After Divorcing a Japanese Spouse and Remarrying, Can You Renew a Spouse Visa? Key Points and Countermeasures

If a person who has been residing in Japan under the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Spouse Visa)” divorces a Japanese national, then even if there is time remaining on their period of stay, the premise of “residence based on the status as a spouse” is, in effect, broken once. After that, it is not uncommon for someone to remarry another Japanese national within the remaining period of stay and seek renewal at the next renewal as the new spouse.

However, in this type of case, immigration tends to closely examine the genuineness of the marriage. Depending on the timing and circumstances, you may be more likely to be suspected of a sham marriage (a marriage for the purpose of residence), making it essential to prepare a clear explanation and well-structured supporting documentation. If you file with minimal preparation on the assumption that “renewal should be possible because we are married,” it can lead to requests for additional documents and a longer review period.

1. Conclusion: Renewal may be possible—however, explaining the timeline from divorce to remarriage is key

Even if you remarry another Japanese national after divorce, if the current marriage is genuine and has substance, you can aim to renew your status at the next renewal as the new spouse under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.

On the other hand, immigration comprehensively considers whether “the flow from the dissolution of the previous marriage to remarriage is natural,” and whether there is evidence of a real relationship such as dating history, cohabitation, and a shared household. In particular, if you remarry soon after divorce or if evidence supporting the relationship is limited, it is often necessary to substantiate your case with additional documentation.

2. Initial steps you should take first (post-divorce notifications, deadlines, and records)

If you divorce, you must submit the required notification (notification regarding spouse) within the deadline. Delays in filing may work against you in a later renewal review, so early action is safer.

• Confirm the date of divorce (date it becomes effective) (clarify the date with family registry records, certificate of acceptance, etc.)
• Submit the post-divorce notification within the deadline (keep proof of submission)
• If the period until remarriage is short, organize the relationship timeline—when the relationship began, when separation started, and the reasons for divorce—in chronological order
• Collect objective evidence early, such as contact history, photos, the date cohabitation began, and how living expenses are shared

In general, you can file a renewal application from about three months before the expiration date. Because anxiety increases when the review takes longer than expected, it is practical—where possible—to begin preparing by counting back from the three-month mark.

3. Typical Patterns More Likely to Raise Suspicion of a Sham Marriage

This does not mean you will automatically be deemed to have entered into a “sham marriage,” but when the following factors overlap, immigration tends to review the case more cautiously. If any of these apply, prepare a “natural and coherent explanation” in advance through a written statement and supporting evidence.

1. The time from divorce to remarriage is extremely short (e.g., several weeks to a few months)
2. The previous marriage appears insubstantial / cohabitation was brief / the separation period was long
3. The dating period is short, or there is limited evidence of the relationship (few photos or records)
4. You are not living together, or finances are separate (making it difficult to explain a shared household)
5. The introduction through acquaintances is unclear, there were no introductions to family/friends, or social recognition is limited
6. There were past issues such as overstay, and an explanation of immigration status/history is necessary

4. Key Review Points and the Supporting Evidence You Should Prepare

For renewal review, it is easier to prepare if you organize your materials around the following three pillars.

(1) Genuineness of the Marriage (Substance of the Relationship)

• Relationship history: how you met → dating → engagement → marriage (chronological timeline)
• Cohabitation: residence certificate, lease agreement, utility bills, mail, etc.
• Communication and interaction: photos, call/message logs, travel records, participation in family events
• Social recognition: letters of reference, records of wedding/greetings, third-party statements (as needed)

(2) Stable Livelihood (Stability)

• tax certificates and tax payment certificates, pay slips, bankbooks, employment conditions, and an explanation of how household expenses are shared
• your couple’s life plan (housing, work, support arrangements, insurance, etc.)

(3) Organizing the Previous Marriage (Reasons for Divorce and the Naturalness of Remarriage)

• the start of separation, the course of divorce discussions, and the date the divorce became final (organize carefully to avoid inconsistencies)
• if the start of the relationship with your new spouse overlaps with the previous marriage, prepare an explanation that avoids misunderstandings
• if there are unavoidable circumstances such as DV, organize the information with a professional, including whether and what to submit

The key is not “submitting a huge volume of evidence,” but rather matching the points likely to be questioned with necessary and sufficient objective documentation. If the documents and explanations align with the issues immigration cares about, the review tends to proceed more smoothly.

