Cultural Visa ?

Hi people! My first post.. I am very proud.. =)

I have been asked to go to japan and stay with a person there and study martial arts there and at the same time learn more japanese. I would like to work a bit there as well so I can earn money for general expenses.

The problem is that I cant find a way to get a visa since I need a "certificate of elegibility" and a work there etc. etc... I just surfed in on this page and found the "Cultural Visa" in the visa information, does anyone know any more facts about this visa and if it is hard to get? Do I need anything in particular to get it? Any information is appreciated.

Thanks...

- Kristoffer

Greetings and welcome to JREF.

First, have a look at the Japanese Ministry of Justice homepage on visas here. It sounds like you are after the cultural activities visa which is a general visa good for six months to one year.

The catch is, you cannot work on a cultural visa, and you will have to show that you have enough cash to support yourself for the length of your stay. You will not be allowed to work to "earn some money for general expenses."

I copied and pasted the following, again from the MOJ site. These rules are for general cases, but you can assume at this point all of them will apply to you.

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.

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.

Documents certifying the academic career, professional career, and other career regarding the activity of the person concerned.

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

Of course the best thing to do is contact your local Japanese embassy or consulate and ask them directly.

Your certificate of elegibility will come from the martial arts teacher you will study with, so no problem there, but you will need to start saving some cash...

Good luck and enjoy the forum!