If the Japanese spouse is unemployed, can the spouse visa still be renewed?

2. Situations Where Renewal Is More Likely to Be Approved Even If Unemployed

Even if the Japanese spouse becomes unemployed, it is not rare for spouse visa renewal to be approved without problems, depending on the circumstances. Immigration does not look only at “whether you are currently working,” but makes a comprehensive assessment based on how you became unemployed, what you did afterward, and the household’s overall living situation.

Here, we explain representative situations that are particularly likely to be approved in practice.

1. The reason for resignation is clear, and there is concrete job-search activity

If the reason for resignation is clear and you can explain that unemployment is temporary, it tends not to be evaluated as a major negative factor in spouse visa renewal.

For example, expiration of a fixed-term contract, company circumstances, or unavoidable resignation due to changes in duties or work conditions— if there is a reasonable explanation, it is less likely to be considered that “stability has completely been lost.”

Also, if it is clear that the person started moving toward re-employment immediately after resignation, it is easier for immigration to view the risk of long-term unemployment as low. By showing evidence such as job registration at Hello Work, using a recruitment agency, application history, or scheduled interviews, you can explain concretely that there is a realistic outlook.

What matters is not merely the fact of “being unemployed,” but whether your documents naturally convey why unemployment occurred and how you plan to rebuild your household’s livelihood.

2. The foreign spouse has stable income

Even if the Japanese spouse is temporarily unemployed, if the foreign spouse has stable income, it is easier to be evaluated that the household can maintain its livelihood.

In particular, if the foreign spouse has been working continuously under a work visa or spouse visa and earns a steady monthly income, this often works in your favor as a factor supporting living stability.

By submitting pay slips, an employment contract, a certificate of employment, etc., you can objectively demonstrate current income conditions and help mitigate the impact of the Japanese spouse’s unemployment on screening.

3. There are sufficient savings to cover living expenses for the time being

If the couple has sufficient savings, it can also be a key factor to offset instability caused by unemployment.

If you can explain that you have enough savings to cover living expenses for several months to around half a year and that the funds are actually being used for living, it is easier to be assessed that “the household will not immediately become unsustainable despite an unemployment period.”

It is important to show concrete figures using documents such as a bank balance certificate or copies of bankbooks/statements.

4. Housing costs are low, and overall living costs are controlled

If you live in your own home or in housing with a low rent burden, it may be evaluated that your living costs are relatively controlled.

Explaining circumstances such as a fully paid mortgage or living in a relative’s property for free or at a low cost can serve as supplementary material supporting the household’s stability.

5. You can receive support from relatives

Even when it is difficult to explain stability solely through income or savings, if you can receive ongoing support from relatives, it may be evaluated as a factor supplementing your living foundation.

In such cases, attaching written confirmation of the supporter’s intent and documents showing specific support content and period helps you explain that the household can remain stable despite temporary unemployment.

In any of these situations, renewal is not decided by the fact of unemployment alone— the key point is whether you can explain the sustainability of the household as a whole.

3. Key Points You Should Explain Specifically

When filing a renewal application, it is important to explain the following points both in writing and through supporting documents.

1. Your Current Living Situation

First, clarify how your household is currently sustaining its day-to-day life. If the foreign spouse has income, submit pay slips and an employment contract. If you have savings, use documents such as a balance certificate to show that there is no immediate difficulty in maintaining your livelihood.

Even if income or savings are not sufficient, if you can receive financial support from relatives, you can supplement the stability explanation by attaching a consent letter from the supporter and documents that show planned remittances or support details.

2. Future Outlook (Job-Search Status)

If the Japanese spouse is unemployed, it is also important to show concretely that “they are currently looking for work.”

For example:

• Being registered as a job seeker at Hello Work
• Using a recruitment/placement agency
• Having an application history or scheduled interviews

If you can explain these, it becomes easier to avoid the evaluation that “unemployment means there is no future outlook.”

4. You Should Avoid Applying “Without Any Explanation”

When the Japanese spouse is unemployed, the most important thing to avoid is submitting a renewal application without any explanation of the situation. People often assume, “It’s only temporary, so it should be fine,” or “It’s a renewal, so no special explanation is necessary,” but this judgment can end up working against you.

