So I’m currently in the Borderlink application process. If I am offered the ALT position I would like to go with my husband. However, he has an ecommerce business and would not be applying for an ALT position.
Is it possible for me to bring him to Japan with me on a spousal visa or something of the sort? If so, will the company assist me in obtaining this visa for him or will the onus be on me?
Also, as a side, in the rare possibility that he chooses to apply as well. Will we get the same housing and nearby school because we are married?
I appreciate responses from anyone who is knowledgeable on this subject or have their spouse with them in Japan.
9 comments
r/Japanlife would also be a good place to post this.
A lot of people on this subreddit kind of drift around, not the marriage type. Japanlife has more married people in Japan for the long haul.
ALTs don’t make enough money to sponsor spouses. The general rule is 4 million yen a year. The only exception is JET because it is a government program.
If you’re in the states this is a good question for the japanese consulate. I have a former classmate that’s been living here for close to a decade now, and he came over with his American wife and baby. It’s possible.
If you mention it during the interview, borderline is likely to move on to an easier to accommodate applicant. Of course they won’t tell you this and you’ll never know why it didn’t go the way you like.My advise is don’t mention you have a spouse until you sign a contract, though many companies will ask you during the interview if you have family.
I know an English dude who had a Chinese wife on a dependent spouse visa. Guessing it can be done but (like any visa process) probably requires work/waiting. I doubt your prospective employer would do this for you. Also I dunno how the self-employed working arrangement would work (it might be okay but I’d check that too). Probably best to talk to a migration agent…
Then there’s the caveat that all this probably depends on where you’re from too. I dare say it’s probably easier for some than it would be for others.
Hello, maybe I can help. I brought my husband over on a dependent visa (I believe a “spouse visa” is only for Japanese nationals bringing over foreign spouses). I was on Interac then. Its your work visa that’s eligible to invite a dependent, so the company doesn’t have to do anything with the process. I heard JET assists but dispatch companies generally don’t. It was fairly straightforward though:
I just filled out the Application form, got my tax certificate from the town hall, presented a copy of a translated marriage certificate (English to Japanese), and a Zaishoku Shomeisho from your employer. Approval of COE took about a month and a half.
I think the important points to remember are:
-You need to apply for your partners visa (the company has nothing to do with it but may need to provide you with documents)
-There will likely be a delay in your partner coming ~2 months
-Current boarder restrictions for non residents especially those who are not coming to work here
Your spouse would need what is called a dependent visa. I would definitely ask an immigration lawyer regarding how him working online for an overseas company would affect that, though.
I don’t know about Borderlink, but both JET and an international school applied for the dependent visa for my husband.
I also prepare all visa documents for my employees and provide necessary supporting documents and assistance for their dependents’ visa apps (very small company). It’s not really very difficult, so if they won’t do it, I would find it pretty questionable.
You’ll need a marriage certificate and a translation (the translation can be done by anyone), in addition to other documents like passport, etc.
My wife got a job through dispatch, I came over, and a year later I was hired directly by the board.
It’s totally possible to bring a spouse over here.