When You May Be Better Off Not Switching to a Spouse Visa
When You May Be Better Off Not Switching to a Spouse Visa
Holders of a Five-Year Work Visa, Highly Skilled Professionals, and Others
A foreign national who marries a Japanese citizen is not required to change their status of residence to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.”
If you already hold a valid work-related status of residence, you may generally continue residing and working in Japan under your existing status even after marrying a Japanese national.
In some cases, keeping your current work visa may actually be more advantageous than switching to a spouse visa.
One important consideration is the period of stay.
When a person first changes to the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status, the Immigration Services Agency may grant a one-year or three-year period of stay. Obtaining a five-year period of stay may take time.
By contrast, depending on the applicant’s employment circumstances and employer, holders of statuses such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services or Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) may already hold, or may be more likely to obtain, a five-year period of stay.
This distinction can become particularly important when considering a future application for permanent residence, especially where the applicable permanent residence requirements call for the applicant to hold the longest available period of stay.
Accordingly, a foreign national who already holds a favorable work-related status—particularly a five-year work visa or Highly Skilled Professional status—should not automatically assume that switching to a spouse visa is the best option simply because they have married a Japanese citizen.
Depending on the individual circumstances, maintaining an Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa, Highly Skilled Professional status, or another work-related status may be more advantageous from the perspective of:
- maintaining a longer period of stay;
- future permanent residence planning;
- preserving benefits associated with Highly Skilled Professional status; and
- overall long-term immigration strategy.
Marriage to a Japanese national creates an additional immigration option, but it does not necessarily mean that the spouse visa is the best option.
Before changing your status of residence, it is therefore advisable to compare your existing status with the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status and consider which route is most advantageous for your long-term residence in Japan.
Professional
Masakazu Murai
18 years’ experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley (JV, MUFG Bank and Morgan Stanley). He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
During his tenure, he worked as an employee union executive committee member in promoting diversity, including the active participation of foreigners and women in the office, and engaged in activities to improve the working environment. He specializes in financial consulting and VISA/PR consulting.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
