“If I get divorced, can I still continue living in Japan?”
For foreign nationals living in Japan on a Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa (commonly called a Spouse Visa), one of the biggest concerns after a divorce is what will happen to their immigration status. It’s not just about paperwork—it can affect their entire life in Japan.
The good news is that your residence status does not disappear the moment your divorce becomes final. However, there are two important deadlines you need to know: a 14-day notification requirement and a six-month time limit. Missing these deadlines could put you at risk of having your status of residence revoked or make it more difficult to remain in Japan.
At Megumi Immigration Law Office, an immigration law office based in Makuhari, Chiba, we provide immigration consultation services in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
In this article, we’ll explain the procedures you need to complete after a divorce, the key deadlines to keep in mind, and the possible visa options available if you wish to continue living in Japan after your marriage has ended.
The period right after a divorce can be emotionally overwhelming. That’s why it’s a good idea to take care of any time-sensitive procedures first. Once those are out of the way, you’ll have the peace of mind to focus on what comes next.
目次
What to Do After a Divorce: A Simple Timeline
Here’s a simple timeline of the key steps you’ll need to take after a divorce.
Timeframe
What You Should Do
Key Points
Within 14 Days of Your Divorce
Submit a Notification Regarding Your Spouse to the Immigration Services Agency.
This is a legal requirement.
As Soon as Possible
Consider your options for a new residence status and apply for a change of status if necessary.
The documents you’ll need depend on the residence status you choose.
Within 6 Months
If you remain in Japan without engaging in activities as a spouse for more than six months, your residence status may become subject to revocation.
This is not a deadline for filing a Change of Status application. However, remaining inactive as a spouse for over six months may put your residence status at risk.
One important point to keep in mind: if your period of stay expires before the six-month mark, you must take the necessary steps before your current residence status expires.
A simple way to remember the process after a divorce is that it has two separate steps:
Notify the Immigration Services Agency of your divorce.
Consider and apply for a change of residence status, if necessary.
These are separate legal procedures, and it’s important not to confuse one with the other.
Notify Immigration Within 14 Days of Your Divorce
If you hold a Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Dependent residence status and you divorce (or your spouse passes away), Japanese law requires you to notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of the change.
The Immigration Services Agency provides detailed instructions on how to submit this notification. You can choose one of three methods:
Submit it online through the electronic notification system
Visit your local Immigration Services office
Send it by mail
Many people worry that reporting their divorce will negatively affect their immigration status. In reality, the opposite is often true. Failing to submit the notification can create problems later, especially when you apply to change or renew your residence status.
Being honest and keeping your immigration records up to date is always the best approach.
We’re often asked, “Will my visa be cancelled as soon as I report the divorce?” The answer is no. Filing the notification does not automatically cancel your residence status. The important thing is to submit the notification on time, then take a step back and carefully consider which residence status may be right for you next.
The 6-Month Rule: Your Residence Status May Be Revoked If You Do Not Engage in Spousal Activities
Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act includes a residence status revocation system.
If you hold a Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident residence status and you no longer engage in activities as a spouse for more than six consecutive months, your residence status may be revoked.
In practical terms, this means that if you divorce or your spouse passes away and no longer qualify as a spouse, you cannot simply remain on the same residence status indefinitely. Even if your residence card has not yet expired, your residence status could still be subject to revocation.
It’s also important to understand that the six-month period is not a deadline to apply for a Change of Status of Residence. Instead, it is one of the factors immigration authorities may consider when deciding whether your current residence status should be revoked.
Residence Status Options for Staying in Japan After Divorce
If you wish to continue living in Japan after your divorce, you will need to consider changing from a Spouse or Child of Japanese National residence status to another appropriate status.
The three main options are as follows:
Option 1: Changing to Long-Term Resident Status After Divorce
For many people, the first option to consider after a divorce is applying for Long-Term Resident status. In practice, this is often referred to as a “divorce-based Long-Term Resident” application.
When reviewing your application, immigration authorities will consider a range of factors, including the length of your marriage, whether you had a genuine married life together, your ability to support yourself financially, and your overall immigration history in Japan.
If you are raising a Japanese child, your role in the child’s upbringing and care will also be an important factor in the assessment.
It’s important to understand that Long-Term Resident status is not automatically available after a divorce. Whether you qualify depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s a good idea to seek advice and assess your eligibility as early as possible.
Option 2: Changing to a Work-Related Residence Status
If you have a university degree or relevant professional experience, and you are working (or have a job offer) in a position such as an interpreter, translator, engineer, or sales representative, you may be eligible to change to a work-related residence status, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
For this type of application, one of the key requirements is that your job duties must be closely related to your educational background or professional experience.
Because a spouse residence status allows you to work without restrictions, the job you currently have may not necessarily qualify for a work-related residence status. It’s important to confirm that both your position and your qualifications meet the immigration requirements before applying.
In addition, if your job primarily relies on foreign language skills—such as interpretation, translation, or certain customer-facing roles—immigration authorities may ask for evidence of your language proficiency. Depending on the position, this could include documentation demonstrating a language level equivalent to CEFR B2 or higher.
Option 3: Applying for a New Spouse Residence Status After Remarriage
If you remarry a different Japanese national after your divorce, you may apply for a new Spouse or Child of Japanese National residence status.
