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Work visa · 芸術

Artist visa for Japan (芸術)

For composers, painters, writers and other artists who earn an income from their art in Japan. The law asks for no degree and no set years of experience — you prove your achievements and a real income. How it differs from the Entertainer and Cultural Activities statuses.

Forms and documents

Work visas in Japan

Checked against the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on 28 September 2026

Period of stay5 y · 3 y · 1 y · 3 months

Income from artRequired

Degree or experienceNot required — achievements are

Certificate of EligibilityFree · 1–3 months

Who qualifies

Art that earns an income

By law, Artist covers music, fine art, literature and other arts when they bring an income. ISA gives composers, painters and writers as examples.

Condition 1

You are a professional

There are no landing criteria (上陸基準省令) for this status, but ISA asks for a detailed CV of your artistic career and at least one proof of achievement: a recommendation from a professional body, press coverage, awards and prizes, or a catalog of your works.

Condition 2

Your art pays

You need an income from your art in Japan. With a contract — from a gallery, publisher or other organization — you submit it. Without one, you write yourself what you will do, for how long and how much you expect to earn.

No organization in Japan? Then only you can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility, in person at an immigration bureau — that is, while you are in Japan (or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) for you while you are in Japan). ISA does not accept these applications by mail.

Which status

Artist, Entertainer or Cultural Activities

Three statuses for people in the arts. The line is whether you perform and whether you are paid.

Artist (芸術) Entertainer (興行) Cultural Activities (文化活動)
What you do Create: music, paintings, books Perform, appear on screen, play sport Practice art or study under a master
Income Required Fee under a contract Not allowed without permission
Requirements Proof of achievements Landing criteria: organizer, venue, fee Experience, study plan, money to live on
Period 5 y, 3 y, 1 y or 3 months Up to 3 years Up to 3 years

A composer who writes music to order is Artist. The same composer giving a concert or recording a commercial album needs Entertainer: the law excludes performances from Artist. A painter who studies under a Japanese master and sells nothing needs Cultural Activities.

Forms and documents

Official forms and the documents you need

A short set: the form, your contract or plan, and proof of achievements. Certificates issued in Japan must be no older than 3 months; foreign documents need a Japanese translation.

Two ways to get the status. From abroad, the organization in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) and you then get the visa at a Japanese embassy. Already in Japan on another status — apply for a change of status; you may earn from your art only after approval.

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — you are abroad

A staff member of the organization in Japan you have a contract with, or will work at, files the application. If there is no such organization, only you can file — while you are in Japan — or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) on your behalf, also while you are in Japan. With the CoE you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jpFilled-in examplePDF · moj.go.jpDocument checklistPDF · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for a Certificate of Eligibility 在留資格認定証明書交付申請書
  2. Photo 4 × 3 cm 写真
  3. Return envelope with your address and stamps for registered mail 返信用封筒For paper applications.
  4. What you will do in Japan and how you will earn: a contract or your own plan 申請人の活動の内容等を明らかにする資料With a contract with an organization or person in Japan: a document stating the work, period, your role and pay. Without a contract: write it yourself, in free form — what you will do, for how long and how much you expect to earn.
  5. Detailed CV of your artistic career 芸術上の活動歴を詳細に記載した履歴書
  6. Proof of achievements — at least one: a recommendation from a professional body, press coverage of your work, awards and competition prizes, a catalog of past works or similar 芸術活動上の業績を明らかにする資料（推薦状・報道・入賞実績・作品目録等）Documents in a foreign language need a Japanese translation.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for the address of the organization in Japan, or — if you file yourself — for your future address. Not accepted by mail.
Fee
Free
Standard processing period
1–3 months
Online
Yes, if there is an organization in Japan you work with
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Change of status — you already live in Japan under another status

You file yourself before your current status expires — or an approved staff member of an organization (申請等取次者) or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) files for you. You may earn from your art only once the change is approved.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jpFilled-in examplePDF · moj.go.jpDocument checklistPDF · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for change of status of residence 在留資格変更許可申請書
  2. Photo 4 × 3 cm 写真
  3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
  4. What you will do in Japan and how you will earn: a contract or your own plan 申請人の活動の内容等を明らかにする資料With a contract with an organization or person in Japan: a document stating the work, period, your role and pay. Without a contract: write it yourself, in free form — what you will do, for how long and how much you expect to earn.
  5. Detailed CV of your artistic career 芸術上の活動歴を詳細に記載した履歴書
  6. Proof of achievements — at least one: a recommendation from a professional body, press coverage of your work, awards and competition prizes, a catalog of past works or similar 芸術活動上の業績を明らかにする資料（推薦状・報道・入賞実績・作品目録等）Documents in a foreign language need a Japanese translation.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for your address
Fee
Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table
Standard processing period
1–2 months
Online
Yes: yourself with a My Number card (from age 15), or through an approved staff member of an organization or an administrative scrivener (行政書士)
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

Extension of the Artist status

You file yourself — or an approved staff member of an organization (申請等取次者) or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) files for you. Apply before your period of stay ends; with a period of 6 months or more, from 3 months before it ends. The key is to show that your art still earns you an income.

