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The Global Insight

Can I live in Japan if my wife is Japanese?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 13, 2026

If you are married to a Japanese national and want to live in Japan with him/her, you will need a visa for a Spouse or Child of a Japanese National. Your marriage must be legally recognized in your home country as well as in Japan.

Do you get citizenship if you marry a Japanese?

Simply marrying a Japanese citizen does not automatically grant Japanese citizenship to a foreign national. Attaining Japanese citizenship must be done though the normal naturalization process. However, marrying a Japanese citizen does allow the foreign national to immediately obtain a spousal visa.

How long do you have to be married to keep your green card?

In fact, you have to remain married up until you actually get your U.S. citizenship, and you have to be living with your spouse three years before filing your N-400 application to qualify on this early basis. However, you may still be eligible to file Form N-400 on the basis of five years as a permanent resident.

Do you have to live together for a green card marriage?

The answer is yes . . . and no. Let me explain. I answered “yes” because there is absolutely no legal requirement that you and your spouse have to be living together in order for you to get a green card through a marriage-based immigration petition. And to meet that burden, you don’t have to show cohabitation.

Can I work in Japan if my wife is Japanese?

Residential statuses permitted to work in any type of industry or job: “Permanent Resident”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” and “Long term Resident”. Foreigners having one of the above residential status are completely free to engage in any type of activities in Japan.

Can Japanese marry foreigners?

Japanese law requires all foreigners who marry in Japan to first prepare a sworn Affidavit of Competency to Marry, affirming they are legally free to marry, from their own country’s embassy or consulate in Japan. You should use this form if you are planning to marry someone who is not a U.S. citizen.

Can you live in Japan without citizenship?

Want to know how to buy a house in Japan as a foreigner? In general, there are no legal restrictions to expats owning a home in Japan. However, expats without citizenship or permanent residency visa in Japan, nor married to a Japanese citizen, should note that the process to buy a home will be difficult.

Can I lose my citizenship if I divorce?

If you get a divorce during this time, you will have to wait five years instead of three to file for citizenship. After five years, divorce does not affect your eligibility because eligibility does not depend on marriage. The USCIS will not automatically assume that divorce equals a false marriage.

Can a green card be revoked upon divorce?

Green card holders are usually unaffected by a divorce when they file another application or petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card. There is usually no reason for USCIS to reevaluate your petition after a divorce.

Can you get a green card if you get married in Japan?

You can also choose to get married first in Japan or in another country, and then apply for an immigrant visa with which to enter the United States. This visa is the equivalent of a green card. The actual card will arrive some weeks after your then-spouse’s entry to the United States.

Can a spouse of an US citizen get a green card?

After USCIS approves the I-130, spouses of U.S. citizens can move forward with visa processing. Spouses of permanent residents can obtain permanent residence in the U.S. only after space for a permanent resident in category F2A becomes available based on your spouse’s ” priority date.

How is a green card issued to a noncitizen?

After entering the country on this visa, the noncitizen will be granted Permanent or Conditional Resident status. A permanent resident card (“green card”) is issued by USCIS after admission and is later mailed to the noncitizen’s U.S. address. A Permanent Resident Card (I-551) is proof of lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

How does an alien get a green card?

After entering the country on this visa, the alien will be granted Permanent or Conditional Resident status. A permanent resident card (“green card”) is issued by USCIS after admission and is later mailed to the alien’s U.S. address. A Permanent Resident Card (I-551) is proof of lawful permanent resident status in the United States.