Japan Spouse Visa: Why They Get Denied

A spouse visa allows foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens to live in Japan. Because it has no restrictions on employment or activities, many people aim to obtain it. However, to get a spouse visa, you must pass a strict screening process.

Here are the key points of this article:

By understanding the main reasons for denial and the key screening factors before you apply, you can significantly lower the chances of your application being rejected. If you are planning to get a Japan spouse visa, we hope you find this guide helpful!

1. High Risk of Denial? Cases Where Japan Spouse Visas Are Hard to Get

Although the official denial rate for Japan spouse visas is not publicly disclosed, applications in the following scenarios tend to face a higher difficulty of approval:

• Unstable Household Income / Financial Status
• A History of Multiple Divorces
• A Significant Age Gap Between the Couple
• A Short Dating Period Before Marriage
• Frequent Job Changes and Short Employment Duration

Let’s take a closer look at each of these cases.

1-1. Unstable Household Income / Financial Status

Without a sufficient income to maintain a stable household livelihood, it will be difficult to get approval for a spouse visa. There is no legally specified minimum income amount required; rather, the decision is made comprehensively based on factors such as the number of dependents, living conditions, and the employment type of the primary earner.

As a specific guideline, the benchmark is calculated by multiplying 780,000 yen by the number of family members. For example, the estimated requirement is 1.56 million yen for a two-person household and 2.34 million yen for a three-person household.

If the Japanese spouse is not employed as a regular full-time employee (Seishain), or if they have overdue or unpaid taxes, the application may be judged as lacking a stable financial base.

As long as the household is capable of supporting family life together, the foreign national applying for the visa does not necessarily need to have an income of their own to cover living expenses. The evaluation is based on the finances of the entire household.

The Immigration Bureau conducts its screening based on certificates related to the occupation and income of both the applicant and the Japanese spouse (such as tax payment certificates).

1-2. A History of Multiple Divorces

If either the foreign national applying for the visa or their Japanese spouse has a history of divorce, it can be a disadvantage when trying to obtain a spouse visa. This is especially true if a person has been divorced two or more times, or if they remarried shortly after a divorce.

If the foreign national previously obtained a spouse visa through a past marriage and is now applying for a new visa after remarrying, immigration authorities may suspect that their primary purpose is simply to remain in Japan. On the other hand, if the Japanese spouse has a history of divorcing foreign nationals, they might be suspected of assisting in the fraudulent acquisition of spouse visas. Cases where the couple started dating before the previous divorce was officially finalized also tend to result in denial.

1-3. Couples with a Large Age Gap

f there is a large age gap between the couple, immigration authorities are more likely to suspect a sham marriage, and the screening becomes even stricter when the age difference is 20 years or more. Even if the marriage is completely genuine, you must objectively prove the authenticity of the relationship to the Immigration Bureau.

It is necessary to describe the background of your relationship in detail in the Statement of Reasons (Riyusho), and clearly explain your current situation as well as your future family plans.

1-4. A Short Dating Period Before Marriage

A short dating period is another factor that tends to make immigration authorities suspect a sham marriage. The same applies to cases where the couple communicates through apps using translation tools, or when they met online or through a marriage agency.

Since a lack of communication often leads to trouble in international marriages, communication skills are highly emphasized during the spouse visa screening process. You will need to provide detailed and clear evidence showing the background of your relationship leading up to the marriage.

1-5. Frequent Job Changes and Short Employment Duration

Repeatedly changing jobs and having a short employment duration will increase the likelihood of a spouse visa being denied. This is because immigration authorities are aware of past cases where applicants temporarily secured a job just to apply for the visa, only to quit immediately after receiving approval. Consequently, this scenario raises suspicions of a sham marriage, causing the screening process to become much stricter.

Even if you can prove that your marriage is genuine, a history of frequent job changes and short periods of employment may lead authorities to believe that you cannot maintain a stable married life, increasing the chances of denial.

Therefore, for those who have changed jobs frequently or have a short employment duration, clearly explaining the reasons for your job changes and the specific circumstances behind leaving those positions is absolutely crucial for obtaining the visa.

