VISA..dont the research now need advice:)

[supastar]

Sooooo originally I planned to visit different parts of japan over the next few months and then head on to europe and do the same....now that i'm in japan I really love it and want to stay. I have a 2 yr of edu at a conservatory 1 1/2 at a traditional uni and 8 years experience working the entertainment field. Can I count the productions, contests/competitions that took place in hs? that would give me a full 10 years of experience.
would this really be enough to get an entertainment visa? or can i just go to an agency with all my stuff and ask for sponsorship?
I was also thinking of taking a martial art seeing as I am certified in stunt training and would like to enhance it....would this fall under humanities?
let me know when you can thanks:)

[FG Lurker]

Where are you from? Would you qualify for a Working Holiday Visa? That would be the easiest way.

[Taro Toporific]

... I have a 2 yr of edu at a conservatory 1 1/2 at a traditional uni and 8 years experience working the entertainment field. Can I count the productions, contests/competitions that took place in hs? that would give me a full 10 years of experience would this really be enough to get an entertainment visa?

No likely, unless you won the Van Cliburn Award.

or can i just go to an agency with all my stuff and ask for sponsorship?

If you were signing with a MAJOR agency as a "supastar" you might get Immigration to cut you some slack because of your age if for example you are Hanna Montana or Justin Bieber.

I was also thinking of taking a martial art seeing as I am certified in stunt training and would like to enhance it....would this fall under humanities?
let me know when you can thanks:)

That's a good question. Japan used to be quite willing to issue Humanities visa for studying the martial arts, but recently Immigration only seems to give such visas for people studying at officially-sanctioned Japanese Language Schools.

Has anybody out there heard of Humanities visa being issued for the martial arts or underwater Japanese basket weaving in past year?
(My impression is that type of visa has dried up.)

[FG Lurker]

That's a good question. Japan used to be quite willing to issue Humanities visa for studying the martial arts, but recently Immigration only seems to give such visas for people studying at officially-sanctioned Japanese Language Schools.

I thought the language schools got "student visas" (was called a "Pre-college Visa" when I had one) and martial arts/basket weaving etc got "Cultural Visas". I know it was tough to get a "pre-college visa" when I went through it in '96, had to prove I had funds to support myself and had to get a guarantor who also had to show proof of funds, etc etc. Was a bunch of paperwork. No idea how much easier/harder a Cultural Visa was or would be.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I thought the language schools got "student visas" (was called a "Pre-college Visa" when I had one) and martial arts/basket weaving etc got "Cultural Visas". I know it was tough to get a "pre-college visa" when I went through it in '96, had to prove I had funds to support myself and had to get a guarantor who also had to show proof of funds, etc etc. Was a bunch of paperwork. No idea how much easier/harder a Cultural Visa was or would be.

Yes, it's a pre-college visa for language school. In 2005 I had to show that either I or a sponsor had the equivalent of at least about 3 million yen in the bank to get a pre-college visa. You can use a parent's bank account whether or not they actually plan to sponsor you. They just need to get an official letter from the bank stating how much is in the account (a montly bank statement is NOT sufficient).

I haven't heard much about the cultural visa in recent years but if I remember correctly it wasn't good for studying Japanese. It was only for traditional Japanese arts and crafts. For martial arts it had to be something classified at traditional. In other words, not studying MMA at the Grabaka Gym.

The Humanities Specialist and International Services visa is the standard work visa for people with at least a bachelor's degree/10 years experience who aren't engineers or educators.

[supastar]

Unfortunately I don't qualify for a holiday visa:( i'm from LA

[FG Lurker]

Yes, it's a pre-college visa for language school.

I heard the j-gov't was going to combine pre-college visas and college visas into one "student visa" status but I am not sure if this has happened already, will happen soon, or has been shelved.

[supastar]

No likely, unless you won the Van Cliburn Award.

If you were signing with a MAJOR agency as a "supastar" you might get Immigration to cut you some slack because of your age if for example you are Hanna Montana or Justin Bieber.

[color="Blue"] I am in my early 20's so i don't qualify for this bandwagon:(
Even with my current experience and training is that not enough to get an entertainment visa myself? or should I still go down to every agency and see if they can use my look? Alot of them don't have my look but im not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing:confused:
[/color]
That's a good question. Japan used to be quite willing to issue Humanities visa for studying the martial arts, but recently Immigration only seems to give such visas for people studying at officially-sanctioned Japanese Language Schools.

[color="Blue"]Aww man:( [/color]

Has anybody out there heard of Humanities visa being issued for the martial arts or underwater Japanese basket weaving in past year?
(My impression is that type of visa has dried up.)

[color="Blue"]thanks for the response:)[/color]

[Taro Toporific]

I don't qualify. Im from LA

So, the Working Holiday Visa is out.

Unless you have a real "supastar" career (just not high school dramas or a hand model on the TV Shopping Channel) and the backing of a BIG Japanese talent agency, you are not going to get an Entertainer Visa either.

