The ”Cultural Activities” visa in Japan is a type of status of residence for foreign individuals to engage in culture and arts unique to Japan for research, academic, or training purposes for no pay. If you are seriously interested in pursuing a Japanese cultural activity, please refer to this article that introduces the “Cultural Activities” visa and its conditions.
First Published: 2021-12-13
Updated: 2023-11-27
Table of Contents
- What is the “Cultural Activities” Visa in Japan?
- What activities are permitted under the “Cultural Activities” Visa?
- The 2 Types of “Cultural Activities” Visa, and How to Apply for Them
- Can you work part time on a Japan “Cultural Activities” Visa?
What is the “Cultural Activities” Visa in Japan?
The ”Cultural Activities” visa in Japan is a type of status of residence allowing individuals to engage in culture and arts unique to Japan (Japanese cultural activities) for academic studies, research, or training purposes. It is called “文化活動 (Bunka Katsudou) ビザ (Biza)” in Japanese - 文化 (Bunka) meaning culture, and 活動 (Katsudou) meaning activity.
“Cultural Activities” visa-holders cannot earn remuneration or pay for their cultural activities. Therefore, it is important to have sufficient funds prepared to support the duration of your stay in Japan - this needs to be demonstrated in order to successfully obtain the visa. The period of stay for a “Cultural Activities” visa may be 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or 3 months, as determined by the Immigration Office.
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What activities are permitted under the “Cultural Activities” Visa?
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the activities permitted under the “Cultural Activities” Visa are:
- Academic or artistic activities that do not involve income.
- Activities that involve conducting specialized research on culture or arts unique to Japan.
- Acquiring culture or skills unique to Japan under the guidance of experts, but excluding activities covered under “Study Abroad (留学)” and “Training (研修)” visas.
What is “Academic or Artistic Activities that Do Not Involve Income”?
For example unpaid surveys or research conducted by visiting professors and experts, unpaid internships or practical training, and unpaid academic research and studies by visiting students.
What is considered “Culture and Arts Unique to Japan”?
There are many cultural activities that are unique to Japan including ikebana (flower arrangement), sado (tea ceremony), kado (calligraphy), Japanese performing arts like dance, music and theater, traditional architecture, traditional cuisine, Japanese art, and even sports like martial arts and sumo. There are also culture and arts that, though not unique to Japan, play a large enough role in the world to be included, like Zen Buddhism.
Who is considered an “Expert”?
Someone who has the license, qualification, or certification in the field, and also has experience teaching and guiding others in the said field.
The 2 Categories of “Cultural Activities” Visa, and How to Apply for Them
The permitted activities under the “Cultural Activities” Visa can be separated into 2 categories, depending on whether there is “guidance from an expert” involved. If there is “guidance from an expert”, then additional documents from the experts need to be submitted together with the visa application.
How to Apply for a “Cultural Activities” Visa
These application documents are required by both categories.
- Application Form for Certificate of Eligibility
- One Applicant’s Photograph (3 cm x 4 cm)
- One Standard Return Envelope with applicant’s address written and 434 Yen stamp affixed.
- Copy of document and materials clarifying the Details and Period of Activity in Japan and outline of the organisation to carry out these activities.
- Any one of the following materials that reveals Applicant’s Academic or Artistic Achievements - Letter of Recommendation from a related organisation, Reports on past activities, Prize Achievements etc., Portfolio, Other Suitable Document.
- Documents Proving Applicant’s Ability to Pay Expenses when residing in Japan - (1) If self-funded, then Certificate of Bank’s Deposit Balance in applicant’s name. (2) If local resident sponsor, then Copy of Residence Tax Certificate and Tax Payment Certificate as of January of the year. If overseas sponsor, then Certificate of Bank’s Deposit Balance in the sponsor’s name.
These additional documents are required for “Cultural Activities” Visa Category 2 that has “guidance from an expert”.
- Copy of Expert’s License/Qualification/Certification
- Copy of Expert’s Resume
- Document or material showing Expert’s Work
※ MOJ ISA, “在留資格「文化活動」”
Can you work part time on a Japan “Cultural Activities” Visa?
The general rule is that “Cultural Activities” Visa-holders cannot earn income or salary in Japan.
However, though very difficult, it is possible to work a part-time job by obtaining a “permission to engage in other activities other than that permitted under status of residence”, aka 資格外活動許可 (Shikakugai Katsudou Kyoka). This is the same permission granted to international students to allow them to work part-time jobs while studying in Japan.
For international students, obtaining permission is a simple matter that can even be done upon arrival at the airport. After obtaining the permission, international students can search and apply for part-time jobs at their convenience provided they follow the rules. However, this is not the case for “Cultural Activities” visa-holders.
For “Cultural Activities” visa-holders, specific information about the part-time job including job details, work place, working hours, etc. needs to be submitted when applying for the “permission to engage in other activities other than that permitted under status of residence”. The permission may or may not be granted depending on the job. And, if granted, the permission will be specifically for that job only, which means if you want to switch jobs or quit the job, you must re-apply for the permission again. It is not an easy process. Therefore, make sure you have enough funds to cover your entire stay in Japan.
To Close
Japan’s “Cultural Activities” Visa is suitable for those who are strongly interested in pursuing in-depth studies, research and training in a Japan cultural activity. If you do not fit the criteria for this visa type, do not worry as there are other options available as well. You could visit as a tourist and participate in cultural experiences, or experience them while studying abroad in Japan, or even join a cultural exchange programme.
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