1: Complete Guide to the Entertainer Visa for Promoters and Event Organizers
What is an Entertainer Visa?
When inviting foreign talents, artists, models, or athletes to Japan for performances, filming, or events, an Entertainer Visa is generally required.
If the wrong visa is used, the performer may face deportation, and the promoter or organizer may also be held legally responsible.
Main Categories of Entertainer Visa Activities
- Performances by singers, dancers, actors, or musicians at theaters, halls, or clubs
- Supporting staff such as choreographers, directors, conductors, or trainers
- Commercial promotional activities such as TV commercials, advertising appearances, or photo shoots
- Filming, editing, or appearing in movies, dramas, or television programs
- Professional sports or competitions that attract an audience
Approval Criteria (Three Core Requirements)
- Requirements for the inviting organization:
- A responsible person with at least 3 years of experience in inviting and managing foreign performers
- A stable business and financial foundation
- Requirements for the venue:
- The theater, hall, or club complies with all applicable laws
- If an entertainment business license is required, it must already be obtained
- Requirements for the performer:
- A proven track record and the ability to earn remuneration as a professional
- The contract terms and nature of the performance must be lawful
Practical Checklist for Promoters
□ Do you have a responsible person with 3+ years of experience managing foreign performers?
□ Is the venue legally compliant (entertainment business laws, fire safety, etc.)?
□ Can you provide evidence of the performer’s career and achievements?
□ Are the performance plan and invitation letter consistent?
□ Have you prepared for possible risks such as venue or schedule changes?
□ Have you arranged for tax procedures, including withholding tax and tax representatives?
Key Documents Required (Organizer Side)
- Company registration certificate and articles of incorporation
- Performance plan (list of performers, program, dates, and venues)
- Venue contract and facility outline
- Statement of reasons for invitation
- CV or background of the responsible manager
- Records of past invitations and events
Risks of Non-Compliance
Performer: Deportation, imprisonment of up to 3 years, or a fine of up to 3 million yen
Promoter/Organizer: Charged with facilitating unauthorized employment (same penalties as above)
Venue/Schedule changes: May require resubmission of the application; strict schedule management is critical
Summary
For promoters and event organizers, proper handling of the Entertainer Visa is essential for the success of any event.
Preparation based on practical requirements—such as taxation, venue compliance, and proof of the performer’s track record—is the key to ensuring approval and avoiding costly disruptions.
2: Entertainer Visa FAQ for Performers
When Do You Need an Entertainer Visa?
If you plan to perform in Japan before an audience—whether singing, dancing, acting, playing music, or competing in sports—you will need an Entertainer Visa.
Even unpaid performances require this visa if they are directed to the public.
A1. Yes. Even unpaid performances for the public require an Entertainer Visa.
A3. If the purpose is teaching or creation, the Artist Visa applies. If the purpose is a public performance, the Entertainer Visa is required.
A4. You must provide proof of being a professional, such as overseas performance records, contracts, press coverage, or awards.
A5.
- Copy of passport
- ID photo (4×3 cm)
- Resume (focusing on performance history)
- Contract with management or agency
- Materials from past performances (flyers, magazine articles, etc.)
- Contract showing remuneration
Summary
For performers, the visa is your “passport to the stage.”
By properly organizing your career history and working closely with your promoter, you can ensure smoother approval and avoid last-minute issues.
With over 19 years of experience inviting and managing foreign artists, entertainers, and athletes, I have supported numerous Entertainer Visa applications. Based in Tokyo, I provide nationwide coverage, traveling to venues across Japan to meet with organizers and offering on-site consultations and immigration services related to the Entertainer Visa. I am committed to flexible scheduling and tailored support, ensuring that both promoters and performers can proceed with confidence and peace of mind. Above all, I strictly uphold 100% confidentiality in all matters entrusted to me.
Legal/Accounting Services
(3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities to engage in a legal or accounting business which may lawfully only be carried out by registered foreign lawyers (gaikokuhojimubengoshi), certified public accountants (gaikokukoninkaikeishi) or those with other legal qualifications.
Medical Services
(3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities to engage in medical treatment services which may lawfully only be undertaken by physicians, dentists or those with other legal qualifications.
Researcher
(3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities to engage in research based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan (except for the activities the "Professor”).
Instructor
(3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities to engage in medical treatment services which may lawfully only be undertaken by physicians, dentists or those with other legal qualifications.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
(3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
(Engineer)
Activities to engage in services which require technology and/or knowledge pertinent to physical science, engineering or other natural scientific fields based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan (except for activities the "Professor" section and the "Investor/Business Manager", "Medical Services", "Researcher", "Instructor", "Intra-company Transferee" and "Entertainer" ).
(Specialist in Humanities/International Services)
Activities to engage in services which require knowledge pertinent to jurisprudence, economics, sociology or other human science fields or to engage in services which require specific ways of thinking or sensitivity acquired through experience with foreign culture, based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan (except for activities the "Professor", "Artist" and "Journalist" , and activities the "Business Manager", "Legal/Accounting Services", "Medical Services", "Researcher", "Instructor", "Intra-company Transferee" and "Entertainer" ).
Intra-company Transferee
(3 month, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities on the part of a personnel who is transferred to a business office in Japan for a limited period of time from a business office established in a foreign country by a public or private organization which has a head office, branch office or other business office in Japan, and who engages in the activities listed in the right-hand column of the "Engineer" and "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" sections in this table at this business office.
Skilled Labor
(3 month, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.)
Activities to engage in services which require industrial techniques or skills belonging to special fields based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.
Technical Intern Training
(i) Activities which fall under (a)or(b) (6 month or 1 years.)
(ii) Activities which fall under (a)or(b). (a period not exceeding 1 year determined by the Minister of Justice for the foreign national concerned.).)
(i) Activities which fall under (a) or (b).
(a) Activities by a personnel who works for a business office in a foreign country established by a public or private organization in Japan or by a personnel who works for a business office in a foreign country established by a foreign public or private organization which has a business relationship with a public or private organization in Japan as provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice, the purpose of which is to acquire skill, technology and knowledge(hereinafter referred to as "skills") by engaging in the operational activities of a public or private organization in Japan at its business office in Japan, based on an employment contract with such public or private organization in Japan (including activities of those personnel toward acquiring the knowledge necessary for the relevant activities described above which they are to engage in, which are conducted by being accepted at the business office of the Japanese public or private organization in Japan).
(b) Activities to acquire knowledge being accepted by a non-profit organization which conforms to the requirements provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice and activities to acquire skills where such activities are conducted based on such non-profit organization's planning and under its responsibility and supervision, based on an employment contract with a public or private organization in Japan, by engaging in its operational activities.
(ii) Activities which fall under (a) or (b).
(a) Activities by a personnel, who has acquired skills by engaging in activities as provided in the preceding item (a), in order to further develop such skills, based on an employment contract with a public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice, to engage in operational activities requiring such skills at such organization.
(b) Activities by a personnel, who has acquired skills by engaging in activities as provided in the preceding item (b), in order to further develop such skills, based on an employment contract with a public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice, to engage in operational activities requiring such skills (limited to business activities under the responsibility and control of the non-profit organization which conforms to requirements provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice).