Relocating back to Japan (as Spouse)

2 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Relocating back to Japan (as Spouse)**

   Hi,

   I am married to a Japanese national (married in Japan), and we have a son together (born in Japan).

   I previously lived in Japan, but we moved abroad about 5 years ago as I took an internal promotion to a different country, but we have now decided that prior to our son starting school we would like to relocate back to Japan (in about 6 months).

   My employer (large global company) has agreed to the move and started the discussions with Japan HR, but I don’t know the next steps.

   Last time the working visa process was handled by the Japan HR team, based on the fact that they wanted me in Japan, whereas this time it is my request to move so they are hoping I will sort out my own visa. I also believe this time, as I would also be relocating on a spouse visa the process may be slightly different?

   The process I understand is:

   * Apply for CoE, which needs to be done in Japan.
   * ​

   Go to the local Japanese embassy and have them issue the spouse visa.

   * Enter Japan (within 3 months) and pick up residence card.

   For the CoE, we have family in Japan but I would rather not inconvenience them to apply on my behalf. Is it recommended to get a visa company to do this for me, or should I be trying to get my company or family to do this on my behalf?

   Part of the CoE mentions a sponsor, do we need to go through this (as we live outside of Japan and I am the sole income)?

   Once I have the CoE, and then the spouse visa, is this enough to provide to my company for their legal requirements?

   Thanks in advance for any assistance / advice.

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2. >For the CoE, we have family in Japan but I would rather not inconvenience them to apply on my behalf.

   You certainly *can* hire an immigration attorney to handle the process for you, but actually submitting it isn’t particularly difficult or burdensome. Many people have had family members handle the submission with no issues.

   >Part of the CoE mentions a sponsor, do we need to go through this

   Yes. *Someone* in Japan needs to vouch for you. Again, this isn’t a particularly burdensome process. It’s not like the US where you have to vow to be financially responsible for them for the next decade, and they’ll come looking for you if anything happens. It’s basically just “Yes, this person is my son/daughter-in-law, and they’re a decent person”.

   Most folks in your situation use their in-laws as their sponsor.

   >Once I have the CoE, and then the spouse visa, is this enough to provide to my company for their legal requirements?

   That’s a question for your company. It *should* be enough, but only they can answer that definitively.