Entertainer Visa Application

A. Yes. Our office has experience supporting the invitation of foreign athletes by professional sports teams. We handle sports-specific issues such as reviewing team contracts, aligning compensation requirements, and coordinating with match schedules.

A. Shows at ordinary live houses, concert halls and theatres proceed under Criterion 1 (a) or 1 (b). A performance at a venue carrying on a business under Article 2(1)(1)-(3) of the Entertainment Business Act (a cabaret or club) falls outside Type A, but that does not make it unfilable — it moves to Type C, where the requirements are heavier. Note that Criterion 1 (b)(4) covers venues seating 100 or more that neither sell food and drink in the seating area nor provide hospitality. Where the customer collects a drink at a bar counter and carries it to their seat, or where the price of a drink is included in the admission fee, that is not treated as serving food and drink in the seating area — so a live house with a drink charge can qualify. Tell us the venue type and seating capacity and we will propose which limb to build on.

A. Yes. For events hosted by public institutions or for cultural exchange purposes, Type B applies, with simpler requirements than general performance (Type A). Eligible cases include events hosted by national or local governments, special public corporations (such as NHK), or organizations established with support from the state or similar bodies for the purpose of cultural exchange; theme parks of 100,000 m² or larger; or facilities with 100+ seats that neither sell food and drink in the seating area nor provide hospitality (per Immigration practice).

A. Contracting parties that previously received a Certificate of Eligibility under Entertainer Type A are classified as Category 1, others as Category 2 (per Immigration practice). Category 1 has shorter processing (within 2 weeks under trial operation when there is no executive change) and simplified document submission. Companies that regularly invite performers benefit operationally from maintaining Category 1 status.

A. The first split is whether it is a performance or an artistic activity. Appearing in a fashion show, shown to an audience, is a performance and falls under Criterion 1; shooting an advertisement or commercial photography falls under Criterion 3, which the ordinance describes in terms as activity advertising a product or business and commercial photography. Which limb applies changes with the form of contract, the fee and the period, so it is more practical to consult at the contract draft stage.

A. Sometimes. Criteria 1 (a) and 1 (c) require the activity to be carried out under a contract with a Japanese organisation; Criterion 1 (b) does not. Where the show is at a venue seating 100 or more with no hospitality service, there is room to build the case on 1 (b)(4). A Certificate of Eligibility application still needs a representative in Japan — a member of staff at the receiving organisation, for instance — and that organisation's registry extract, accounts and staff list are among the documents required, so a Japanese host is needed in practice.

A. It depends on the limb. Criterion 1 (a) requires the contracting organisation to have an owner or manager with three years or more of experience in the business of foreign performances, which is hard for a new company. Criterion 1 (b) imposes neither that experience requirement, nor a fee threshold, nor floor-area requirements for the venue. Depending on where and how the performance is held, a new company can work.

A. Filing at the counter can be done by a member of staff at the receiving organisation acting as representative, with no filing-agent qualification needed. Filing online, however, requires that the staff member be approved as a filing agent. Registration, application to use the system and approval have to happen in that order, so it is not something you can decide to use at the last minute. Filing by post is not accepted.

A. It depends on the visa requirements of the destination. In one case we handled, entering Taiwan for a tournament required at least three months remaining on the residence card; that could not be met while the extension was pending, and the trip was abandoned. An application does not extend the card, so where there is an overseas fixture you need to work backwards from it and start early.

A. The document list for an extension includes residence tax certificates, but they cannot be issued when someone has only recently arrived. In that case the fact of payment can be established with pay slips or remittance statements together with bank records. We have handled a case where the player's contract was a quasi-mandate rather than employment, so no pay slips existed, and remittance statements served instead.

A. The basic categorization: Entertainer visa for professional athletes appearing in matches, and Skilled Labor visa for those acting as coaches or trainers. For player-coaches (e.g., playing coaches), the determination is based on the primary activity.