Artist

(Published in November, 2018)

Visa Status called “Artist (芸術 Geijutsu)” (hereafter referred to as “Artist visa“) is applied to those who engage in the artistic activity such as music, fine arts, literature etc. with pay while staying in Japan.

In order to obtain Artist visa, it is required that you have made considerable achievements and results in the field of artistic activities in which you intend to engage in Japan, and you need to prove that you are capable of making a stable living by the artistic activity in Japan.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Regardless of which visa status you will apply for, you need to satisfy the criteria first.
>> BASIC CRITERIA of visa status

You need to satisfy the following items:

1. Your intended activity in Japan must fall under what is allowed under Artist visa status.
2. You have enough career in the field of artistic activities in which you intend to engage in Japan as well as had made considerable achievements and results (experience of winning awards and/or prizes).
3. You are capable of making a stable living by the artistic activity in Japan (approximately JPY 300,000 monthly on average).

Artist visa will not be granted if you cannot prove that you have enough career in the field of artistic activity in which you intend to engage in Japan. Also, you need to provide specific/detailed explanation and proof of both your activity in Japan and your income you will be capable to earn from the activity in Japan.

If you obtain Artist visa status as a freelance without any visa sponsor or contracting organization, you are responsible to pay taxes, national health insurance premium and pension premium in Japan during your stay in Japan. You will need to do annual tax return for your income derived from activity in Japan. Regarding tax matters, we would recommend to consult tax specialists or tax offices directly to know more about the detail of taxes in advance.

PROCEDURES

In case you are currently residing outside Japan yet or you are staying in Japan as a temporary visitor:
>> COE Application

See Also >> Visa Sponsor for Artist visa status

In case you have been in Japan under specific status and holding Residence Card already:
>> Change of Visa Status

BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

You are required to prepare documents which certify that the contents of the application are true and correct. Necessary documents are varied depending on the situation of each applicant and the host organization/company, however, it shall be as follows:

Here’s basic documents the Immigration Office requires;
Necessary documents will be different depending on each case. The immigration office considers your eligibility for the visa status by your situation/career and by documents you provide.

（１）Application Form
（２）Portrait photo (H4cm x W3cm)
（３）at the time of COE application: stamped return envelope for registered mail
（４）at the time of Change application: the original of Passport and Residence Card.
（５）Either one of the following items which prove the applicant’s activity in Japan;

• In case you engage in the activity based on contract with the organization in Japan:
  – Documents to prove your activity in Japan, the period of contract, your position and salary.
• In case you engage in the activity not based on contract with organization in Japan:
  – Documents to prove your activity in Japan, the period and prospect of your income you can earn based on the activity in Japan

（６）Documents to prove your career in the field of artistic activity.

• CV or Resume which shows your history of career in details.
• Either one of the following items which prove your artistic career;
  a．Letter of Recommendation signed by the related organizations.
  b．News and coverage related to the activity in the past.
  c．Documents to prove prizes and awards.
  d．Catalogs and portfolio to prove your career and achievement.
  e．Any documents relating to a – e the above.

PERIOD OF STAY

Each visa status has the expiration date – you can stay in Japan under the visa status during the specific period stated on Residence Card issued by Immigration Office.

Period of stay shall be decided by Immigration Office depends on the applicant’s circumstance, and it shall be either of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. The period of stay is granted by the Immigration Office based on each case and situation.

In case you wish to extend the period of stay granted, you may apply for Extension of Period of Stay before the expiry date.
>> EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY (VISA RENEWAL)

In case you would like to travel outside Japan temporarily under the visa status.
>> Re-Entry Permit