Hi,
I’m using a throwaway so none of my career stuff gets connected to my personal account.
I’m planning to move to Japan this winter with my Japanese husband who has a US Green Card and has not had a career in Japan. He moved here after college to be with me and now, a year or so later, we’re ready to go back. He has no job here either as I make sufficient income alone and he couldn’t even legally have one for most of his time here anyway.
We both plan on working upon returning to Japan but obviously I need a spousal visa first. My current employer, full disclosure, is my mother, who owns her own business. She pays me well and I will be able to do some remote work for her after we move. She said she would be glad to write a letter stating such.
When applying for the Spouse visa, can I show that I will continue to have work upon arrival in Japan and that my husband will find employment? His mother is willing to be a sponsor for me but I don’t think she makes more than a very basic wage.
Do I need to show savings as well? My husband actually has almost all my savings in his Japanese account because of the current USD/Yen situation and wanting to get in on that.
I’m kinda stressed because usually the Japanese spouse would be in Japan with a job but that is not the case. Any advice would be awesome! Thank you!
6 comments
Dependent visas typically have a working limit of 28 hours per week, as well as working remote opens up lots of taxing issues.
I’m personally only familiar with two USA persons moving to Japan, and so far has not been…great for my partner as an artist. Technically they can only do 28 hours a week unless they qualify for a visa of their own, but again I’m not sure how this equates for you with a Japanese partner.
You wouldn’t be the first person to move here with a spouse that doesn’t have a job lined up. Returnees are a thing.
Your husband’s JP bank account and your in-laws’ sponsorship will be what they look at.
Just to confirm that your husband is ok with losing his green card in the US if you guys move to Japan?
First time I moved to Japan my Japanese spouse had been unemployed after our kid’s birth in Japan for about a year. I left a job in a 3rd country. So both unemployed, but then she started online translation earning very little.
With money in her Japanese accounts, free housing from her mom, and a legit marriage with theoretical work opportunities we were able to get me the spouse of a Japanese residence status.
I assume the cash in bank and in laws make up deciding factors, but I don’t know that.
I doubt you will have a problem getting the spouse visa, but I hope you (and your mother as she’s your employer) are aware how Japanese taxes work with this?
Also you will both (you and your husband) need to enroll in national pension and national health insurance.
My wife and I applied for my spouse visa while we were both in the U.S. We provided bank statements and mentioned what we planned to do for work in Japan.
Are you already in your husband’s koseki? If not you’ll need to start the process of adding you.