sponsor difficulties

[DCM_Dan]

I'm in an predicament. I have a Japanese wife and 3 kids. I used to live in Japan during the mid-90's. I want to apply for a spousal visa and then relocate back to Japan and then look for work once I'm back there. But, for various reasons, we don't have an ideal Japanese national to sign on as a sponsor for me. My wife's parents are separated (but not divorced) but both are retired and with no income to speak of.
We have been living in the U.S. for 10 years and want to return.

Is my best alternative to try and find a job from the U.S. and get a company sponsor / working visa?

 

[FrustratedDave]

Why do you need a sponsor if your wife is a Japanese national?

 

[Glenski]

Dave, he still needs a financial sponsor.



If your wife is not working, she probably cannot serve as sponsor. Mine was working but only pt, so I asked her father.


As long as he is still her father, ask him. Doesn't matter if he's divorced. Mine did it the year after he divorced. If this is still not an option for some reason (his savings are not enough?), how about an uncle or cousin?

If none of this pans out, then just get a work visa. No harm in it at all. Perhaps you can stay long enough to merit Permanent Resident status, then it's all golden.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Just wondering ?

Let's say you work for L.L. Beans in the US.(or any other US company with a branch in Japan). If they send you to Japan to work in their branch there, they would be your sponsor right?(the Japanese branch I mean) I'm just wondering ,if in general, if working in Japan in a non-Japanese company makes things a lot easier all the way around as far as visa, housing, transportation, etc. .

Uncle Frank

 

[Pachipro]

Hey Glenn, just for our own info when we return. My father-in-law has passed on, but my mother-in-law is financially independent and does not work. My wife and I are also financially independent. Will our bank accounts (mother-in-law's and ours) be enough to self sponsor or will we still need an outside sponsor? If you know off-hand we would appreciate it, but don't go out of your way to look it up as we can do that in time. Just wondering. Thanks

 

[Glenski]

Frank,
If you get transferred here, then you are governed by the intracompany transfer visa. That main office is your sponsor.

If you get hired locally in Japan, you will probably have to get a work visa. Then, the local employer is your sponsor.

Pachipro,

my mother-in-law is financially independent and does not work. My wife and I are also financially independent. Will our bank accounts (mother-in-law's and ours) be enough to self sponsor or will we still need an outside sponsor? If you know off-hand we would appreciate it

Your own bank account is pointless, I think. The issue comes down to sponsorship. Kinda hard to say your wife's bank account is separate from yours, so it's like asking immigration to accept sponsoring yourself for a spouse visa. I'd put more stock in getting sponsored with the MIL. Please find out and get back to me, ok? I don't know for sure, and I'd like to know so I can pass this on.

 

[DCM_Dan]

Thanks for the comments folks. I'll try to see if my estranged father-in-law might be willing to sponsor me. In the meantime, I'm looking for work...

 

[FrustratedDave]

Hey Glenn, just for our own info when we return. My father-in-law has passed on, but my mother-in-law is financially independent and does not work. My wife and I are also financially independent. Will our bank accounts (mother-in-law's and ours) be enough to self sponsor or will we still need an outside sponsor? If you know off-hand we would appreciate it, but don't go out of your way to look it up as we can do that in time. Just wondering. Thanks

I didn't need a sponsor when I got my visa. Is there an amount that you can earn in a year that could make you exempt from getting a sponsor?

 

[Glenski]

Dave,
What kind of visa are you talking about? Spouse visa? Your spouse (or likely the in-laws) would have had to sign as guarantor (read: sponsor).

And, no, the amount you make is pointless. Documents require a sponsor.

 

[NekoMama7]

Rather than wondering and guessing, I suggest that you contact the immigration office and explain your situation and ask them what you'll need. I emailed them about some questions and got a very quick yet thorough reply. I'm sure they are OK with English message, but for more accurate and possibly quick response, you may want to ask your wife to write up a message in Japanese. You can get their email address here -> Immigration Services Agency of Japan

 

[180 drifter]

so you all are saying that even if i am married to a japanese national have a child with a japanese national and want to stay in japan i am still going to need someone else besides my wife to sign for me if she doesn't work? but if she does work then she can sign for me?

 

[Glenski]

That's my understanding, drifter. I was between jobs when I applied for my spouse visa. My wife worked only PT, so we got her father to sign as guarantor. So, it may also depend on how much your wife makes and if she is PT or FT, permanent or temporary.

Have her call immigration!