Cultural activity visa

What is cultural activity visa?

A cultural activity visa is a visa related to academic or artistic activities that do not involve income, or activities that involve conducting specialized research or receiving guidance from experts to acquire knowledge about culture or arts unique to Japan.

Requirements for obtaining cultural activity visas

1. A professor of a foreign university, an associate professor, a lecturer and others who do research and research without earning income in Japan
2. Those who are dispatched from a foreign research institution or other public or private institution and conduct research research without earning income in Japan
3. Those who intend to study specialty culture, arts unique to Japan such as flowers, tea ceremony and judo
4. A person who tries to acquire this by receiving personal guidance from experts in culture unique to Japan

Cultural activities Visa application notice

In order to obtain a cultural activity visa, it is difficult to obtain a visa unless you sufficiently prove in writing that you meet the above requirements.
For foreign visitors residing in Japan, in principle, the applicant himself must visit the regional immigration bureau (immigration office, branch office, branch office), etc. and submit documents such as application etc. Hmm.

Application flow

1. Prepare application documents and other necessary documents.

1. ① Application documents and attached documents
2. ② Picture (Vertical 4 cm × Width 3 cm) 1 Leaves
   　　※ Captured from the front within 3 months before application, sharp with no background.
   　　Please describe the name of the applicant on the back of the photo and paste it in the photo column of the application form.
3. ③ Other
   

   [Application for Certificate of Eligibility]

   • ・ Response envelope (one with a 392 yen postage stamp (for simple registered mail) after stating the address on a standard envelope)

   【Application for permission to change status of residence and application for renewal of period of stay】

   • · Present passport and residence card
   • · Postcard (write address and name)

2. Apply to the Immigration Bureau

Submit the above documents.

3. Notification of results

An envelope or postcard delivered to the Immigration Bureau at the time of application will receive notification of the result.

4. Procedures at the Immigration Bureau

[Application for Certificate of Eligibility]

You do not need.

【Application for permission to change status of residence and application for renewal of period of stay】

Go to Immigration Bureau, purchase revenue stamps and sign a receipt.

Cultural activities Visa category

Cultural activity visa has 2 category of categories.
The type of attached document differs depending on the category.

"Category 1"

If either of the following applies

• ・When attempting to engage in academic or artistic activities that do not involve income
• ・If you wish to conduct specialized research on culture and art unique to Japan

"Category 2"

If you are trying to acquire culture and art unique to Japan with the guidance of an expert

Attachment documents necessary for application

[Application for Certificate of Eligibility]

"Category 1"

1. Materials clarifying the content and period of specific activities in Japan and the outline of the organization that intends to carry out the activities.

1. ① Documents to clarify activities in Japan and the period created by the applicant or the host institution 1
2. ② Materials that clarify the outline of the institution the applicant intends to conduct the activity (pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate

2. Materials that reveal academic or artistic achievements in any of the following ways:

1. ① Recommendation letters from relevant organizations 1
2. ② Report on past activities appropriate
3. ③ Results of winning, winning etc. Appropriate
4. ④ Catalog of past papers, works, etc.
5. ⑤ Documents conforming to the above ① to ④ as appropriate

3. Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses when residing in Japan

1. ① If the applicant pays the expenses himself/herself, one of the following materials:
   
   • ・One certificate regarding scholarship payment clearly indicating the amount and period of payment
   • ・Certificate of bank balance in the applicant's name as appropriate
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate
2. ② If the expenses are paid by someone other than the applicant, the following documents related to the person who will pay the expenses:
   
   • ・One copy each of resident tax taxation (exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate (one year's total income and tax payment status are listed)
   • ・If the financial supporter is located in a foreign country, a certificate of deposit balance at a bank, etc. in the name of the financial supporter, as appropriate.
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate

"Category 2"

1. Materials clarifying the content and period of specific activities in Japan and the outline of the organization that intends to carry out the activities.

1. ① A document clarifying the content of activities in Japan and the period created by the applicant or the host institution
2. ② Materials that clarify the outline of the institution the applicant intends to conduct the activity (pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate

2. Materials that reveal academic or artistic achievements in any of the following ways:

1. ① Recommendation letters from relevant organizations 1
2. ② Report on past activities appropriate
3. ③ Results of winning, winning etc. Appropriate
4. ④ Catalog of past papers, works, etc.
5. ⑤ Documents conforming to the above ① to ④ as appropriate

3. Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses when residing in Japan

1. ① If the applicant pays the expenses himself/herself, one of the following materials:
   
