Job Discussion Forums

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

Hey all. I got married in August to a lovely Japanese girl. This happens to coincide with the fact that my Specialist in the Humanities Visa is expiring in December. At first I thought it would be a no brainer to switch to a spouse visa, but last night I talked to a friend who cautioned against this.

He told me that the spouse visas are only good for one year and that you keep having to re-apply every year. On my teaching Visa I got three years.

Can someone give me some advise on which one I should pursue?

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

This is what I know from personal experience.When you first apply for the spouse visa(actually permit) they give you a one year permit and when you re-apply the next year they usually give you an extension for 3 years.Of course this 3 year extension is case by case.You should also apply for the re-entry permit at the same time to save time later.
Once you have been married for 3 years you can apply for PR.
Hope this helps you out.
Cheers. Cool

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

also with a spouse visa you dont need a sponsor for your visa. Your wife effectively becomes your sponsor of your visa. Not only that you can do other things than simply teach English on a spouse visa.

A word of warning- Lovely as your wife may be, if you split up in the meantime, or get divorced (it does happen, believe me) you can lose your visa (as you wouldnt be married anymore) and your right to stay in the country, and you have to find a sponsor for a visa all over again to stay here.

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

Thanks guys. I didn't realize that initially you are given a permit. Paul, I'm not too worried about the loss of visa due to divorse scenario. My wife is more important to me than living in Japan.

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

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

According to my friend, which is what brought me to bring this up, the folks at immigration view you as a new person when you apply for the spouse visa. They told him that his previous stay and visas had no bearing on the spouse visa. He was given a one year spouse visa. He just renewed it the other day and they gave him another one year visa much to his dismay.

I'm well aquainted with the re-entry permit. It seems like Shonai Ben was talking about two different things in his post.

I'm guessing everyone that has responded so far is on a spouse visa.

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

Yes I was talking about 2 things,the spouse visa and re-entry permit.
However, I have a permit in my passport saying that I am the spouse of a Japanese national.I think everyone refers to this as a spouse visa.I also have a re-entry permit.
I hope this clears up any confusion.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

At what point do you not need re-entry permits?
Is it after you have Japanese citizenship?

The whole idea of a re-entry permit is ridiculous. Rolling Eyes

A visa is all you should need. However, nothing surprises me anymore about the red tape here. I was in for a big surprise this spring when my family and I left Japan for a holiday and immigration at the airport asked to see our re-entry permits. Shocked

I had no idea that you needed a permit and a visa. I thought they were the same.

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

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

I have a permanent resident visa and I still need a re-entry visa every time I leave the country or else I would lose my PR visa. Only those who are naturalised or holding little little blue or red passports with "Nihon" stamped on them dont need re-entry permits.