5. How to Write the Statement of Reasons (Background Explanation): What and How Should You Explain?

In this type of case, your statement (explanatory letter) should be prepared so that you can explain at least the following points without contradictions and in chronological order.

• Previous marriage: marriage → cohabitation → separation → reasons leading to divorce (briefly, fact-based)
• How you met your current spouse: where/when you met and why the relationship developed
• Substance of the relationship: when, where, and how often you met (ensure consistency with photos and records)
• Cohabitation and finances: when you started living together and how living expenses are managed
• Future plans: your life plan going forward (housing, work, family plans, etc.)

The key is that a third party can naturally understand “why you came to marry this person after divorce”. In situations that are more likely to raise suspicion—such as remarriage soon after divorce—your explanation becomes more persuasive when prepared together with the objective documents listed above.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

A short period between divorce and remarriage, by itself, does not automatically lead to a denial. However, in practice, it often places the case in a category where immigration examines more carefully whether this is “a marriage for the purpose of residence”.

In particular, if you remarry within a few months of the divorce becoming final, or if the timing of your relationship with your current spouse is close to the prior marriage, what matters is whether you can provide a natural, chronological explanation of “how the prior marriage ended” and “how the relationship with your current spouse developed afterward.”

Therefore, rather than simply submitting a marriage registration, it is advisable to prepare carefully in advance so that you can objectively demonstrate that your current marriage has real substance—using photos and communication logs that show the relationship history, a residence certificate showing when cohabitation began, and documentation explaining how living expenses are shared.

Even if you were single for a certain period after divorce and then remarried, if you can confirm that your current marriage is genuine and your livelihood is stable, it is possible to aim for renewal under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.”

However, immigration will also confirm points such as “how you lived during the period after divorce before remarriage,” and “when and how you met your current spouse and how the relationship developed.” If there is no explanation for the gap period, or if there are discrepancies between your explanation and submitted documents, you may be asked to submit additional materials.

Depending on the situation, in some cases it may be more appropriate to organize the case as a Change of Status of Residence application rather than a “renewal” under the current status. The appropriate procedure differs depending on the timing of divorce/remarriage and your residence status, so an individualized assessment is important.

If any of the following apply, we recommend consulting a professional early, as the renewal review may be prolonged due to insufficient explanation or documentation, or you may face an unfavorable assessment.

• If the period from divorce to remarriage is short and the background is difficult to explain
• If you have not yet started cohabitation with your current spouse, or you continue to live separately
• If the dating period is short and you have limited objective evidence such as photos or communication logs
• If the reasons and background of the divorce are complex and need to be organized in writing
• If there were past immigration issues such as overstay or a prior denial

Even if these apply, with an appropriate statement structure and careful selection of supporting documents, it is entirely possible to communicate the situation accurately without causing misunderstandings. If you have concerns, consulting during the preparation stage—rather than right before filing—often leads to a more stable application.

7. For Those Who Feel Anxious About Spouse Visa Renewal

Renewing a spouse visa after divorcing and remarrying a Japanese national is not uncommon. However, in practice, it often requires explaining the genuineness of the marriage and the background timeline, and many people feel unsure about “what exactly should be explained, and how far.”

Especially when the period from divorce to remarriage is short, cohabitation started recently, or relationship evidence is not yet sufficient, it is not unusual for immigration to request additional documents or more detailed explanations. In these cases, how you organize and submit the application documents can affect the flow and outcome of the review.

At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, for spouse visa renewals after divorce and remarriage—cases that often require careful explanation— we provide support based on pre-filing interviews, including: organizing points that are likely to be questioned, designing the structure of the statement of reasons, and selecting and arranging the supporting evidence, all grounded in practical immigration review experience.

It is perfectly fine to reach out even at an early stage—such as “I’m not sure if renewal is possible” or “I don’t know how much to explain.” By organizing the overall picture early, you can avoid unnecessary additional requests and proceed with the renewal process calmly.

8. 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?