Important points to note when renewing a visa for "Spouse or Child of Japanese National

When renewing the status of "spouse or child of Japanese national" (spouse visa), the examination process tends to become more rigorous each year.

1. stability and continuity of marital life

• Continued cohabitation: As a general rule, a married coupleCohabitation and substantial marital lifeIt is of utmost importance that they are sending
  • If separated, indicate that the separation is not just a disagreement or a separation for divorce.Good Reason(single employment, caregiving, childbirth, etc.) and,intention to maintain the marriageand during the period of separation.Exchange and livelihoodDetailed evidence ofstatement of reasonsThis needs to be explained in the following section.
• Family photos and statements of living expensesDocumentation may be required to support the fact of cohabitation and a stable marriage (utility bill statements, family photos, etc.).

2. economic basis and fulfillment of public obligations

• Stable income: for marital life.economic basisThe applicant is required to have a MainlyHousehold income of Japanese spouse or couplewill be reviewed.
  • If there is a change in income situation due to a job change or leave of absence, it is important to explain in detail the outlook for future living and the measures to be taken.
• Fulfillment of official obligations:Tax and social insurance(National Pension, Health Insurance, etc.)Payment statuswill be strictly checked.
  • municipal taxand other taxes,Public pension and health insurance premiumsindicates such things as location of person or thing, location of short-term action, etc.Non-payment or delayed paymentwill be very detrimental to the screening process. If you have a history of past delinquency, you must prove that you have now paid in full.

✅ Measures to avoid disallowance
Thorough payment before application: Before applying, please check with the municipal office or pension office to see if there are any unpaid or delinquent resident taxes or national health insurance premiums, and if there are any unpaid amounts, please be sure to pay them in full.

Submission of the latest certificate: After payment is made and the amount owed is confirmed to be "0 yen," the latest tax payment certificate is obtained and submitted.
Use of a statement of reasons: In cases where payment is temporarily delayed or income is reduced due to unavoidable circumstances (illness, unemployment, etc.), it is important to explain in detail in the statement of reasons how this happened and that it has now improved, and to attach supporting documents (certificate of illness, certificate of retirement, etc.).

Fulfillment of official obligations is the basis for demonstrating "good conduct" and proof of willingness and ability to live stably in Japan.

3. accuracy and consistency of the application

• Avoiding False Declarations: The documents to be submitted and the application form.inconsistencyThere are someFalse declarationThis is a major cause for disapproval if it is deemed to be
• Compliance with notification obligationsChange of address, job change, etc., under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.Notification of various notifications (change of information on resident card, etc.) by the due dateThe screening process is also based on whether or not the applicant is going to

4. to take advantage of term renewal

• If you wish to stay for 3 or 5 years
  • If all of the above important points can be met, and in particular, "performance of official obligations," "stable married life," and "performance of notification under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" can be proven with consistent documentation, it will be easier to be granted a longer period of stay.
• Prepare your application early
  • Applications should be submitted to3 months before the expiration date of the period of stayThe process can be started from the following date. It is recommended to start the procedure as early as possible to allow enough time for document collection and preparation.
  • If there is a major change in circumstances (separation, job change, birth of a child, etc.), the screening process will be more stringent, especially if there is a major change in circumstances (separation, job change, birth of a child, etc.), unlike a normal simple renewal.statement of reasonsYou need to explain the situation politely, such as

It is important to carefully check the above points according to your situation and prepare the necessary documents without omissions or inconsistencies.

5. list of required documents for application for a permit for renewal of term

Documents to be prepared by the applicant (foreign national)

No.	Dossier Name	remarks
1	Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Download the form from the Immigration and Immigration Control Agency's website or obtain it at the counter. Fill out both for the applicant and spouse.
2	Photo(4 cm (length) X 3 cm (width))	1 leaf. Photographs taken within 3 months prior to application. Name must be written on the back and attached to the application form. (Not required for applicants under 16 years of age.)
3	passport	Present (prepared to present at the counter at the time of application)
4	resident card	Present (prepared to present at the counter at the time of application)
5	Certificate of taxation (or non-taxation) of residence tax	1 copy. A statement of gross income for the most recent year.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.
6	Resident tax payment certificate	1 copy. A statement of tax payments for the most recent year.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.
7	Certificate of employment of the applicant	1 copy. One with date of commencement of employment, type of employment, hours worked, and compensation.

Documents to be prepared by the Japanese spouse (guarantor)

No.	Dossier Name	remarks
5	Spouse's (Japanese) family register(Certificate of all matters)	1 copy. A statement of the fact of marriage with the applicant.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.
6	A copy of the residence certificates of all members of the spouse's (Japanese) household	1 letter.Personal number (My number) is omitted.(2) The name of the head of the household, the name of the family, and other items (name of the head of the household, relationship, etc.) should not be omitted.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.
7	Spouse's (Japanese) Reference Form	One copy. Signed by guarantor (Japanese spouse).
8	Certificate of taxation (or non-taxation) of residence tax	1 copy. A statement of gross income for the most recent year.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.
9	Resident tax payment certificate	1 copy. A statement of tax payments for the most recent year.Within 3 months from the date of issueof.

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Main documents that are recommended/required to be additionally submitted depending on the situation

situation	Additional materials recommended/required	Objective.
Proof of Continuity of Marital Life	Documents confirming marital interaction (snapshots, social networking/call records, utility bill statements, etc.)	Proof that the marriage is not a sham and that the marriage has been stable.
If you are living separately	A statement of reasons explaining the circumstances leading to the separation(e.g., contracts for single-person residence, documents showing parents' caregiving status, records of remittance of living expenses during separation, etc.)	An objective explanation of the intent to maintain the marital relationship and the justification and compelling reasons for separation.
Unstable income	Copy of savings book, certificate of expected employment, pay stubs, copy of tax return, etc.	Demonstrate financial stability to support the marriage.
If you wish to apply for a longer period of stay (3 or 5 years)	statement of reasons for renewal(e.g., documents proving payment status of national pension and national health insurance)	Appeal to the stability of the marriage and the fulfillment of official obligations, and assert the need for long-term residency.

In addition to the documents listed above, depending on your situation,Materials that can reinforce marital stability and economic foundationto facilitate the review process.

*Documents to be submitted for special consideration when there is a job change.
　・Certificate of Intended Employment or Letter of Offer of Employment
Issued by a new company after a job changeIs. Indicates that you are sure to start working at your new place of employment.
　・Most recent payroll
If you are paid at the new company, submit several months' worth of salary (e.g., about three months' worth) to provide specific details of your current income situation.
　　It can be shown that
　・Contract of employment or notice of working conditions
　　Documents confirming the terms and conditions of employment with the new company (job description, salary, working hours, etc.).
　・(Before changing jobs) release form or resignation certificate
　　This can be a supplemental document that clarifies the fact that you have changed jobs and that you have left your previous employer amicably.
　・statement of reasons
　　This document explains how and why you changed jobs. This is useful to make the examiner understand your situation.