Frequently Asked Questions about Applying for Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa) in Japan

Question 1

Our church (in Iwate Prefecture) is not yet a religious corporation. We are currently negotiating with the prefectural government to obtain religious corporation (Shukyo Hojin) status. If we are the accepting church for the applicant, can we be recognized as such even if we are not a religious corporation? Or could the fact that we are not a religious corporation prevent the applicant from obtaining a Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa)?

Answer 1

You mention not being a religious corporation, but are you some kind of organization with legal status, such as a general incorporated association? Having legal status is preferable, but even without it, while the difficulty increases, it is not absolutely impossible to apply.

However, the key point of the review will be whether the church has actual operational activities. In that case, the following documents will be required.

Documents prepared by the Japanese host organization

  1. Application Form: Please review the documents we send you and affix your seal or signature.
  2. Church brochure: A document outlining the denomination, history, representative’s name, organization, facilities, number of believers, etc.
  3. Specifically, we will send you a questionnaire, which you must complete.
  4. Multiple photographs of all church facilities
  5. Copy of the sponsor’s identification document (driver’s license or My Number Card)

The Immigration Bureau examiner may request additional documents beyond these.

Question 2

I am considering traveling to Japan on a Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa). I have a religious organization willing to sponsor me. However, would it be possible to continue part-time remote work for my U.S. employer while in Japan, covering living expenses while aiming to obtain permanent residency? I plan to spend most of my time engaged in religious activities during my stay.

Answer 2

For a Religious Activities Visa, you must be dispatched by a religious organization outside Japan and accepted by a religious organization in Japan. While receiving compensation for religious activities is permitted, income from other work is generally not allowed.

Question 3

When a newly established general incorporated association applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa), what documents and preparations are necessary to increase the likelihood of approval for all four applicants simultaneously? Notably, the sending church is large and financially robust.

Answer 3

For a newly established general incorporated association applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa), the necessary elements are: Religious facilities in Japan, funding, the organization’s membership structure, and planned activities.

Regarding the simultaneous application for four individuals: it is important to explain why four people are necessary. If each has a distinct role, you must highlight the specifics of those roles, the required skills, and the individual’s relevant experience overseas.

If the sending church is large and financially robust, it should submit documentation verifying financial contributions (such as remittance records, bank account statements, or opening balance sheets) from the sending church to the Japanese general incorporated association.

Combining these elements may make the application feasible.

Question 4

I am currently residing in Tokyo under a Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa). This visa is valid for three years, and I am currently in my first year of stay in Tokyo. I would like to inquire about the restrictions on language study under this residence status.

Specifically, I wish to confirm whether studying Japanese at a language school at a pace of “4 hours per day, 5 days per week” is permitted within the scope of my current residence status. The purpose of this study is to support service activities and missionary work at the church, intending to improve Japanese language ability as part of religious activities. I would appreciate your guidance on whether such language study is appropriate as an activity under the Religious Activities Visa (Missionary Visa), and if there are any permissible study hours or conditions.

Answer 4

The issue with activities outside the scope of your status of residence typically concerns employment (activities generating income), and learning activities are generally not subject to this restriction. However, this is different if the learning activity exceeds the scope of your primary activity. In such cases, the primary purpose may be deemed “learning,” which could fall outside the scope of your current status of residence.

Regarding the language school schedule of “4 hours per day, 5 days per week,” while the hours are somewhat high, if it can be demonstrated that this does not interfere with the primary activity (religious activities), it should not be an issue at renewal. The key point is how you can objectively demonstrate, using supporting documentation, that you are balancing study and religious activities while maintaining religious activities as the main focus. It would be wise to start compiling activity reports and daily schedules now.

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