Hi,
I am writing this message because I am a bit confused about my next steps, and wondering if I should hire professionals. But I don’t want to waste money so I was wondering if reddit had any experience in that area. 🙂
Here is my situation: although I was born and raised in France, married to a French wife, I have Japanese nationality, with a valid passport, and we have had our marriage registered on my koseki tohon.
I have been wanting to reconnect with my Japanese family for a while and we want to spend a year in Japan. The easiest way to do that should be through a spouse visa for my wife. However, it’s difficult to understand how to get her the Certificate of Eligibility. My family in Japan should be ready to help but I can’t ask too much of them (mainly an old aunt, with younger cousins who I hope can help as well). From what I understand, this aunt can probably act as “guarantor” but I’m not sure what exactly I need to ask for. Since she’s old, I would really need her to just “sign X paper” and “get X document”. She lives in Kanagawa, really close to where my mother was born, and to where my “official address” is (in my koseki tohon as well as my passport).
So if google/reddit help isn’t enough, I’m willing to hire a professional but I’m not sure which way to go. Google offers a range of answers, but how can I pick competent ones, and not waste my money?
For instance: https://english.visajapan.jp/
Does anyone have helpful tips and recommendation?
Thanks a lot!
3 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**CoE help / using immigration lawyers?**
Hi,
I am writing this message because I am a bit confused about my next steps, and wondering if I should hire professionals. But I don’t want to waste money so I was wondering if reddit had any experience in that area. 🙂
Here is my situation: although I was born and raised in France, married to a French wife, I have Japanese nationality, with a valid passport, and we have had our marriage registered on my koseki tohon.
I have been wanting to reconnect with my Japanese family for a while and we want to spend a year in Japan. The easiest way to do that should be through a spouse visa for my wife. However, it’s difficult to understand how to get her the Certificate of Eligibility. My family in Japan should be ready to help but I can’t ask too much of them (mainly an old aunt, with younger cousins who I hope can help as well). From what I understand, this aunt can probably act as “guarantor” but I’m not sure what exactly I need to ask for. Since she’s old, I would really need her to just “sign X paper” and “get X document”. She lives in Kanagawa, really close to where my mother was born, and to where my “official address” is (in my koseki tohon as well as my passport).
So if google/reddit help isn’t enough, I’m willing to hire a professional but I’m not sure which way to go. Google offers a range of answers, but how can I pick competent ones, and not waste my money?
For instance: https://english.visajapan.jp/
https://amie-visa-chiba.com/
Does anyone have helpful tips and recommendation?
Thanks a lot!
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The list of documents you would need can be found here:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/spouseorchildofjapanese01.html?hl=en
It’s not a hugely complicated process. Your local Japanese embassy/consulate should be able to help clarify any questions you may have.
Ca you read Japanese?
I just filed for my husband’s COE. Used this website https://spouse-visa.jp/application-for-certificate-of-eligibility/
There are several of these that explain how to/what to fill.
If you do not have a job lined up, you will need your family in Japan to be a guranteer. Which then you will need something to show their income. So, probably tax statement from last few years.
You can also email or call the COE process office. info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp it took them 1 week to respond to an email and like 20 phone calls to get connected. But they are there.
Fyi. I am a Japanese national, and my husband is an American. Plan on moving to Japan in December.