Hi everyone,
Did anyone manage to switch from a tourist visa / waiver to a spouse visa while already being in Japan in the past few months with no COE?
I have read the previous posts on this topic, yet the situation as for the second half of 2023 seems unsure. I also have heard and read that it mainly depends on the person at the immigration office.
Note: I just got married to a Japanese national in Japan, we have been together for quite some time, I was previously on another visa but out of circumstances we couldn’t get married before. I can update with more details if necessary.
Thank you 🙇♀️
2 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
—
**Did anyone manage to switch from tourist to a spouse visa recently? (2023)**
Hi everyone,
Did anyone manage to switch from a tourist visa / waiver to a spouse visa while already being in Japan in the past few months with no COE?
I have read the previous posts on this topic, yet the situation as for the second half of 2023 seems unsure. I also have heard and read that it mainly depends on the person at the immigration office.
Note: I just got married to a Japanese national in Japan, we have been together for quite some time, I was previously on another visa but out of circumstances we couldn’t get married before. I can update with more details if necessary.
Thank you 🙇♀️
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Just present the best case with all your historical evidence in the application that your marriage is legitimate and you’ll be fine. The essay/letter your wife writes can describe in detail why you didn’t get married before but made the commitment today and you can include plans for future etc. Plus everything else that should go along with your relationship history.
You’re going to have to go through the process regardless so go to immigration once you have all your marriage documents ready and the application all completed and find out what the process is since you’ll be changing from Temp Visitor to Spouse, it takes 4-8 weeks. More likely 6-8.
It’s entirely possible they ask you to go out and get a COE but i doubt that. They’ll probably just stamp your passport that with a change visa status, and even if the tourist visa expire you should have 2 months after with the new docs/application pending. I’d just have your wife ask these questions and to go with you to do everything.