Contact

2. Key Screening Factors for Japan Spouse Visa Applications

To successfully obtain a spouse visa, the following points are highly emphasized:

• The marriage procedures must be completed in both countries.
• The marriage must be genuine and authentic.
• There must be sufficient income to maintain a stable life together.
• The foreign spouse must have a guarantor (身元保証人).
• There must be no issues regarding the visa applicant’s past or present residency status in Japan.

Whether you have completed all the necessary procedures and can prove that there are no issues with the authenticity of your marriage or your financial stability is the ultimate key to a successful spouse visa application.

2-1. Marriage Procedures Completed in Both Countries

To obtain a spouse visa, you must complete the international marriage procedures and prove that you are legally married. Even if you are in a common-law relationship (de facto marriage), you must complete the official procedures and register as a married couple.

The international marriage process must be carried out in both Japan and the spouse’s home country. Since the requirements for marriage vary from country to country, it is important to research them in advance and complete the necessary procedures for each nation.

2-2. The Authenticity of the Marriage

Whether or not the marriage is genuine is particularly emphasized during the spouse visa screening process. Because the Immigration Bureau conducts strict screenings to weed out sham marriages, you must prove that your marriage is authentic and that your acquisition of a spouse visa is entirely legitimate. In addition to providing a detailed written explanation of how you met and the events leading up to your marriage, it is highly recommended to prepare voluntary supporting evidence, such as photographs and call logs, depending on your situation.

2-3. Sufficient Income to Maintain a Stable Life Together

Whether or not the household has a stable income sufficient to make a living is also a critical factor emphasized during the screening process. If the employment type is not full-time (regular employee) or if there are any delinquent tax payments, the application is highly likely to be denied.

Although the exact required income amount is not publicly disclosed, you are highly likely to face a denial if the Japanese spouse’s annual income is 2 million yen or less. Even if the Japanese partner is a homemaker, you can still aim to obtain the spouse visa as long as you can prove that the foreign applicant has the ability to work continuously and maintain a stable income.

2-4. Having a Guarantor for the Foreign Spouse

To obtain a spouse visa, a guarantor (身元保証人) for the applicant is required. A guarantor is someone who guarantees to the Minister of Justice that the foreign national will be able to make a stable living in Japan and live in compliance with Japanese laws and regulations. Basically, the Japanese spouse of the applicant takes on this role. If the Japanese spouse’s income is low, it is also possible to add their relatives as additional guarantors.

2-5. No Issues Regarding the Applicant’s Residency Status

If the foreign applicant is already residing in Japan under a status of residence other than a spouse visa, their day-to-day conduct and living situation will also be subject to screening. The immigration authorities will examine whether the applicant has engaged in any activities or employment outside the scope of their current visa, and whether they have a criminal record. Note that minor traffic violations, such as speeding or parking tickets, are generally considered to have little to no impact on the screening.

Related articles

Spouse Visa in Japan: Process, Requirements, and Documents Read more

3. What to Do If Your Japan Spouse Visa Is Denied

Even if your spouse visa application is denied, you can apply again. First, you must understand the reason for the denial. By visiting the Immigration Bureau with your denial notice and identification, you can find out the reason for the refusal—though they will only explain it to you once. Once you know the reason, prepare the necessary documents to address and cover that specific issue, and then proceed with your reapplication.

Since spouse visa applications undergo strict screening, it is essential to apply while ensuring all key requirements are met. If you find it difficult to prepare the documents or handle the process on your own, you should also consider seeking professional assistance.

4. Summary

This article introduced the potential reasons for a spouse visa denial, the key points evaluated during the screening process, and the steps to take if your application is refused. In summary, the key takeaways are as follows:

To successfully obtain a spouse visa, the requirements you must meet include having a stable financial outlook for your life in Japan and proving that your marriage is genuine rather than a sham. By objectively demonstrating these points through your application forms and voluntary supporting documents, you can significantly lower the chances of a denial.

Contact