How can I get a 3-year period of stay when I renew my spouse visa?
Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
Answer
Being granted only 1 year may mean that your married life is not yet seen as settled. There are 3 keys to a longer period of stay: a stable income, paying taxes and social insurance premiums on time, and being able to show with everyday records that you really live together.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from someone who is granted only 1 year each time they renew, asking how to get 3 years.
Type of enquiry: 日本人の配偶者等 (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) (在留期間更新許可申請 / Application for Extension of Period of Stay)
A common situation: only 1 year is granted each time the person renews. They would like to aim for 3 years at the next renewal
Question: What decides the length of the period of stay? Is there anything to be careful about in daily life?
Why am I sometimes given only 1 year?
It may be that your married life is judged not yet to be settled.
If you are again granted only 1 year at renewal, it is likely that your married life is judged not yet to be settled. In concrete terms, the following points are sometimes seen as signs of instability.
An unstable income: Where the couple's income is low, or not stable. If you have dependants, this is looked at more strictly
Taxes and social insurance premiums not paid: Where payment of taxes, pension or health insurance premiums is late, or unpaid. This is treated as very important, as a matter of meeting your public duties
Little substance to living together: Where you live apart, or where you live together but are judged to have little substance as a married couple
Too little communication between the couple: Where, in the answers to the 質問書 (questionnaire) or at an interview, it seems that the couple do not share information with each other
Problems with the past record of stay: Where there have been traffic offences, or where renewal applications have been made at the very last minute
How is financial stability looked at?
As well as the household income, whether taxes and social insurance premiums are paid on time is treated as important.
A stable household income: That the couple together have enough income to live a stable life in Japan, including any dependants. In practice, a rough guide is said to be a household income of around 3.8 million to 4 million yen a year (世帯年収380万〜400万円程度). This is not a standard set by law, so the view taken also changes with the number of dependants and the area where you live
Meeting your tax duties: That income tax, resident tax and the like are paid without fail by the due date. This is checked through tax payment certificates and tax assessment certificates
Being enrolled in social insurance and paying the premiums: That both of you are enrolled in social insurance and pay the premiums without falling behind. Payments for the National Pension and National Health Insurance in particular tend to fall behind, so please take care
For taxes and social insurance premiums, please find a way to avoid forgetting to pay, such as setting up a direct debit. It is also important to check the state of your payments from time to time.
How do I show the substance of the marriage?
Not only the address on your residence record, but that you really live together and support each other, shown through everyday records.
The substance of living together: As a rule, a couple needs to be living in the same home. What matters is not only the address on the residence record, but that you really do live together
A sound relationship as a couple: That it can be confirmed that you share information and support each other. Consistency in the answers to the 質問書 is looked at, and in some cases you may be asked about your relationship at an interview
What you can do in daily life
Keep photographs: Take snapshots of the two of you together from time to time - everyday life, trips, time with friends and family - and record the dates as well
Keep a record of your exchanges: As well as everyday conversation, exchanges on messaging apps and social media can also serve as material showing your relationship
Share the household finances: Sharing your income and spending, and managing the household budget together, is also material that shows a settled life
How is settling into Japanese society assessed?
Following the law is the starting point; taking part in local activities and improving your Japanese may count in your favour.
Following traffic rules and the like: Even minor traffic offences carry a risk of being judged not to show good conduct if they are repeated
Taking part in local activities: Joining in local clean-up activities, festivals or volunteer work is not required, but it may sometimes count in your favour
Improving your Japanese: Using Japanese actively in daily life and at work, and keeping up your study, is also an element that shows how well you have settled in
What should I start building up from today?
Making 5 things part of your daily habits: household finances, public duties, your address, records, and following the law.
Manage the household budget carefully Make your income and spending clear, and plan a way of living that is not a strain.
Meet your public duties without fail Always pay taxes and social insurance premiums by the due date. Keep the receipts, and check the state of your payments from time to time.
Keep the address on your residence record the same as where you actually live If you move, complete the procedure at the city office promptly, and file the notification as well.
Keep records as part of daily life Keep snapshots of the two of you together, tickets from trips, and records of time spent with family and friends.
Follow the law Take care not to commit offences, starting with traffic rules.
Renewing a period of stay is joint work: the couple build a settled life together and then show the record of it. If you are worried, please get in touch early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I granted only 1 year each time I renew?
If your income is low or not stable, if there are unpaid taxes or social insurance premiums, if there is little substance to living together, or if there are problems with your past record of stay, your married life may be judged not yet to be settled. On income, a rough guide in practice is said to be a household income of around 3.8 million to 4 million yen a year (世帯年収380万〜400万円程度), but this is not a standard set by law.
How closely are taxes and social insurance premiums looked at?
Payment of income tax, resident tax and the like, together with enrolment of both of you in social insurance and payment of the premiums, is checked through tax payment certificates and tax assessment certificates. The National Pension and National Health Insurance tend to fall behind, so steps such as setting up a direct debit are useful.
How do I show that we live together?
What matters is not only the address on the residence record, but that you really do live together. Keep photographs of everyday life, trips and time with family, along with the dates, and be ready to show that you manage the household budget together as well.
Do traffic offences have an effect?
Even minor traffic offences carry a risk of being judged not to show good conduct if they are repeated. Please follow the traffic rules as a matter of course.
This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
