My Experience Renewing a Spouse Visa in Japan — And Why I’m Using an Immigration Lawyer Next Time

I have been to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau twice in the past three years, and one thing has not changed: the queues.

Even if you arrive prepared, the process can take a long time. You wait, check your documents again, wait some more, and hope that nothing important is missing. The staff have always been professional in my experience, but visiting Immigration is still not something I would describe as relaxing.

I currently live in Japan on a Spouse of a Japanese National visa. I have renewed this visa twice myself.

The first renewal was relatively smooth. The application was processed in less than two months, but I received another one-year visa.

The second renewal took more than three months. Thankfully, I was granted a three-year visa, so the result was positive. However, the process reminded me how much time, patience, and paperwork can be involved.

One reason my application required extra preparation is that I am a sole proprietor (個人事業主 / kojin jigyōnushi). For someone in regular full-time employment, some documents may be easier to prepare. In my case, I had to collect various records connected to my income, tax situation, and business activities.

None of this was impossible, but it was time-consuming. The difficult part was not one single document. It was making sure that everything matched, nothing was missing, and the application presented a clear picture of my situation.

For my next visa renewal, I have decided to use an immigration lawyer. The lawyer will help prepare the application, advise me on the required documents, check the paperwork, and handle much of the process on my behalf.

For me, the benefits are clear: fewer mistakes, less time spent worrying, less stress at Immigration, and more confidence that the application has been prepared properly.

I also plan to use the same lawyer for my future permanent residency application. Permanent residency is a major step, and I do not want to treat it casually. With increasing public attention on immigration policy, I personally feel more comfortable having professional assistance to make sure everything is prepared correctly from the beginning.

Of course, not everyone needs an immigration lawyer. If your situation is straightforward and you are comfortable preparing official documents yourself, applying on your own may be perfectly reasonable.

However, if you are self-employed, have several sources of income, own a business, have dependents, or simply want peace of mind, professional help may be worth considering.

My advice is simple: start preparing early, keep copies of every important document, and do not underestimate how long the process can take. Whether you apply yourself or use a lawyer, good preparation makes the experience much less stressful.