However, immigration authorities will generally examine your application carefully, taking into account your previous marriage, the circumstances surrounding your divorce, and the genuineness of your new marriage.
For a detailed explanation of the spouse residence status application process, please see our guide:
When deciding which residence status to apply for next, it can help to start by asking yourself, “What matters most in my life right now?” Do you want to protect the life you have built with your child? Or is your priority to keep your current job? Once you know what you want to protect, it becomes much easier to see which residence status may be the right fit—and what you need to prepare for the application.
Which Option Is Right for You? A Practical Guide Based on Your Situation
Although everyone’s situation begins with the same event—divorce—the most suitable residence status to consider next will depend on your individual circumstances.
If You’re Raising a Japanese Child, Long-Term Resident Status May Be the Best Option to Consider
If you have parental custody of your Japanese child and are actively raising them, Long-Term Resident status is often the first option to consider.
Start by checking whether this route could allow your child to remain in the same home, school, and community without unnecessary disruption.
If You Have a Stable Job, a Work-Related Residence Status May Also Be an Option
If your educational background or professional experience aligns with your current job, changing to a work-related residence status may be a realistic option.
Because your employer will need to provide supporting documents, such as your employment contract and company information, it’s a good idea to discuss your plans with them as early as possible.
If You Plan to Stay in Japan Long Term, Keep Permanent Residence in Mind
Once your residence status after divorce has become stable, you may also wish to consider applying for Permanent Residence in the future.
For a detailed explanation of the eligibility requirements and important points to keep in mind, please see our guide:
Please note that if you already hold Permanent Resident status, getting divorced will not affect that status. You are also not required to submit a notification regarding your spouse to Immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to leave Japan immediately after getting divorced?
No. You do not have to leave Japan immediately after your divorce.
As long as you submit the required notification to Immigration within 14 days and take steps to change to another appropriate residence status within approximately six months, you may be able to continue living in Japan.
Keep in mind that the six-month period is not a deadline for submitting a Change of Status application. Rather, it is the period during which Immigration may begin considering whether to revoke your current residence status if you are no longer engaging in the activities associated with it.
. Do I need to notify Immigration if we are separated but not divorced?
Not solely because you are living separately. The notification regarding your spouse is required when you divorce or when your spouse passes away.
However, if you have not been living as a married couple for six months or longer, your residence status may become subject to revocation. If you have been separated for an extended period, it is a good idea to seek advice as early as possible.
What happens if I divorce while holding a Dependent residence status?
If you hold a Dependent residence status as the spouse of a foreign national living in Japan, you must also submit a notification to Immigration within 14 days of your divorce. (This notification does not apply to children who hold Dependent status.)
In addition, Dependent status is intended for people who are financially supported by their spouse. If you have not been engaging in the activities permitted under that residence status for more than three months, your residence status may become subject to revocation. This is a shorter period than the six-month rule that applies to spouse residence status.
For this reason, if you divorce while holding Dependent status, you should not wait six months. Instead, you should consider changing to another appropriate residence status as soon as possible.
Every situation is different, and even if the reason is the same—divorce—the best path forward can vary from person to person. If you’re unsure about what to do next, don’t worry. Even if you just need help understanding your options, we’re happy to talk things through with you. Feel free to reach out for a consultation.
Conclusion: Keep the Two Key Deadlines in Mind and Take the Next Step Toward the Right Residence Status
To summarize, here are the key points to remember:
Your residence status does not automatically end the moment you get divorced.
If you divorce (or your spouse passes away), you must submit a Notification Regarding Your Spouse to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days.
If you are no longer engaging in activities as the spouse of a Japanese national for six months, your residence status may become subject to revocation.
The six-month rule is not a deadline for applying for a Change of Status of Residence. If your current period of stay expires sooner, you must take the necessary steps before your residence status expires.
In some cases, such as domestic violence (DV) or when divorce proceedings are ongoing because of mediation or court proceedings, Immigration may recognize a justifiable reason, and different considerations may apply.
If you hold Dependent status as a spouse, your residence status may become subject to revocation after three months of not engaging in the permitted activities, so it is important to consider your next residence status as early as possible.
The main options after divorce are Long-Term Resident status, a work-related residence status, or a new spouse residence status following remarriage.
If you already hold Permanent Resident status, your residence status is not affected by divorce.
The procedures you need to complete after a divorce are subject to important deadlines, and the documents required will vary significantly depending on which residence status you apply for next. Navigating the process on your own can be overwhelming.
At Megumi Immigration Law Office, we provide immigration consultations in Japanese, English, and Chinese, including advice and support for changing your residence status after divorce.
If you’re wondering which residence status may be right for your situation, we invite you to start with our free consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances and explain the options available to you.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Let’s work together to find the residence status that best supports your next chapter in Japan.
Profile Megumi Suzuki, Immigration Lawyer . After graduating from universities in both Japan and Shanghai, I worked for about 12 years as an international flight attendant. Through my encounters with people from diverse backgrounds, I was inspired by those pursuing their dreams of studying or working in Japan.
As an administrative scrivener, I focuses on supporting foreign nationals — from visa applications to broader aspects of life in Japan. Guided by my motto, “Supporting people beyond the flight,” I provides personalized and heartfelt assistance, valuing each person’s past, present, and future.
Even if it feels like a small question, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re always happy to help.
