VISA Information
Visa Q&A List - VISA Information
When a Spouse is Not Permitted to Extend Their “Dependent’s Visa”
I have been living in Japan using an “engineer’s visa.” My wife has also been living in Japan using a “dependent’s visa,” however, the Immigration Bureau has found out that she’s been engaged in activities other than permitted by her status of residence and now she can’t get permission to extend her residency. Please let me know how my wife can continue to reside in Japan.
To be blunt, there’s no other choice than for your wife to immediately return to her native country. After a reasonable amount of time has passed, she will have to reapply for permission to reside in Japan, before she returns.
Motivated by love for their family and the desire to support them financially, a few foreigners actively pursue part time work. However, in order to do so they must obtain permission to pursue activities other than specified by the terms of their previously granted residency visa. Even if they are able to obtain permission, working hours are limited, which in turn limits their income.
In cases concerning working hours in excess of those granted, the possibility exists that parties will be strictly punished.
This might also affect the husband’s ability to renew his visa: even if he does manage to renew, rather than obtaining a three year visa, he might only obtain a one year visa.
(From September Issue 2011)
Advisor: TATEDA Jun (Immigration Lawyer)
