[Approved Case] After Divorce: Change from Japanese Spouse Visa to Long-Term Resident Visa
After Divorce: Change from Spouse Visa to Long-Term Resident Visa
Case Overview | Fast Support for a Change to Long-Term Resident Status Under a Tight Deadline
This case involves a client who contacted us after divorcing a Japanese spouse, with only “two weeks remaining” on the spouse visa and strong anxiety about maintaining lawful status. Since switching to a work visa was difficult due to education and job-type circumstances, we organized key facts (including the length of the marriage) and assessed eligibility, then provided hands-on support to prepare and submit an application to change status to a Long-Term Resident Visa within a short time frame.
- Nationality: United States
- Situation: Divorced / Only 2 weeks left until spouse visa expiry
- Challenge: Work visa difficult due to job type and education background
- Approach: Assessed the possibility of changing to Long-Term Resident status
- Support: Short-term, end-to-end support from document organization to filing
- Result: Approved within 1 week of submission
Client Testimonial | “I was scared to even think about my visa situation”
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Mr. S. Sullivan (U.S.) |
| Request: After divorce, change from a Japanese spouse visa to a Long-Term Resident Visa |
I had been married to my Japanese husband for just over three years when we unfortunately divorced.At that time I still had a year left on my visa so I tried to ignore my pending visa issues for as long as I could.With only about 2 weeks left on my spousal visa I contacted Acroseed and scheduled a meeting.
Though I had been working at my current job for almost two years, it was not in a field that I would be able to attain a work visa.Having never finished University, many of the usual routes to getting a visa were also closed to me.
At Acroseed I was advised that I may be eligible for a long-term visa due to the length of my marriage.Within about a week they helped me prepare all the necessary paperwork and submitted my request.
I had many concerns, the biggest of which is that I am a non-professional and look the part! But my visa was granted in less than a week!
Miyagawa-san and Maki, thanks again for all of your help!
I am so grateful that everything turned out for the best!!
S. Sullivan
Who This Case May Be Helpful For
After divorce, even if you still have some time left on your current residence status, it’s important to clarify “what to do next” as early as possible. Especially when it is hard to meet work-visa requirements (education, job type, job description, etc.), many people feel their options are limited and may become afraid of the process itself.
- Those who divorced a Japanese spouse and feel anxious about what happens to their spouse visa
- Those whose spouse visa is close to expiring (little time for renewal or change)
- Those told a work visa would be difficult due to education (e.g., no university degree) or job type
- Those without a professional career background who feel a standard work-visa path is difficult
- Those who want to assess the possibility of a Long-Term Resident Visa based on marriage length and living circumstances
As this case shows, even after divorce, carefully organizing factors such as marriage duration, living circumstances, and employment situation, and building an application in a way that is clearly understood by immigration, may lead to approval of a Long-Term Resident Visa. Even if you are at the stage of “I’m scared to think about it” or “I don’t know where to start,” we can begin by organizing your current situation together.
Related Services
At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, we provide continuous support tailored to your circumstances—from an initial spouse visa application to a change to Long-Term Resident status and renewal procedures.
How to Obtain a Long-Term Resident Visa After Divorce from a Japanese National
We help strengthen your chances by structuring a persuasive explanation and organizing supporting documents based on your background.
Guide to Applying for Permanent Residence from Long-Term Resident Status
We explain the requirements for permanent residence for Long-Term Residents and support you with a well-structured explanation and documentation to increase approval likelihood.
Since opening our practice in 1986, we have been involved in consulting on visa applications for foreigners for nearly 40 years as an immigration lawyer.
Telephone consultation, email consultation, online consultation, and consultation at our office are available.
