Question about staying in Japan

[japanville jojo]

My legal statist expires in April of next year.
I'm a long time resident here.
My current marriage is 4 years long.
Do I need my wife to sponsor me or can I just go to the immigration office and do all the paper work myself and not need my wife as a sponsor ?
Sadly, my income is not very much. I get USA Social Security and Japanese Kokumin pension which I've stated before is about 34000 yen every two months, yes, I know its hard to believe, but true. I just got my new statement the other day. Not sure how to post a copy of it here.
There's a bit more with this question, but I'd like to find out about the above first.

Thank you.

[RetireJapan]

Depends on what kind of visa/status of residence you have and are planning to apply for.

[japanville jojo]

I guess it would be the one I have currently. A spouse visa married to a Japanese national. I have a permanent resident statist .

[mighty58]

I guess it would be the one I have currently. A spouse visa married to a Japanese national. I have a permanent resident statist .

A spouse visa and permanent residency are mutually exclusive... you can't have both at the same time. If you've been here long enough to qualify for permanent residency I would suggest you apply for it, it will make life a bit easier in the future.

[JapaneseMike]

I guess it would be the one I have currently. A spouse visa married to a Japanese national. I have a permanent resident statist .

So, if i'm reading the above right and you already have PR status, then maybe just your zairyu-card is expiring next year? In which case all you do is go get your card renewed (+ new picture). This is relatively easily done.

[Moneymatters]

I guess it would be the one I have currently. A spouse visa married to a Japanese national. I have a permanent resident statist .

So, if i'm reading the above right and you already have PR status, then maybe just your zairyu-card is expiring next year? In which case all you do is go get your card renewed (+ new picture). This is relatively easily done.

Just remember to also take your passport with you!

[adamu]

A spouse visa married to a Japanese national. I have a permanent resident statist .

For the avoidance of doubt, what is written on your residence card next to "STATUS"?

Also, what are the following:

1) Date of expiration
2) Period of validity of this card

[Butterball]

Yeah, you can’t have both PR and a spousal visa.
Perhaps you mean that you are a resident for tax purposes? Be careful you’re not confusing that with your immigration status.

If you are on a spousal visa, I’d recommend applying for PR. Being a long-time resident and married to a Japanese national for 4 years, you should qualify. The problem with a spousal visa is it becomes invalid upon divorce or the death of your spouse.

[japanville jojo]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I do have Permanent Resident card in good standing. I went to the immigration office last Friday and asked about my status concerning my income and where or not I needed my wife to sponsor me. The looked at my PR card and said I don't need a sponsor, so I'm fine on that and I explained about my income, said he sees no problem on that either.
Yes a picture and Passport I have to bring along with the paper he gave me to fill out. So it seems like I good on this. No police record either.

Again, thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

[RetireJapan]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I do have Permanent Resident card in good standing. I went to the immigration office last Friday and asked about my status concerning my income and where or not I needed my wife to sponsor me. The looked at my PR card and said I don't need a sponsor, so I'm fine on that and I explained about my income, said he sees no problem on that either.
Yes a picture and Passport I have to bring along with the paper he gave me to fill out. So it seems like I good on this. No police record either.

Again, thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

If you have permanent residency and are just renewing your card, it is a bureacratic formality. You are not applying for anything, just getting a new card. Your status is unchanged.

Nothing to worry about.