Immigration assesses your current living situation and future outlook based on what is written in the application and the documents submitted. Therefore, if the income section is blank, or if your employment situation has changed since the previous renewal without any supplemental explanation, it may be interpreted as “the actual living situation cannot be sufficiently understood” or “there are concerns about stability.”

This does not mean unemployment itself is immediately treated as a problem. Rather, the risk is that the documents do not allow immigration to understand “why the person is unemployed,” “how the household is living now,” and “what the plan is going forward.”

Even if unemployment is temporary, organizing the background of the resignation, the current living situation, and future job-search plans—and explaining them both in writing and with documents— can greatly reduce the chance that immigration will conclude “unemployment means the household cannot sustain itself.”

For renewal applications, it is important to anticipate and carefully address points immigration is likely to question. Accurately communicating your situation and providing convincing explanations will lead to a smoother renewal outcome.

5. Case Examples: Obtaining a “3-Year” Period upon Renewal of a Spouse Visa

In renewal of status of residence, stability of livelihood and continuity of a genuine marriage tend to be evaluated and can affect the period of stay (e.g., 1 year, 3 years). In this section, we mainly introduce cases where a “3-year” period was granted upon renewal.

	VOL.179 Mr./Ms. Qin (China)
	[Approved Case] 3-Year Approval Granted upon Spouse Visa Renewal

	Client (from Google Reviews)
	[Approved Case] 3-Year Approval Granted upon Spouse Visa Renewal

See a summary of approved spouse visa cases here

Client Testimonials from Google Reviews

6. For Those Struggling Because the Spouse Became Unemployed at Renewal Time

Even if the Japanese spouse becomes unemployed, it does not mean that renewing the spouse visa will immediately become difficult. What matters is whether you can explain concretely that the couple can continue a stable life in Japan as a household.

You do not need to be overly anxious about unemployment itself, but it is risky to assume, “They will understand even if we don’t explain.” Precisely because it is renewal timing, we recommend carefully organizing your current situation and submitting the application with the necessary documents and explanations prepared.

7. Support System of ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office

A spouse visa application is not only about collecting documents. It is essential to proactively align the entire set of materials by anticipating the points Immigration is likely to check.
From the initial planning stage, our office identifies potential risk factors and provides end-to-end support—covering submission order, supporting documents, and the overall strategy for the Statement of Reasons.

Nationwide support: Managed mainly via email and online. Clients outside the area receive the same quality of support.

Multilingual support: Consultations available in English and Chinese.

Clear progress tracking: Check application status and required documents through an online system.

Support for difficult cases: Extensive experience with cases likely to face closer scrutiny, including re-applications after denial.

Transparent fees: Clear fee structure designed to minimize unexpected additional charges.

Support even after a denial: If denied, we provide a free re-application and thorough support until approval.

Information security: We properly manage personal information under operations based on ISO27001.

Pages Often Read Together When Applying for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains the requirements for obtaining a spouse visa (marriage), working under a spouse visa, applying for permanent residency from a spouse visa, what happens in the event of divorce under a spouse visa, required documents, and more.

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National Renewal Procedures Guide

Renewal procedures for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa). An administrative scrivener explains the required document checklist, how to avoid denial cases, and key points to prove eligibility for obtaining a 3-year or 5-year period of stay.

Applying for Permanent Residency from a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

At ACROSEED, we have a proven track record not only with first-time spouse visa applications, but also with cases that were denied multiple times when filed by the applicant alone, as well as procedures for those with past legal violations or a history of overstaying—across a wide variety of situations.

For More Detailed Questions About the Spouse Visa System

Please explain the requirements for obtaining a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National in detail
Periods of stay for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Differences between 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years
Required documents & Statement of Reasons for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Key examination points and preparation tips (Latest Edition)
How to invite a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan with a COE
Can we apply for a Certificate of Eligibility while both spouses remain overseas?
Changing from a short-term visa to a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: General rules and exceptions
How to change from a student/work visa to a spouse visa
My spouse visa application was denied (COE not issued). Can I re-apply?