The “Religious Activities” residence status in Japan is granted to foreign nationals who come to the country to engage in missionary or religious work. Eligible individuals include priests, monks, missionaries, and other religious workers who are dispatched by overseas religious organizations to serve at recognized religious corporations or affiliated institutions in Japan. With this status, they may conduct preaching, ceremonies, and other faith-based activities.To obtain this status, the applicant must be officially sent by a religious organization based abroad, and the receiving institution in Japan must also be legally registered as a religious corporation. The permitted activities must be strictly religious in nature, such as missionary work, ritual performance, or community service related to faith. Commercial or profit-oriented work is not allowed. The period of stay is typically three months, one year, three years, or five years, with the possibility of renewal depending on the circumstances.The “Religious Activities” visa plays an important role in fostering cultural and spiritual exchange between Japan and other countries. By allowing foreign religious workers to engage in faith-based activities, it contributes to mutual understanding, multicultural coexistence, and the enrichment of Japanese society through diverse religious perspectives. This residence status thus serves as a valuable framework for promoting international cooperation and cultural harmony.
5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months
