Real Visa Rejection Stories in Japan (Anonymized)

Visa rejections in Japan are rarely talked about openly. Many foreigners only learn what went wrong after receiving a rejection notice — often without a clear explanation.

This article shares real anonymized visa rejection cases collected from immigration consultations, legal advisors, and long-term residents. Names, companies, and locations have been changed, but the reasons and outcomes are real.

The goal is simple:
👉 Help you avoid the same mistakes.

Case 1: Work Visa Renewal Rejected Due to Job Mismatch

Visa type:
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
（技術・人文知識・国際業務 – gijutsu / jinbun chishiki / kokusai gyōmu）

Background

• Nationality: Southeast Asian

• 4 years in Japan

• Same company for 2 years

• Job title: “Marketing Specialist”

What Went Wrong
Immigration determined that the applicant’s actual duties were:

• Customer support

• Translation

• Sales coordination

These tasks were considered outside the scope of the approved visa category.

Result
❌ Renewal denied
⏳ Given 30 days to prepare departure or change status

Lesson

Job title ≠ job content. Immigration judges the actual daily duties, not what your contract says.

Case 2: Dependent Visa Renewal Rejected Due to Income Shortfall

Visa type:
Dependent
（家族滞在 – kazoku taizai）

Background

• Sponsor: Work visa holder

• Household income: approx. ¥2.9 million/year

• 2 dependents (spouse + child)

• Tokyo rent: ¥110,000/month

What Went Wrong
Immigration calculated:

• Rent + taxes + living costs

• Remaining disposable income was too low

Even though income seemed “average,” it was insufficient for the family size and location.

Result
❌ Renewal denied
✔ Allowed temporary stay during reapplication

Lesson

Income is evaluated per household, not per person — and Tokyo raises the bar.

Case 3: PR Application Rejected After 10 Years in Japan

Visa type:
Permanent Residency
（永住者 – eijūsha）

Background

• 10+ years continuous residence

• Full-time employment

• Married, no children

What Went Wrong

• Late pension payments (国民年金 – kokumin nenkin)

• One year of missed resident tax (住民税 – jūminzei)

• No explanation letter submitted

Result
❌ PR denied
⏳ Reapplication possible after 1 year

Lesson

Length of stay does not override tax or pension compliance.

Case 4: Spouse Visa Rejected Due to Living Arrangement

Visa type:
Spouse of Japanese National
（日本人の配偶者等 – nihonjin no haigūsha tō）

Background

• Married legally

• Separate residences due to work

• No joint lease

• Minimal shared finances

What Went Wrong
Immigration suspected a paper marriage due to:

• Separate addresses

• Limited photos & communication history

• No joint bank account

Result
❌ Initial application denied
✔ Approved after reapplication with evidence

Lesson

Marriage legality alone is not enough — daily life evidence matters.

Case 5: Work Visa Change Denied After Job Switch

Visa type:
Change of Status
（在留資格変更 – zairyū shikaku henkō）

Background

• Changed from IT company to startup

• Startup had only 3 months of operation

• No revenue records

What Went Wrong
Immigration doubted:

• Company stability

• Ability to pay salary long-term

Result
❌ Change of status denied
✔ Applicant stayed under current visa until expiry

Lesson

Employer credibility is as important as your qualifications.

Most Common Visa Rejection Reasons (Summary)

How to Reduce Your Rejection Risk

✅ Match job duties clearly to visa category
✅ Keep 100% clean tax & pension records
✅ Submit an explanation letter (理由書 – riyūsho)
✅ Prepare extra documents, not minimum
✅ Consult before applying, not after rejection

Final Thoughts

Most visa rejections in Japan are preventable.

Immigration decisions are based on:

• Consistency

• Financial stability

• Documentation quality

If your case feels “borderline,” it probably is — and that’s where preparation matters most.

Related Posts:

• How to Renew a Work Visa in Japan (2026 Guide)

• What to Do If Your Visa Renewal Is Rejected in Japan (2026 Guide)

• Can Foreigners Work Freelance in Japan?

• How to Change Jobs on a Work Visa in Japan

• Can You Change Employers Without Changing Your Visa in Japan?

Tools you can use for check:

• Do I Risk Visa Rejection?

• Can I Change Jobs on My Visa?

• Am I Close to Permanent Residency?

• Can I Apply for a Japanese Visa?

• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Points Calculator

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