Journalist - Required Documents
The Journalist visa status is for news coverage and other journalistic activities conducted based on a contract with a foreign media organization.
| Applicable Activities | News coverage and other journalistic activities conducted based on a contract with a foreign media organization |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months |
Category Classification of Affiliated Organization
The required documents vary depending on the category of the affiliated organization. Please first confirm the applicable category.
Category 1: Cases where the applicant is employed by a foreign media organization that employs staff who have been issued a Foreign Press Registration Card by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Category 2: Organizations or individuals not falling under the above.
Required Documents by Application Type
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Important Notes Before Applying
- Required documents differ depending on the category of the affiliated organization. Please first confirm the Category Classification of Affiliated Organization above.
- For questions about application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant processing delays or denial of permission.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- Submitted documents will not be returned in principle. If you wish to have documents returned, please inform the office at the time of application.
- Additional documents may be requested during the examination process.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
This application is for those who wish to newly enter Japan with the Journalist visa status.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months prior to the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for registered mail (404 yen).
Additional Documents for Category 1
4. Document certifying employment of Foreign Press Registration Card holders
A document certifying that the foreign media organization employing the applicant employs staff who have been issued a Foreign Press Registration Card by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additional Documents for Category 2
5. Documents certifying the details of activities
Whichever of the following applies:
- (1) For those dispatched by a foreign media organization
- A document prepared by the organization certifying the details of activities, period of dispatch, position, and remuneration
- (2) For those employed in Japan by a foreign media organization
- Notification of Working Conditions based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same Act
- (3) For those conducting activities based on a contract other than employment with a foreign media organization (freelancers, etc.)
- A contract related to the said contract. However, if the contract does not include any of the following: details of activities, period, position, or remuneration, a document prepared by the foreign media organization stating such matters
6. Overview materials of the foreign media organization
Materials indicating the overview of the foreign media organization (name of representative, history, organizational structure, facilities, number of employees, track record of reporting, etc.).
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan with a different visa status and wish to change to the Journalist visa status.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
For presentation (if unable to present a passport, a statement of reasons explaining why).
Additional Documents for Category 1
4. Document certifying employment of Foreign Press Registration Card holders
A document certifying that the foreign media organization employing the applicant employs staff who have been issued a Foreign Press Registration Card by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additional Documents for Category 2
5. Documents certifying the details of activities
Whichever of the following applies:
- (1) For those dispatched by a foreign media organization
- A document prepared by the organization certifying the details of activities, period of dispatch, position, and remuneration
- (2) For those employed in Japan by a foreign media organization
- Notification of Working Conditions based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same Act
- (3) For those conducting activities based on a contract other than employment with a foreign media organization (freelancers, etc.)
- A contract related to the said contract. However, if the contract does not include any of the following: details of activities, period, position, or remuneration, a document prepared by the foreign media organization stating such matters
6. Overview materials of the foreign media organization
Materials indicating the overview of the foreign media organization (name of representative, history, organizational structure, facilities, number of employees, track record of reporting, etc.).
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan with the Journalist visa status and wish to extend their period of stay.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Additional Documents for Category 1
4. Copy of Foreign Press Registration Card issued by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Additional Documents for Category 2
5. Certificate of employment
A certificate of employment prepared by the foreign media organization (indicating the name, address, and telephone number of the affiliated organization), or other documents certifying that the applicant continues to conduct activities through dispatch, employment, or contract with the foreign media organization.
6. Certificate of municipal tax assessment (or non-taxation) and certificate of tax payment
Indicating total income and tax payment status for the year. Issued by the ward/city/town/village office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate includes both total income and tax payment status (whether taxes have been paid), only one certificate needs to be submitted.
Additional Documents for First Renewal After Changing Jobs
For those applying for extension of period of stay for the first time after changing jobs, the following documents must also be submitted according to the applicable category.
For Category 1:
7. Document certifying employment of Foreign Press Registration Card holders
A document certifying that the foreign media organization employing the applicant employs staff who have been issued a Foreign Press Registration Card by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For Category 2:
8. Documents certifying the details of activities
Whichever of the following applies:
- (1) For those dispatched by a foreign media organization
- A document prepared by the organization certifying the details of activities, period of dispatch, position, and remuneration
- (2) For those employed in Japan by a foreign media organization
- Notification of Working Conditions based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same Act
- (3) For those conducting activities based on a contract other than employment with a foreign media organization (freelancers, etc.)
- A contract related to the said contract. However, if the contract does not include any of the following: details of activities, period, position, or remuneration, a document prepared by the foreign media organization stating such matters
Reference Links
Need to apply for or change your status of residence in Japan?
Easily create your Japanese status of residence application.