I want to invite a foreigner as my spouse from overseas.

The purpose of inviting a marriage partner from overseas has the following patterns.

① If you live together overseas and move to Japan.

② If you live separately in Japan and overseas and move to Japan.

If you want to invite your foreign spouse from abroad, you need to obtain a “Spouse Visa”.

For short stays of 90 days or less, some countries do not require a visa, but if you stay 90 days or less (If you are not eligible for a “Spouse Visa”), you cannot work. In any case, if you want to live a long marriage in Japan, you will need a status of residence (“Spouse Visa”).

Let’s check what kind of procedures are necessary for each pattern.

If you live together overseas and move to Japan

If both of you live overseas and do not have a certificate of resident in Japan, you will need a Japanese guarantor. Many people ask their siblings or parents to gather the necessary documents.

① Overseas, prepare the necessary documents such as the “Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Eligibility” and mail them to your guarantor in Japan.

② The guarantor receives and signs the documents, and obtains a certificate of resident and a taxation certificate at a Japanese government office.

③ The guarantor will submit the documents to the Immigration Bureau of Japan.

If it is difficult to find a guarantor, there is a method of applying after a Japanese person enters Japan first and obtains a certificate of resident. Here’s how:

If you live separately in Japan and overseas and move to Japan（If Japanese nationals enter the country first）

① Japanese nationals apply for issuance of a “Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status” at the Immigration Bureau of Japan.

② Mail the certified certificate you have obtained to your overseas spouse.

③ Apply for a Visa at a Japanese embassy abroad.

④ After obtaining a Visa, enter Japan with the original “Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status” and a passport with the visa affixed, and receive a residence card.

The “Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status” is valid for 3 months, so you must enter Japan within 3 months after obtaining it.

Examination points when obtaining a status of residence

① Is your income stable?

② Do you have enough savings?

③ Do you have a place of employment in Japan?

The guideline for income is about 3 million yen per year. The standard amount of savings is enough for the whole family to live in Japan for one year. Also, rather than signing a new rental housing contract, it tends to be easier to obtain a status of residence if you first live in your parents’ house in Japan and move out once your life becomes stable.

This time, we introduced two patterns: ” If you live together overseas and move to Japan” and “If you live separately in Japan and overseas and move to Japan”. Check the application period and conditions as well, discuss with your spouse in advance, and make plan.