Japan Cultural Activities Visa

The Japan Cultural Activities Visa is for applicants who wish to study Japanese culture, art, or skills. This is a very broad category that could include study of such things as Taiko (Japanese drumming), Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), tea ceremony, judo, aikido, etc.

Cultural Activities is a non-work visa category the proposed activity should be unpaid. However, it is generally possible to for holders of Japan Cultural Activities Visas to obtain special permission to work up to xxx hours per week.

SIX STEPS TO OBTAIN A JAPAN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES VISA

In order to obtain a Japan Cultural Activities Visa to study in Japan, an applicant will need to complete the following six steps:

STEP 1 – Confirm the Proposed Activities in Japan are Consistent with those Permitted for the Holder of a Japan Cultural Activities Visa.

The permitted activities under a Japan Cultural Activities Visa are as follows:

• Academic or artistic activities that provide no income,
• Activities for the purpose of pursuing specific studies of Japanese culture or arts,
• Activities for the purpose of learning and acquiring Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts.

STEP 2 – Assemble the Documents Required to Support a Japan Cultural Activities Visa Application.

Once an applicant has confirmed that her proposed activities in Japan are consistent with those outlined above in Step 1, specific supporting documentation needs to be prepared.

In the case of a Japan Cultural Activities Visa, the authorities require documents that provide details of the following:

1. Where the applicant will engage in academic or artistic activities or study Japanese culture or arts:
   • Documents certifying the activity and its duration and an outline of the organization where the applicant will engage in such activities.
   • Documents certifying the applicant’s career (academic, professional, etc.)
   • Documents certifying that the applicant is able to meet all expenses associated with her stay in Japan.
2. In cases where the applicant intends to learn Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of an expert.
   • The documents listed in 1. above, and
   • Materials showing the career and the achievements of the expert.

STEP 3 – Submit an Application for a Japan Cultural Activities Visa Certificate of Eligibility (“COE”).

Once the applicant’s activities have been confirmed and the appropriate documents assembled per steps 1 and 2 above, the next step in most cases will be to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (abbreviated as “COE”).

A COE is a document issued by the Japanese immigration authorities. It certifies an applicant’s eligibility to undertake specific activities in Japan – in this case, the activities associated with the Japan Cultural Activities Visa application.

An application for a Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE must be submitted in person at a regional immigration office in Japan. The COE application cannot be submitted by mail or at a Japanese embassy outside Japan.

Where the applicant is not personally available (for example because she is not in Japan or due to a busy schedule) Japanese law allows a certified immigration specialist to submit a Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE application on behalf of the applicant.

JAPAN VISA™’s certified immigration specialists are able to handle all the procedures associated with preparing and submitting an application for a Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE.

STEP 4 – Await Approval of the Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE.

The processing time for a Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE is generally four to six weeks.

Once approved, a notice is sent to an address in Japan advising that the COE is ready for collection at the regional immigration office where the COE application was originally submitted.

Where JAPAN VISA™’s certified immigration specialists are handling the Japan Cultural Activities Visa application, the notification from the immigration authorities is sent to our office. JAPAN VISA™ then collects the COE from the regional immigration office and either forwards it to the applicant or prepares a change of status application (see Step 5 below).

STEP 5 – Obtain Japan Cultural Activities Status of Residence (SOR).

Once an applicant has the Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE in hand, the next step is for her to exchange the COE for Japan Cultural Activities “Status of Residence” (usually abbreviated as “SOR”).

Technically speaking, it is the Japan Cultural Activities SOR that will form the basis of the applicant actually living in Japan.

There are two methods for doing this:

Method 1: Exchange the Japan Cultural Activities COE at a Japanese Embassy or Consul Outside Japan.

This is the traditional route for obtaining Japan Cultural Activities SOR.

The applicant first exchanges the Japan Cultural Activities Visa COE for a Japan Cultural Activities Visa at a Japanese embassy or consul outside Japan. The process generally takes two to three business days.

The applicant then travels to Japan and is granted Japan Cultural Activities SOR at the port of entry.

Method 2: Undertake a Change of Status to Japan Cultural Activities SOR in Japan.

In some cases, an alternative may be for the holder of a Japan Cultural Activities COE to enter Japan under the Japan Visa Waiver Program or some other form of short-term entry. The applicant then applies for Japan Cultural Activities SOR via a change of status at a regional immigration office in Japan.

A change of status takes approximately two weeks. During that time, it is not possible for the applicant to travel outside Japan.

Where the change of status route is utilized, JAPAN VISA™’s certified immigration specialists can undertake the necessary procedures at the regional immigration office in Japan.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS AFTER RECEIVING YOUR JAPAN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES VISA

Once an applicant has their Japan Cultural Activities Visa in hand, there are a number of very important issues that need to be considered in order to avoid possible future problems.

• Japan Residence Card

Whether you receive your Japan Cultural Activities SOR at the airport upon entering Japan or via a change of status application filed at a regional immigration office in Japan (see Step 5 above), you will receive a Japan Residence Card.

This is an official identification card that includes an IC chip. The Residence Card contains personal information such as your name, address, birth date, residence status (in this case, Investor SOR), period of stay, etc.

You are required to carry your Residence Card at all times.

• Consider Applying for a Japan Re-Entry Permit.

Up until July 2012, if you held Japan Cultural Activities SOR and wished to temporarily leave Japan (e.g., for vacation, business, etc.) it was necessary to obtain a Re-entry Permit for Japan in advance of travelling.

However, it is now possible to leave Japan for up to 12 months without a Re-Entry Permit.

If there is any possibility that a trip outside Japan will last for more than 12 months, an individual holding Japan Cultural Activities SOR should ensure that they have a Re-entry Permit.

This can be obtained at regional immigration office in Japan.

• Understand Your Tax Obligations

There are at least three important tax issues that need to be considered by anyone holding a Japan Cultural Activities Visa

(i) Japanese Tax for holders of Japan Cultural Activities Visa

People living in Japan under Japan Cultural Activities Visa SOR will typically be working for an institution that handles at least part of their Japan tax matters on their behalf. This is done by way of withholding tax deducted each month and a year-end adjustment as part of the December payroll.

However, if some income is being paid outside Japan, you may need to submit a Japanese individual tax return by 15 March each year. It is very important that you understand your Japan tax obligations since no extensions are available.

Complying with your Japanese tax obligations is essential in order to renew your visa.

This article explains the basics of Tax Planning for Foreigners Working in Japan.

(ii) United States Tax for Holders of Japan Cultural Activities Visa

If the holder of Japan Cultural Activities Visa is a US citizen or green card holder, they will usually continue to have US tax obligations even while living in Japan.

The US rules applicable to Americans living overseas are complex and constantly changing. In order to avoid possible penalties, anyone with a US tax filing obligation should seek specialist advice to ensure that they fulfill their US tax obligations.

(iii) Taxes when the Holder of Japan Cultural Activities Visa Leaves Japan

Prior to leaving Japan, the holder of Japan Cultural Activities Visa is required to fully settle her taxes or appoint a tax agent.

It should also be noted that Japanese local tax is assessed based on where you live on 1 January each year. As a result, departing Japan prior to 1 January may result in significant tax savings.

Contact JAPAN VISA™ to learn how we can assist you to obtain a Japan Cultural Activities Visa.