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Conditions for Naturalization (For Those with a Japanese Spouse)
I have a Japanese Spouse visa and have been married for three years. I want to be naturalized as a Japanese and hope to begin procedures for this as soon as possible. Please advise me about the conditions for naturalization, especially whether it’s possible for me to apply for it at this moment.
In the October 2008 issue of Hiragana Times we gave advice regarding the naturalization of a foreign family. Here is that information again in brief. The conditions are related to l) residence 2) age and capacity 3) behavior 4) means of livelihood 5) prevention of nationality duplication 6) illegal organizations. Furthermore, Japanese proficiency will be required, although it is not regulated by law.
Among the above-mentioned conditions, for a spouse of a Japanese national, condition 1) is moderated from “more than five years” to “more than three years” and condition 2) will be exempted.
As for the condition of “more than three years,” it is regulated that one should have continuously lived in Japan or had a place to live in Japan for more than three years, and at the time of application be living in Japan, or that three years has passed since one’s marriage and the applicant should have continuously lived in Japan for more than one year. Please check whether you meet either of the above conditions.
Furthermore, there is the possibility for those who are exceptionally permitted to stay in Japan with a Japanese Spouse visa after undergoing procedures for compulsory deportation due to over-staying, to be permitted to be naturalized. However, a great amount of time is required after the granting of special permission to stay in Japan.
Advisor: KUROKAWA Koji (Immigration Lawyer)
