this after getting married.
2. With the husband's name, kids will also have the husband's name. Not sure, but I think if she doesn't take her husband's name, kids have to have the wife's family name on the family register.

If you come to Japan on a tourist status, don't tell customs that you are coming to look for work, even if your intention is to do so after you get married here. Tourists are not permitted to look for work (technically), and you risk being put back on the next plane home.

Getting married is easy, as Paul wrote. In Japan, you get a certificate from your embassy to prove you are single, and the wife gets a copy of her family register, then you two fill out some simple forms at the ward office. You don't even get a marriage certificate unless you want one (400-1300 yen, depending on how fancy you want it to look). To get the spouse visa, show this change on her family register to the immigration office, plus fill out some simple forms and show some pictures of you two together, and in about 3-4 weeks you will get a spouse visa.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

If I get a spouse visa, will I still have to pay 6,000 yen for my next exit visa?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I have to make a slight correction to PaulH's first post. Just like with a work visa a spouse visa is completely at the whim of immigration. The length of your visa will be a surprise. I received a three year visa the first time I applied. A friend of mine received back to back one year visas. I think that people tend to get longer visas if they apply at the Tokyo central office.

If you get a spouse visa in Japan either you or your spouse must have a job that will provide proof of employment.