Your lack of a 4-year university degree severely limits your hope as an engrish teacher or Humanities Specialist and International Services visa.

Of course, you can just throw money at your problem and sign up a proper Japanese school or finish your university degree at a pricey Japanese college (scholarships are only for gaijin geniuses or prodigies). Likewise, you could study at a famous martial arts school that offers an inside track to a visa (pay money please).

Bottom Line: You better have lots of money or get married to a Japanese.

[supastar]

So, the Working Holiday Visa is out.

Unless you have a real "supastar" career (just not high school dramas or a hand model on the TV Shopping Channel) and the backing of a BIG Japanese talent agency, you are not going to get an Entertainer Visa either.

Your lack of a 4-year university degree severely limits your hope as an engrish teacher or Humanities Specialist and International Services visa.

Of course, you can just throw money at your problem and sign up a proper Japanese school or finish your university degree at a pricey Japanese college (scholarships are only for gaijin geniuses or prodigies). Likewise, you could study at a famous martial arts school that offers an inside track to a visa (pay money please).

Bottom Line: You better have lots of money or get married to a Japanese.

[color="Indigo"]I actually have a pretty extensive resume and experience but I do more independent films than blockbusters:) aside from that...would I be able to get a visa if I have a job at a reputable company...(i.e. a contract?) without a 4 year degree? what visa would I apply under?...BTW the other post I wrote seems to have disappeared....[/color]

[Mike Oxlong]

Have you gone through the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage on visas?

[Samurai_Jerk]

[color="Indigo"]I actually have a pretty extensive resume and experience but I do more independent films than blockbusters:) aside from that...would I be able to get a visa if I have a job at a reputable company...(i.e. a contract?) without a 4 year degree? what visa would I apply under?...BTW the other post I wrote seems to have disappeared....[/color]

You need to have a bachelor's degree or 10 years demonstrable experience in your field of work to get a visa to do most jobs. Other ways are to marry a Japanese, get a Nikkei visa if you are of Japanese decent or get an internal company transfer from head office back home.

[supastar]

yes:)

[supastar]

I want to put together 10 years of demonstrable experience but how exactly do I do that? Do I make a chronological list of all my work & studies or do I have to have letters of recommendations and such? I have looked @ the website but it doesn't really tell me how to put together this list..also if I have a job does that not count?

[Samurai_Jerk]

I want to put together 10 years of demonstrable experience but how exactly do I do that? Do I make a chronological list of all my work & studies or do I have to have letters of recommendations and such? I have looked @ the website but it doesn't really tell me how to put together this list..also if I have a job does that not count?

Have you tried contacting the closest embassy or consulate?

[Taro Toporific]

I want to put together 10 years of demonstrable experience but how exactly do I do that?

Unless you are Hana Montana or Britney Spears, you need to be at LEAST 28 years old to have "10 years of demonstrable experience" for an entertainer visa.

That is as a practical matter, you will need "10 years of demonstrable experience" after the age of 18 to get an entertainer visa (Japanese Immigration now only gives out fewer than 2,000 entertainer visas per year).
Yeah, yeah, there are still a few 20 year old Filipinas who are scoring entertainer visas from J-Immigration (but those are yakuza sponsored visas, which have become extremely rare in the past few years).

[Samurai_Jerk]

Yeah, yeah, there are still a few 20 year old Filipinas who are scoring entertainer visas from J-Immigration (but those are yakuza sponsored visas, which have become extremely rare in the past few years).

This guy might be just dumb enough to get one of those. I'm sure he'll get a nice roofie-spiked cocktail on the limo ride from Narita and wake up in a Japanese version of the Glory Hole.

[Doctor Stop]

I'm sure he'll get a nice roofie-spiked cocktail on the limo ride from Narita and wake up in a Japanese version of the Glory Hole.

[YT]D0EGozm1TsA[/YT]

[supastar]

Unless you are Hana Montana or Britney Spears, you need to be at LEAST 28 years old to have "10 years of demonstrable experience" for an entertainer visa.

That is as a practical matter, you will need "10 years of demonstrable experience" after the age of 18 to get an entertainer visa (Japanese Immigration now only gives out fewer than 2,000 entertainer visas per year).
Yeah, yeah, there are still a few 20 year old Filipinas who are scoring entertainer visas from J-Immigration (but those are yakuza sponsored visas, which have become extremely rare in the past few years).

Thank you:) unfortunately i'm too young to do that then:( until then i guess we will see what happens...

[supastar]

Have you tried contacting the closest embassy or consulate?

I wasn't sure if I should since I am already here

[Samurai_Jerk]

I wasn't sure if I should since I am already here

Then get your ass to immigration and talk to one of the advisors. Even better, get an immigration lawyer.

[aquamarine]

Or better yet, ask on an internet forum with the term "FUCKED" in the name... we're all certified paralegals with advanced knowledge of immigration. In fact, WE issue the immigration certificates, visas AND mastercards. Please just send $400 to the following Paypal address....