My wife is a Japanese national and I am a U.S. citizen. We're in our 50s. We both currently reside in the U.S. We want to move to Japan permanently at some point in the next six months or so, and I plan to apply for a spousal visa with the goal of becoming a permanent resident.
Wife has lived in the U.S. for 20+ years and has a green card. We've been married for one year, together for four years. We married in the U.S., and she added me to her koseki. No issues with proving the legitimacy of the marriage, and we have plenty of income/savings in the U.S., but neither of us has a bank account in Japan. Spouse has family members there (mother, sibling, and others). We may retire early, or she may get a job in Japan, or I may work remotely for a U.S. entity.
It looks like I should apply for the spousal visa through the Japanese consulate in my area (correct me if I'm wrong). Some questions about the visa application process:
- Do I need a Certificate of Entry? From looking at the application process as set forth on the Japanese consulate's website, it appears they expect me to get a CoE before applying for a spousal visa. But I've seen claims in this subreddit that no CoE is required for a spousal visa. I won't have a Japanese employer, and she won't have one lined up, but she might have one eventually. As mentioned, we may either retire, or I may work remotely.
- Do we need a guarantor in Japan since neither of us has a bank account there? Can this be her mother or a sibling? Would they have to provide proof of income/savings/bank accounts?
- What's the timing of the application process? How long does it typically take, assuming we've got the paperwork all lined up (except for a CoE anyway)? We're not sure exactly when we'll be relocating, but it will be some time in the next year (much sooner preferably). If I get the spousal visa, do I have to move to Japan and begin residing there soon, or can I basically sit on it until we move (or travel to Japan for short periods in the interim)? I'll want to renew it when it expires of course, and I want to get permanent residency eventually.
- If anyone can refer us to a lawyer who has some expertise in these areas, that'd be great too!
Adding: I did some research, but haven't found clear answers to all of my questions. The wiki page doesn't have much info on spousal visas, and the consulate's website page is confusing/unclear/vague.
This thread is a similar question, but I'm confused about whether we need a CoE and/or guarantor (or one or the other, or if they are basically the same thing or what):
https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/1b9dq9o/getting_a_spouse_visa_without_a_coe_we_both/
Another somewhat similar question that doesn't really give a clear answer:
https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/ue857d/comment/iq7l5uf/
I checked the consulate's website, and they basically say, if you don't have a CoE yet, you have to call and talk to us. Which we will do, but I wanted to get the lay of the land first, so we know how to engage with them intelligently.
I note that the consulate's website says you have to use a "single-entry" visa within three months of issuance, but is a spousal visa (e.g., a one-year visa) a "single-entry" visa? Does that mean I have to enter Japan within three months and stay there? What if I want to go back and forth between the U.S. and Japan after entering?
by thr0waway5343