Job Discussion Forums

BigPoppa · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 28

Does it work the same as a student visa, where I get the visa and then ask for permission to work up to 20 hours/week?

Also, is there a minimum amount of time per week/month I need to study? I would like to learn Judo, but my body obviously can't handle as many hours as if I were taking language classes.

Thanks

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/shikakugai.html
This doesn't talk about cultural visa work hours, but I believe this is the permission you need to get. Please confirm this and let us know the situation with hours permitted.

As for how long you must study, I don't think there's a set minimum.
Cultural Visa:Academic or artistic activities that provide no income, activities for the purpose of pursuing specific studies on Japanese culture or arts, or activities for the purpose of learning and acquiring skills in Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts (for example, ikebana, tea ceremony, judo, etc.).http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#b

Documents to be submitted:
1. In cases where the person concerned intends to engage in academic or artistic activities, or to engage in specific studies of Japanese culture or arts, the following materials are required.
a. Documents certifying the activity and its duration of the person concerned, and the outline of the organization where he or she intends to engage in the activity concerned.
b. Documents certifying the academic career, professional career, and other career regarding the activity of the person concerned.
c. Documents certifying that the person concerned can defray all expenses incurred during the stay in Japan.

2. In cases where the person concerned intends to learn Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of an expert, additional materials showing the career and the achievements of the expert, besides the documents mentioned above, are required. http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/05.html

BigPoppa · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 28

Thanks for the links.

Anyone know for sure about the hours of study required to keep visa?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

BigPoppa · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 28

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

I knew a guy doing 3-4 hours a day, and I think he had a student visa. I knew another person who was doing martial arts training, on a cultural visa and he trained a lot in the evenings. The schools usually know the visa requirements. Stop by a Japanese school and they will tell you.