Application formPDF · moj.go.jpApplication formExcel · moj.go.jpFilled-in examplePDF · moj.go.jpDocument checklistPDF · moj.go.jp

Files open from the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA). Forms are in Japanese and English; links checked 6 Oct 2026.

Documents

  1. Application for extension of period of stay 在留期間更新許可申請書
  2. Photo 4 × 3 cm 写真Not needed when the extension is for 3 months or less.
  3. Passport and residence card — to show パスポート及び在留カード（提示）
  4. What you will do in Japan and how you will earn: a contract or your own plan 申請人の活動の内容等を明らかにする資料With a contract with an organization or person in Japan: a document stating the work, period, your role and pay. Without a contract: write it yourself, in free form — what you will do, for how long and how much you expect to earn.
  5. Resident tax certificates for the year: tax assessment and tax payment 住民税の課税（又は非課税）証明書・納税証明書From the city office where you lived on 1 January. One certificate that shows both the year’s income and tax paid is enough.

Immigration may ask for other documents too. Full list: the ISA checklist above and the status page.

Where to apply
The regional immigration services bureau for your address
Fee
Paid only after approval. Applications received by 30 September 2026: ¥6,000 (online ¥5,500), even if the decision comes later. Received from 1 October 2026: the fee depends on the period granted — from ¥10,000 (up to 3 months) to ¥75,000 (5 years or more); online is cheaper except for periods up to 3 months. It can be higher if a specified residence card (特定在留カード) is issued with the permission. Full fee table
Standard processing period
2 weeks – 1 month
Online
Yes: yourself with a My Number card (from age 15), or through an approved staff member of an organization or an administrative scrivener (行政書士)
Documents for my caseYour list for your category and family — with checkboxes and a PDF

What comes next

Family, side jobs and permanent residency

Family

Your spouse and children whom you support can join you on the Dependent visa (家族滞在). Moving house: register the new address at the city office within 14 days (notifications).

Side jobs

Teaching, café or office work outside your art needs part-time work permission (資格外活動許可). Selling your works and fees for books or music need none.

Extension and PR

You can extend as long as your art earns an income — ISA checks your tax certificates. Artist is a work status: its years count toward permanent residency (usually 10 years in Japan, 5 on a work status). A revised PR guideline applies to applications from 1 April 2027: Japanese at CEFR B1 is a factor taken into account (not a strict requirement); Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) holders and their families and people with 6+ years of schooling in Japan are exempt.

FAQ

Artist visa questions

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Who is the Artist visa for?

People who earn an income from art: music, fine art, literature and other arts. ISA gives composers, painters and writers as examples. Stage performances, filming and sport fall under a different status, Entertainer (興行).

No. Without a contract you write a free-form statement: what you will do, for how long and how much you expect to earn. But without an organization in Japan, the CoE application can only be filed while you are in Japan.

You need a detailed CV and at least one proof of achievement: a recommendation from a professional body, press coverage, awards and competition prizes, a catalog of works. The law does not require a degree or a set number of years of experience.

Composing music is Artist (芸術). Giving concerts, performing on stage or recording commercial albums and videos is Entertainer (興行): the law expressly excludes performances from the Artist status.

Income. Artist (芸術) is art that earns money. If you practice art or study under a Japanese master without earning, the Cultural Activities status (文化活動) fits.

Only with permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可). Your main activity — selling paintings, fees for books or music — needs no permission.

Yes. Your spouse and children whom you support can get the Dependent status (家族滞在). With part-time work permission they can work up to 28 hours a week.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. You can extend it as long as your art earns you an income. Years on the Artist status count toward permanent residency as years on a work status.

Sources

Where this information comes from

Facts and document lists were checked against the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) on 28 September 2026. Form links come from a register of ISA files that our server refreshes every week: when ISA publishes a new version of a form, the button opens the new file.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration decides each application and may ask for more documents. Where a rule is known only from practice, we say so.

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