Avoiding Suspicion of a Sham Marriage: How Spouse Visa Screening Examines a Genuine Marriage and Key Points of Proof
Introduction
The single most important factor in spouse visa screening is whether the marriage has genuine substance. Even when a couple is married on paper, to prevent a sham marriage that lacks substance, examiners verify the marital relationship from a variety of angles.
This article explains the cases that tend to raise suspicion of a sham marriage, and how to properly prove that your marriage is genuine. It is precisely couples who are sincerely married who benefit from preparation that addresses the key points.
This article is based on publicly available information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Why Substance Is Examined So Strictly
The「Spouse or Child of Japanese National」status carries no employment restrictions and offers a high degree of freedom. For this reason, it carries a risk of being abused through a marriage of convenience aimed at obtaining residence status, so screening verifies the authenticity of the marriage carefully.
A point we hope you will not misunderstand: Even if your situation falls under one of the「cases that tend to raise suspicion」listed below, that alone does not result in a denial. If you explain the circumstances carefully and demonstrate the substance, the application will be approved. Concealment is the most damaging thing you can do.
Cases That Are Said to Raise Suspicion
| Case | Why it draws attention in screening |
|---|---|
| An extremely short courtship | Marrying soon after meeting calls for an explanation of how it came about |
| A large age gap | The naturalness of how you met and dated is checked |
| Difficulty communicating by language | How you communicate is checked |
| A residence pattern with many past sham marriages | Tends to lead to careful screening |
| Little substance of living together | A reasonable explanation for living apart is required |
| Meeting through a marriage broker | An explanation of the circumstances and substance of the relationship is needed |
To repeat, these are not「grounds for denial」but「points that require careful explanation」.
Five Pillars for Proving Substance
1. A Consistent Story from Meeting to Marriage
In the questionnaire, explain the course of meeting, dating, and marriage specifically and in chronological order. It is important that the spouses’ accounts are consistent with each other. For how to write it, please see「How to Write the Spouse Visa Questionnaire」.
2. Photos Showing Dating and Living Together
Photos of the two of you taken at multiple times and places are strong evidence showing the continuity of the relationship. Gather them so that the passage of time is clear, such as the wedding, trips, and daily life.
3. Records of Communication
Exchanges on messaging apps and call histories show that the relationship continued over time. Couples who speak different languages should explain specifically how they communicate with each other.
4. Proof of Living Together
Prepare documents that show the substance of living together, such as being in the same household on the resident record (juminhyo), and the names on the lease or utility bills. If you must live apart for unavoidable reasons (such as a job posting away from home), explain the reason along with the actual state of your contact and visits.
5. Relationships with Those Around You
Introductions to each other’s relatives, the guests at your wedding, and interactions with mutual friends — the fact that your relationship is recognized by those around you also serves as corroboration of its substance.
What to Avoid When Proving Your Case
- 「Embellishing」photos or records (editing or fabricating them to appear closer than you actually are)
- Explanations that conflict between the spouses
- Concealing unfavorable circumstances
If these come to light, trust is lost all at once. An attitude of basing everything on facts — honestly explaining even the unfavorable points and then supplementing them — turns out to be the strongest proof of all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. We are living apart due to a job posting away from home. Will we be denied? A. Living apart for a reasonable reason rarely becomes a problem if you can explain it. Show the actual state of your contact and visits, as well as remittances for living expenses.
Q. We met through a dating app. Is that unfavorable? A. The means of meeting is not itself a problem. What matters is being able to explain naturally how things developed from meeting to marriage.
Q. We have few photos from our courtship. Is that all right? A. When photos are few, supplement them with other materials such as message records and travel history. Rather than relying on a single type of material, it is effective to demonstrate your relationship from multiple angles.
How Our Office Can Help
Even in a sincere marriage, the risk of denial rises if your proof is insufficient. Based on our experience, the Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office advises on how to organize documents that properly convey the substance of your marriage.
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