Do Unpaid Appearances Require Japan’s Entertainer (Kogyo) Visa? | Japan Immigration Support for HR

We are increasingly asked, “Is the Entertainer Visa required even if the appearance is unpaid?” Below, an administrative scrivener explains in detail how activity content—rather than remuneration—determines the appropriate status of residence, and when an Entertainer Visa is still required.

1. “No pay means no Entertainer Visa” is a misconception

When a foreign national engages in activities in Japan, an appropriate status of residence (visa) is required regardless of whether remuneration is paid. For activities that fall under “entertainment,” there are many cases where an Entertainer Visa is required even if the appearance is unpaid, so caution is advised.

The Immigration Services Agency focuses more on the nature of the activity and its public/ societal character in Japan than on whether remuneration is paid.

2. What is the Entertainer (Kogyo) Visa? Activities covered

The Entertainer Visa is required for foreign nationals engaging in activities such as:

In short, activities involving performances or presentations before an unspecified general audience are covered.

3. Why unpaid activities can still require the Entertainer Visa

Assuming that “unpaid means no Entertainer Visa is needed” carries significant risk in practice.

In fact, the following unpaid activities may still be deemed to require an Entertainer Visa:

→ → Because the performance is provided before an unspecified audience, this may be treated as an “entertainment” activity and require an Entertainer Visa.

→ → If the event is open to the public or held for commercial purposes, it may fall under the Entertainer Visa.

→ → Even at a friend’s request, if the event is held at a commercial venue or event space, it is likely to be regarded as “entertainment,” and obtaining an Entertainer Visa is advisable.

4. What counts as “income-bearing activity” under the Immigration Control Act

Under the Act, an activity is considered income-bearing if services are provided in Japan and consideration is received in return—regardless of whether the paying entity is located inside or outside Japan.

However, when a person briefly performs a subsidiary activity in Japan that is ancillary to their principal work carried out overseas, and remuneration is paid by a foreign entity, this is not regarded as an income-bearing activity.

Examples of such subsidiary activities include: installation of machinery exported to Japan, after-sales maintenance following export, and intercompany meetings related to work conducted abroad.

Conversely, if a person operates a business activity involving monetary transactions within Japan, this constitutes “operating an income-bearing business.”

That said, if a person whose principal duties are abroad briefly engages in subsidiary activities in Japan due to special circumstances, it is not considered operating an income-bearing business. For example: a director of a foreign parent company concurrently serving (without pay) as a representative director of its Japanese subsidiary who visits Japan briefly for major negotiations.

These determinations are complex and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the activity is income-bearing, an Entertainer Visa is required even for a one-day stay or a modest fee.

We sometimes see invitations under Short-Term Stay on the assumption that “it’s only 1–2 days and the fee is small,” which can cause problems at a subsequent entry. For recognizable artists, online traces make it easy to confirm when and where they performed.

5. What does immigration emphasize?

Immigration assesses whether the activity requires an Entertainer Visa by considering the following factors holistically:

Accordingly, even without payment, the fact of performing before the public is crucial and heavily influences the permission decision.

When applying for an Entertainer Visa, the following documents and explanations may be required even for unpaid appearances:

Unpaid does not mean the procedure can be simplified; accurate, detailed explanation of the activity is often necessary.

6. Summary: Entertainer Visa for unpaid appearances

Even unpaid appearances may still constitute activities requiring an Entertainer Visa depending on the nature of the activity; otherwise, there is a risk of visa non-compliance.

To mitigate risk and proceed with confidence, our specialists provide careful, end-to-end support.

“We’re not sure whether our activity requires a visa.”
“The event is imminent and we’re concerned about timing.”

Please consult a visa specialist as early as possible. We have extensive experience with urgent and short-notice cases.

For details of our Entertainer Visa services, see the page below.

Entertainer (Kogyo) Visa Application

This status of residence is required when foreign models, singers, actors/actresses, dancers, artists, and professional athletes engage in concerts, events, and other entertainment activities in Japan.