Switching from tourist visa to spouse visa?

It is not impossible.

As a rule, a person residing in Japan on a temporary visitor visa (tourist visa) is NOT permitted to change their residence status. This is because the assumption of a tourist visa is that the visitor will leave Japan within certain period of time. However, “under special unavoidable circumstances”, a change of status of residence from a tourist to a spouse visa can be possible.

What is special unavoidable circumstances?

For ‘special unavoidable circumstances’ to be recognized, there must be reasonable grounds to believe that the original purpose of residence may have changed due to a change in circumstances after entry, making it unreasonable to require the applicant to leave Japan and undergo new entry procedures.

For example;

• “If a marriage registration is submitted in Japan during a short-term stay”

• “If a foreign spouse, who is already married, happens to be in Japan on a short-term stay”

• “If there is a young child between the couple”

And of course, it is important that the relationship is true, and the truthfulness of the marriage must be confirmed.

In the cases mentioned above, there may be a possibility of obtaining the relevant status, so it would be advisable to consult with a specialist such and consider applying.