RResidents in Japan

Student to Entertainer Visa?

  • March 31, 2026

I am in Japan on a student visa. I have been wanting to reach out to modeling agencies to "engage in other activities" by doing some part-time work while in school. Near the end of my 2 years of language school, I am hoping to do modeling and voice acting full-time. To do that, I would need an entertainer visa. Do you think it would be difficult to get. Do you think immigration would accept it? Looking for some advice or if anyone has experience with this.

by momochaii

4 comments

  1. Any legit agency would know whether they can sponsor you for a visa or not.

    Ask them about this after you actually get a modeling job.

  2. I’ve (anecdotally) heard that the Entertainer status of residence (SOR) is hard to get, and you need to already have some (2 years+?) of professional experience to qualify for it; and the “value” of the events you will be performing at will also be evaluated (venue size, projected attendance, revenue forecasts, etc).

    Here is another (somewhat related) thread a couple of months back, by someone else who was able to get the artist SOR as a musician: [https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/1n5suxp/i_have_the_japanese_artist_visa_and_am_a/](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/1n5suxp/i_have_the_japanese_artist_visa_and_am_a/)

    Voice acting could potentially fall under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services SOR – might need to consult with an “immigration lawyer” if a full-time voice acting job will qualify for it.

  3. Based on the actors, models and performers I know, it seems like the safest bet would be to get a working visa with a more stable job while continuing to pursue your show business aspirations on the side.

  4. I know many people working in that exact industry, including foreigners.

    Let’s just say it’s easier to get married to a Japanese person and obtain a spouse visa than it is to get one as an entertainer. Especially as someone not already in the industry.

    Those who do have one only have it for three to six months, then they have to renew. Most of those you see on NHK World who don’t have PR or spouse or another visa, they’re constantly renewing, and that’s working for the NHK!

    You should have been spending the last two years on your student visa building up cred in the industry, because starting from zero with no working visa already will be incredibly hard.

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