Its almost time to renew.
I got an initial spousal residence one year after we got married, after applying a month after getting married. There was a small issue with our application (to do with me being at a language school at time and the record keeping), but once provided got accepted in 2 days.
fortunately my wife received quite a bump in salary this year. Meanwhile i am freelancing and not doing too well right now but hopefully next year can get off the ground. Part of adjusting to new country where my prior experience sadly doesn’t mean much.
I was wondering if we should wait till tue marriage is officially 1 year old to apply for renewal? I know you can do three months early, so if i did immediately the marriage would be officially 11 months 5 days. Would it make a difference on receiving 3-5 instead? Should i ask for 5? Does my wife’s salary help? Does my prior “issue” with the initial application matter? I have also heard if you dont have children it is very unlikely to get more than a 1 year even after multiple renewals.
Obviously it would be a thrill to get 3-5 because renewals so often are a headache, and PR becomes possible.
20 comments
Based on my own experience, and what I have heard from others, it is most common to get 1 year, 1 year, and then 3 years for spouse visas.
For my own case, they aligned my visa to my husband’s
It may help if you provided your wife’s tax documents, social insurance payments and other things normally required for work visas.
I think the most important thing is to ask for it.
On the form there is a place where you have to write if you want a one, three or five year visa and you should say you want a five year visa.
I got a one year visa then a three (I didn’t say I wanted a five year that time though) then five and five.
There isn’t. Immigration needs that 4,000yen stamp.
I got three years my first time. But I had already been married 4 years and had a child.
There is no for-sure way to get a longer term.
You can try asking for it.
You can try using a lawyer for the application.
You can make more money, and/or work for a big-name corporation.
Pop out a couple of kids.
Any of the above might help, or it might not make any difference at all.
I requested 3-5 years after getting married. First two renewals they only gave 1 year, third renewal gave 3 year visa. Prior to changing to a spousal visa I had been living and supporting myself on a work visa for 3 years. The prior track record (though 3 years is pretty short) didnt help to expidite the longer spouse visa at all.
I was initially given a one year visa and at renewal I asked for 5 years and got 3. Ever since I have asked for and received 5 year visas. Most people get 1 – 3 – 5 etc.
Get at least JLPT N2 it will give you some points
As a few others have shared, it seems like 1-1-3 is the most common track. That’s what my experience was and I’ve seen it with others I know, on top of it being mentioned online more frequently than the exceptions.
My wife and I got married about 6 months before moving to Japan. I got 3 years before arriving. When I applied for renewal, I asked for 3 and got 5. Then I got my PR before the 5 expired. It really feels like the length of visas is randomly decided
I got 1 year for the first two times and 3 years the third time, we specifically asked for 3 years due to some planned time abroad so my visa wouldn’t expire while I am out of the country. They asked for the tax info of my husband at that time.
Additional info: we had one child with the first 2 applications and I was pregnant with the 2nd child at the third time. So not sure how this might have played a role.
Generally these things boil down to the officer who’s processing the application and unfortunately some have bias depend on your home country. I think best to apply and ask for the 5, worst case you end up with a shorter one. I hate the visa shuffle as much as the next guy but a lot of the process is really out of your hands.
Got 1 year applying from overseas during covid and was explicitly told that would be the case. first renewal i asked for 5 and got it.
Parroting what others say, I initially got a year, then 3, and just renewed and got five. I would renew once you’re eligible. They’re a little backed up and the extra couple of months won’t change anything.
The initial visa and subsequent renewals depend on several factors.
I know people who have gotten 3 or 5 years on their first application and those stuck on one year visas.
Immigration likes to give one year visas to people who it suspects might have just gotten married for a visa (so people with low income and no kids who got married and then rather quickly applied for the visa).
The obvious ways around this are to have a strong marriage that stands the test of time, having kids with your spouse, and having a stable, high paying job (these also explain why people get different lengths, even for their first visa).
No idea. I’m on my third 1-year visa in a row. Seishain at a Japanese company, pretty decent wage (has doubled since I entered the company), married for 3 years with a kid. Requested a 5 year visa the last two times. Maybe they want me out.
1 1 3 for me as well. Applied for PR nearing 3 year visa’s expiry and got PR.
Went the 1-3-5 route. Two years into the 5, I applied and got PR. Having the 5 before applying for PR is beneficial from what I heard, even though getting it is usually out of your hands. Good luck.