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)
Applying for a 「家族滞在」 visa supported by your spouse after completing 技能実習2号 is not, in itself, prohibited by law. However, the purpose of 技能実習 is the transfer of skills (技能移転) to the home country, so going straight from completion into being supported instead of working may raise questions about how this fits the purpose of the system. It is important to be ready to explain your reasons sensibly in a 理由書 (written explanation).
A husband who has finished his technical intern training asks whether he can come back to Japan supported by his wife, who works on a highly skilled professional status.
The application itself is not prohibited by law, but you may be asked how it fits the purpose of the system.
Applying for a 「家族滞在」 visa as the spouse of a 「高度専門職」 holder immediately after completing 技能実習2号 is not prohibited by law.
However, the 技能実習 system exists to transfer Japanese technology, skills and knowledge to developing countries and similar regions. So applying for a 「家族滞在」 visa right after completion, and being supported by your spouse instead of working, may raise questions about how it fits the original purpose of 技能実習.
The 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) examines each application as a whole: the purpose of the stay, whether it is necessary, and whether it is genuine. You may be asked to give a reasonable explanation of the purpose of the training, and of why you are applying for a 「家族滞在」 visa right after it ends.
If the spouse will be the main earner at the time of the application, the support requirement is considered to be met.
「家族滞在」 is, as a rule, for a spouse or child who is supported by a foreign national living in Japan. "Supported by" here means depending on that person for most of your living costs.
Even though the husband was working as a technical intern until just before, if the wife will be the main earner at the time the 「家族滞在」 visa is applied for, the support requirement is considered to be met.
Whether the marriage is genuine, the ability to support, what is planned after arrival in Japan, and the reason for living apart.
The couple married in 2019 and have a child, so the credibility of the marriage is not likely to be a problem.
The wife's income must be recognised as enough to support the couple and their child stably in Japan. Please prepare enough documents showing the amount and the stability of her income (withholding tax slip, tax payment certificate, employment contract and so on).
「家族滞在」 does not, as a rule, allow work. You need to explain clearly how the husband plans to live in Japan (housework, childcare and so on). If he wants to work, he needs to obtain a status of residence that allows work. Alternatively, with 資格外活動許可 (Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted), he can work part-time within limits such as up to 28 hours per week.
You may be asked to give a reasonable explanation of why the couple currently live in separate dormitories.
Gather every document, and write a 理由書 that explains the reasons for the application concretely.
It is not prohibited. However, 技能実習 is a system aimed at transferring skills to the home country, so going straight from completion into being supported instead of working may raise questions about how it fits that purpose.
It is considered possible. If the spouse will be the main earner at the time of the application, the support requirement for 「家族滞在」 is considered to be met.
With 資格外活動許可 you can work part-time within limits such as up to 28 hours per week. You cannot work without that permission.
You may be asked to give a reasonable explanation of why you live apart. Please be ready to explain your circumstances concretely.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.