   • ・Certificate regarding scholarship payment specifying the amount and period of payment 1 copy
   • · Deposit balance certificate at the bank etc in the applicant's name as appropriate
   • - Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate ② If the expenses are paid by someone other than the applicant, the following documents related to the person who will pay the expenses:
   • · Tax (tax exempt) certificate of residence tax and tax payment certificate (1 annual total income and taxation status are stated) Each 1 Tax
   • · If the expensing sponsor is in a foreign country, deposit balance certificate at the bank etc. in the name of the supporter
   • · Documents conforming to the above 2 type as appropriate

4. Any of the following materials that clarify the career and achievements of the expert:

1. ① Copy of license etc. 1
2. ② Papers, work collections etc. as appropriate
3. ③ 1 resume

【Application for permission to change status of residence】

"Category 1"

1. Materials clarifying the content and period of specific activities in Japan and the outline of the organization that intends to carry out the activities.

1. ① Documents to clarify activities in Japan and the period created by the applicant or the host institution 1
2. ② Materials that clarify the outline of the institution the applicant intends to conduct the activity (pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate

2. Materials that reveal academic or artistic achievements in any of the following ways:

1. ① Recommendation letters from relevant organizations 1
2. ② Report on past activities appropriate
3. ③ Results of winning, winning etc. Appropriate
4. ④ Catalog of past papers, works, etc.
5. ⑤ Documents conforming to the above ① to ④ as appropriate

3. Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses when residing in Japan

1. ① If the applicant pays the expenses himself/herself, one of the following materials:
   
   • ・One certificate regarding scholarship payment clearly indicating the amount and period of payment
   • ・Certificate of bank balance in the applicant's name as appropriate
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate
2. ② If the expenses are paid by someone other than the applicant, the following documents related to the person who will pay the expenses:
   
   • ・One copy each of resident tax taxation (exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate (one year's total income and tax payment status are listed)
   • ・If the financial supporter is located in a foreign country, a certificate of deposit balance at a bank, etc. in the name of the financial supporter, as appropriate.
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate

"Category 2"

1. Materials clarifying the content and period of specific activities in Japan and the outline of the organization that intends to carry out the activities.

1. ① A document clarifying the content of activities in Japan and the period created by the applicant or the host institution
2. ② Materials that clarify the outline of the institution the applicant intends to conduct the activity (pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate

2. Materials that reveal academic or artistic achievements in any of the following ways:

1. ① Recommendation letters from relevant organizations 1
2. ② Report on past activities appropriate
3. ③ Results of winning, winning etc. Appropriate
4. ④ Catalog of past papers, works, etc.
5. ⑤ Documents conforming to the above ① to ④ as appropriate

3. Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses when residing in Japan

1. ① If the applicant pays the expenses himself/herself, one of the following materials:
   
   • ・One certificate regarding scholarship payment clearly indicating the amount and period of payment
   • ・Certificate of bank balance in the applicant's name as appropriate
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate
2. ② If the expenses are paid by someone other than the applicant, the following documents related to the person who will pay the expenses:
   
   • ・One copy each of resident tax taxation (exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate (one year's total income and tax payment status are listed)
   • ・If the financial supporter is located in a foreign country, a certificate of deposit balance at a bank, etc. in the name of the financial supporter, as appropriate.
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate

4. Any of the following materials that clarify the career and achievements of the expert:

1. ① Copy of license etc. 1
2. ② Papers, work collections etc. as appropriate
3. ③ 1 resume

【Application for extension period application period】

Common to "Category 1" and "Category 2"

1. Materials clarifying the content and period of specific activities in Japan and the outline of the organization that intends to carry out the activities.

1. ① A document clarifying the content of activities in Japan and the period created by the applicant or the host institution
2. ② Materials that clarify the outline of the institution the applicant intends to conduct the activity (pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate

2. Document proving the applicant's ability to pay expenses when residing in Japan

1. ① If the applicant pays the expenses himself/herself, one of the following materials:
   
   • ・One certificate regarding scholarship payment clearly indicating the amount and period of payment
   • ・Certificate of bank balance in the applicant's name as appropriate
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate
2. ② If the expenses are paid by someone other than the applicant, the following documents related to the person who will pay the expenses:
   
   • ・One copy each of resident tax taxation (exemption) certificate and tax payment certificate (one year's total income and tax payment status are listed)
   • ・If the financial supporter is located in a foreign country, a certificate of deposit balance at a bank, etc. in the name of the financial supporter, as appropriate.
   • ・Documents equivalent to the above two types as appropriate

Points to note when preparing application documents

1. All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months from the date of issue.
2. If the documents to be submitted are in a foreign language, please attach a translation.