Note: This article is based on Japanese laws and materials published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) as of October 14, 2026.
The Entertainer visa (興行ビザ; status of residence "Entertainer", 興行) is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals to appear in concerts, plays or sports matches in Japan, or to take part in filming for commercials, films and the like. Not only performers but also staff who support them, such as managers and trainers, are covered.
For staff at companies and organizations that bring foreign nationals to Japan (inviting organizations, 招へい機関), this article explains the conditions under which this status is granted. It also covers the period of stay and the application process.
Contents
- Who is covered by the Entertainer visa
- When the Entertainer visa does not apply
- Requirements for matches and filming
- Requirements for performances (three patterns)
- How long the person can stay in Japan (period of stay)
- Application process and processing time
- Points to note after accepting performers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
- References
Who is covered by the Entertainer visa
The Entertainer visa covers people who appear in performances or matches that audiences watch or listen to, and people who engage in show business activities such as filming and promotion. Staff who support the performers are also covered when they work together with them.
| Who | Examples |
|---|---|
| People who appear in performances | Singers, dancers, actors, musicians, members of an orchestra |
| People who appear in matches, circuses, etc. | Professional baseball or J.League players, professional golfers or boxers, circus performers |
| People who do filming, promotion, etc. | Models for commercials or magazines, cast members or directors of films or TV programs |
| People who do not appear but play a central role | Choreographers, stage directors |
| Staff who support the performers | Managers, lighting technicians, trainers, coaches, camera operators for filming |
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Status of Residence "Entertainer"" (in Japanese); Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines (入国・在留審査要領), Section 17, No. 1, 2 (第1の2) and No. 1, 4 (第1の4)
Because staff are expected to work together with the performers, in principle they cannot remain in Japan on their own after the performers have returned home.
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 2, 2 (第2の2)
When the Entertainer visa does not apply
Even for appearances or filming, depending on the form of the activity, a different status of residence applies instead of the Entertainer visa.
| Case | Status of residence |
|---|---|
| A stage greeting to promote a film | Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) |
| Competing in an international competition such as the Olympics as a national representative | Entry without a visa, or Temporary Visitor (depending on the competition) |
| Receiving remuneration from a company as a player on a corporate sports team (実業団) | Designated Activities (特定活動), in principle |
| Studying under a singer or other artist and only taking lessons | Does not fall under "Entertainer" |
| Running an entertainment business | Business Manager (経営・管理) |
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 2 (第1の2), No. 1, 4 (第1の4) and No. 1, 5 (第1の5)
Players who sign a contract with a professional team and play in its matches fall under the Entertainer visa.
Requirements for matches and filming
For appearing in sports matches or circuses, and for filming commercials, films and the like, the requirement is to receive remuneration equivalent to or greater than that a Japanese national receives for the same work.
The filming may be for content distributed only on the internet. However, coming to Japan to distribute videos on one's own to earn advertising revenue is not covered.
Source: e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search, "Ministerial Order on Criteria" (in Japanese; 基準省令: the Ministry of Justice Order setting the criteria under Article 7, paragraph 1, item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), the "Entertainer" section of Appended Table I(2) of the Act, items 2 and 3; Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 4 (第1の4)
Requirements for performances (three patterns)
When a person appears in performances such as concerts or plays, the case falls into one of three patterns depending on the type of performance and the venue. If Pattern 1 applies, the requirements are the fewest.
| Pattern | Type of performance | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performances organized by the national government or a local government or held at a school; halls with a seating capacity of 100 or more that do not serve food and drinks; performances paying 500,000 yen or more per day with a stay in Japan of no more than 30 days, etc. | There is no requirement on years of experience for the performer or the inviting organization |
| 2 | Performances that do not fall under 1 and whose venue is not a venue operating an amusement business under the Amusement Business Act (Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business; 風営法), such as a cabaret | The inviting organization has an operator or manager with 3 years or more of experience in show business involving foreign nationals, etc. |
| 3 | Performances that fall under neither 1 nor 2 (mainly performances at venues under the Amusement Business Act) | Detailed requirements apply to all of the performer, the inviting organization and the venue |
Source: e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search, "Ministerial Order on Criteria" (in Japanese), the "Entertainer" section of Appended Table I(2) of the Act, item 1
Pattern 1 can be used even by a company inviting foreign nationals for the first time. However, the examination checks whether the performer has the ability to give the performance and whether the costs and schedule are clearly defined.
Pattern 2 can be used even at live music venues (ライブハウス) or restaurants that do not fall under Pattern 1, as long as the inviting organization meets the requirements (having an operator or manager with 3 years or more of experience in show business involving foreign nationals, etc.). The size of the venue and whether food and drinks are served at the seats do not matter.
Under Pattern 3, the performer must have two years or more of study in the relevant field or of experience, the inviting organization must have five or more full-time employees, and the venue must have a stage and a waiting room for performers of a certain size, among other requirements.
For every pattern, the inviting organization submits its certificate of registered matters (登記事項証明書) and financial statements, and the examination checks what kind of company it is.
