Status of Residence: “Artist”

This status of residence was established to promote international exchange in the arts and to accept musicians, writers, and others in order to improve and develop this field in Japan.

Scope of the “Artist” status of residence

The lower column of the “Artist” section of the Immigration Control Act Appended Table 1-1 stipulates the following activities that can be undertaken in Japan.

Artistic activities such as music, fine arts, literature, etc. that involve income (excluding the activities listed in the lower column of the “Entertainer” section of Table 2)

Specifically, the following types of artistic activities involving income are covered.

However, artistic activities that are performed as a form of entertainment with the aim of earning income by showing entertainment to the public do not fall under this category.

  1. Artists such as composers, lyricists, painters, sculptors, craftspeople, writers, and photographers who engage in creative activities
  2. Those who provide guidance on music, art, literature, photography, theater, dance, film, and other artistic activities

Points to consider when assessing the “Artist” residency status

When determining the residency status (At the time of new application)

  1. The purpose of entry or desired residency status on the application form must be “Artist”. In addition, the activities and achievements of the applicant must be consistent with the “Artist” residency status, based on the activities section, career section and supporting documents.
  2. According to the monthly remuneration column on the application form and the supporting documents, the remuneration for the period the applicant plans to work in Japan is sufficient for activities under the “Artist” status of residence.

* If the applicant does not belong to or have a contract with an organization, the “For Organization” to Fill in section of the application form should be completed by the applicant (the same applies when renewing the period of stay).

When renewing the period of stay (Visa Extension)

  1. The activities that the applicant intends to engage in must continue to fall under the status of residence of “Artist” based on the contents of the activities, career, and supporting documents in the application form.
  2. The monthly remuneration column on the application form, as well as the certificate of residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) and tax payment certificate, must show that the remuneration for the period during which the applicant plans to work in Japan is sufficient for activities under the “Artist” status of residence.

Notes on the “Artist” status of residence

The applicant must have a substantial track record as an artist or artistic activity instructor, etc., and be recognized as being able to make a stable living in Japan by engaging in artistic activities.

It is necessary to be recognized as being able to make a stable living in Japan through artistic activities alone. Being able to make a stable living means being able to earn an income that will enable you to lead a social life in Japan, as well as to engage in artistic activities.

“Research guidance or educational activities” in the arts at universities, etc., fall under the status of residence “Professor” (教授).

Even if the artistic activity is accompanied by income, if the activity falls under the status of residence of “Entertainer”, the status of residence of “Entertainer” (興行) will be decided. For example, even if the activity is artistic, such as conducting an orchestra in the form of an entertainment, it will fall under the status of residence of “Entertainer” rather than the status of residence of “Artist”.

In addition, those who engage in activities related to entertainment and who enter and reside in Japan without accompanying foreigners engaged in entertainment activities and engage in activities that fall under the category of art, such as directors, choreographers, and scriptwriters who enter and reside independently, fall under the status of residence of “Artist”.

Artistic activities that do not involve income fall under the status of residence of “Cultural Activities” (文化活動).

Period of stay for the “Artist” status of residence

5 years

Applicable to those who meet all of the following conditions;

  1. Those who have fulfilled their notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act (notification of place of residence, notification of change of place of residence, etc.) (this does not apply when determining the period of stay upon landing)
  2. For parents with school-age children (during the period of compulsory education), the children must be attending elementary school or junior high school (including so-called international schools, etc.) (this does not apply when determining the period of stay upon landing)
  3. Those with a track record of outstanding achievements or those whose works have won prestigious awards
  4. Those whose planned period of stay exceeds 3 years

3 years

  1. Those who fall under all of the following;
    • Those who fall under all of 1), 2) and 3) of “5 years
    • Those whose planned period of employment is more than 1 year but less than 3 years
  2. Those who have been granted a period of stay of 5 years and who fall under all of the following when renewing their period of stay
    • Those who do not fall under either 1) or 2) of “5 years
    • Those whose planned period of activity exceeds 1 year
  3. Those who do not fall under either ‘5 years’, ‘1 year’ or ‘3 months’.

1 year

Those who fall under any of the following;

  1. Those who were granted a period of stay of 3 years and do not fall under either 1) or 2) of ’5 years” when renewing their period of stay
  2. Those whose status of residence needs to be confirmed once a year due to their professional position, activity record, or the activity record of the organization to which they belong
  3. Those whose planned period of activity is one year or less

3 months

Those whose planned period of activity is three months or less.

*1: If the applicant has not fulfilled their various public obligations, including tax payments, the possibility of residence and the period of residence if permission is granted will be considered in light of the nature of the failure to fulfill these obligations.

*2: If the applicant has received a criminal punishment, the possibility of residence and the period of residence if permission is granted will be considered in light of the nature of the crime and the content of the criminal punishment.