How You May Be Able to Stay in Japan Even After Divorce
If you are a foreign national who is:
- Married to a Japanese citizen and currently holding a “Spouse of Japanese National” visa, or
- Married to a foreign national with Permanent Resident status and holding a “Spouse of Permanent Resident” visa,
You may be worried that getting divorced would mean you can no longer stay in Japan.
This column is for those of you who have such concerns.
Under certain conditions, you may be able to change your visa to a “Long-Term Resident” (Teijūsha) status even after divorce.
For example, if:
- You have been married for a certain period of time,
- The reason for the divorce lies primarily with your spouse,
Then you may be eligible for a Long-Term Resident visa.
The Long-Term Resident visa allows you to work freely, just like the Spouse of Japanese National or Spouse of Permanent Resident visa. This means you can continue to build a stable life in Japan, with more freedom in choosing your job and where you live—without the emotional and legal constraints of an unhappy marriage.
We are not encouraging divorce, but if you are in an unhappy or unhealthy marriage, it may be a chance to start fresh and move forward with your life.
As you may already know, Japan is currently facing labor shortages across many industries. In this environment, there is a good chance you’ll be able to find work that matches your goals and income expectations.
Our office has handled many such cases over the past few years. We have a strong track record of helping clients successfully switch to a Long-Term Resident visa.
If you are a foreign national considering divorce but still wish to continue living in Japan stably and long-term, please feel free to contact to us. We also provide support in English.
An experienced administrative scrivener (Gyosei Shoshi) will provide you with personalized advice and help you find the best path forward.