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 4 (第1の4) and No. 1, 6 (第1の6)
How long the person can stay in Japan (period of stay)
The period of stay is 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months or 30 days, depending on factors such as how long the person will be active in Japan.
| Period of activity | Typical period of stay (guideline) |
|---|---|
| Over 1 year | 3 years |
| Over 6 months but not more than 1 year | 1 year |
| Over 3 months but not more than 6 months | 6 months |
| 3 months or less | 3 months |
| Performance paying 500,000 yen or more per day with a stay in Japan of no more than 30 days | 30 days |
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 7 (第1の7)
For cases such as a company entering into a contract for the first time under Pattern 3, the period of stay may be 3 months even if the activity lasts longer than 3 months. In cases such as when a 30-day period of stay has been granted, an extension is in principle not permitted. It is safer to plan a schedule that finishes within the initial period of stay.
Application process and processing time
When inviting someone from overseas, the inviting organization applies in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE, 在留資格認定証明書).
- Check whether the activity is a performance, a match or filming, and, if it is a performance, which pattern applies
- Prepare the documents (the performer's personal history (経歴書), the performance contract, the inviting organization's certificate of registered matters and financial statements, documents on the venue, the performance schedule, etc.)
- Apply to the Regional Immigration Services Office that has jurisdiction over the location of the inviting organization (online applications are also possible; no fee is charged)
- Send the issued certificate to the performer, who obtains a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate general in their country and then comes to Japan
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Application for Certificate of Eligibility" (in Japanese); Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 6 (第1の6)
The processing time published by the ISA is 15.6 days until issuance of the COE (COEs issued in July 2026). For Pattern 2 applications, a trial has been under way since December 2023 to issue the COE within one month if there are no problems. For a company that has already been approved once under Pattern 2, the time frame is within two weeks (within three weeks if the company's staff have changed since the previous application).
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Processing Time for Residence Examinations" (in Japanese; COEs issued in July 2026), "Amendment of the Ministerial Order on Criteria, etc. for the Status of Residence "Entertainer"" (in Japanese)
Points to note after accepting performers
Performers must not be made to do customer service, serve food and drinks, or do odd jobs at the venue. These are not activities permitted under the Entertainer visa, and if the performer receives remuneration for them, they constitute activities other than those permitted under the status of residence (資格外活動).
| What performers may do | What performers must not do |
|---|---|
| Receive flowers or tips from customers during the performance, right before the show starts or right after it ends | Host customers at their seats (接待) |
| Shake hands or exchange brief greetings | Do customer service, serve food and drinks, or do odd jobs at the venue |
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 4 (第1の4) and No. 2, 1 (第2の1)
If a performer goes missing, you are asked to report it promptly in writing to the Regional Immigration Services Office where you filed the application.
Source: Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines, Section 17, No. 1, 5 (第1の5)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we apply even if the performer does not have a direct contract with a Japanese company?
Yes. For people who belong to an agency or team overseas, the amount of remuneration to be paid to the performer is checked through the contract and other documents. However, Patterns 2 and 3 for performances require a contract with the inviting organization in Japan.
Can we invite performers under 18 years of age?
Yes. In the examination, the consent of the person with parental authority (親権者) is checked as necessary.
Can we apply for a model whose work will be decided after they arrive in Japan?
Yes. Because a model's work is often decided after clients see the model in person, the activities in Japan are checked through a schedule or similar documents.
When a group comes to Japan, how is "500,000 yen or more per day" counted?
It is counted by the total remuneration received by the group as a whole, not per person. "No more than 30 days" is counted not by the number of performance days but by the whole stay, from entry into Japan to departure.
Does "a seating capacity of 100 or more" include standing room?
Yes. It is counted using the capacity of the seating area under the Fire Service Act (消防法): fixed seats are counted by the number of seats, and standing room is calculated at 0.2 m² per person.
If a performer appears at a school festival, does it fall under Pattern 1?
A performance held at school facilities falls under Pattern 1 even if the festival is not organized by the school. Conversely, a performance held at a venue outside the school does not, even if the school organizes it.
May we deduct the performer's meal and accommodation costs from the remuneration?
Under Pattern 3 for performances, the amount to be deducted must be stated in the contract, kept within the actual cost, and agreed to by the performer in advance. When applying, you show the amount and the basis of calculation in documents.
Summary
The Entertainer visa is a status of residence for foreign nationals who come to Japan for performances, matches, filming and similar activities, and for the staff who support the performers. For matches and filming, the requirement is to receive remuneration equivalent to or greater than that of a Japanese national.
Performances by the national government or at schools, performances at large halls and the like fall under Pattern 1. Other performances fall under Pattern 2 if the venue is not a venue under the Amusement Business Act and the inviting organization meets the requirements, and under Pattern 3 if neither applies.
If you are not sure which pattern your performance falls under, or if you are inviting foreign nationals for the first time, our Entertainer visa application support will work with you on everything from checking the requirements to preparing the documents.
References
- e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search, "Ministerial Order on Criteria" (in Japanese; version in effect from April 1, 2026)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Status of Residence "Entertainer"" (in Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Amendment of the Ministerial Order on Criteria, etc. for the Status of Residence "Entertainer"" (in Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Application for Certificate of Eligibility" (in Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Processing Time for Residence Examinations" (in Japanese; COEs issued in July 2026)
- Immigration and Residence Examination Guidelines (入国・在留審査要領), Section 17 "Entertainer"
