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When applying for a spouse visa when your spouse is younger, especially if there is a large age difference, the visa screening process can be strict. In this article, we will explain the important points to note when obtaining a spouse visa for couples with an age difference and the solutions provided by an administrative scrivener.
Consultation content: Spouse visa application for couples with an age difference (marriage visa)
K (60 years old), a Japanese man, and H (23 years old), a Filipino woman, have an age difference of 37 years. This is K’s second marriage and H’s first marriage. The two met through an acquaintance and got married after dating for about a year. Although they have not met each other’s parents yet, K has a stable income in Japan and works as a full-time employee. Therefore, they plan to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Residence Status and bring H from the Philippines to Japan.
Checkpoint: Points to note when applying for a spouse visa (marriage visa) for couples with an age difference
Let’s check the points to note when applying for a spouse visa for couples with an age difference.
☑ The marriage is legally established
☑ Prepare documents that show the authenticity of the marriage
☑ Have a solid economic foundation in Japan
☑ Have no problems with communication language
Solution from an administrative scrivener: Support for spouse visa (marriage visa) applications for couples with an age difference
1. Strictness of screening when there is an age difference
The screening for a spouse visa (resident status of “spouse of a Japanese national, etc.”) becomes stricter the greater the age difference between the couple. In particular, if there is an age difference of 15 years or more, additional documents and evidence are often required to prove the genuineness of the marriage. In addition, if the man is remarrying, especially if his previous spouse was a foreigner, the screening will be stricter to see if the remarriage is serious.
2. Prepare documents to prove the marriage relationship
For couples with an age difference, a detailed relationship history, photos of the two of them, message history, etc. are required to prove that the marriage is real and not fake. For example, by preparing documents that describe the specific episodes from when you first started dating to when you got married, you can convey the strong bond between you and the Immigration Bureau. It is also important to add the date of the photo and a brief comment to increase the credibility of the document.
3. Pay attention to the accuracy of the documents
If there is a large age difference, mistakes or typos on the documents can be fatal. It is necessary to prepare all documents carefully and submit them without mistakes, as the Immigration Bureau may not judge it to be a simple mistake but may consider it to be a deliberate concealment.
Applicable residence status: “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” residence status (commonly known as a spouse visa)
This residence status is obtained by foreigners who live in Japan as the spouse of a Japanese national. At the time of application, in addition to the fact that the marriage has been officially established, the couple will be examined to see if they are actually living as a married couple. If there is an age difference, it may be suspected of being a sham marriage, so documents that prove the authenticity of the marriage are especially important.
Summary: Spouse Visa (Marriage Visa) Application for Couples with Age Difference
Especially if the age difference is 15 years or more, it is necessary to prepare documents that show credibility when applying. The main checkpoints are an explanation of how you met and started dating, documents such as SNS and photos during dating that support the relationship, photos of you meeting your parents, communication language, and especially whether the Japanese person’s annual income is sufficient. While the screening is becoming stricter, it is possible to obtain a visa if you have solid evidence and accurate documents.
By utilizing the support of an administrative scrivener and preparing a detailed relationship history and evidence, it will be easier to pass the screening.
Make the necessary preparations to obtain a spouse visa and start a new life in Japan with peace of mind, even if there is an age difference.
