Part of 特定活動 (Designated Activities). See the Designated Activities hub for the full list of 20+ sub-types.
This 特定活動 status bundles three related but legally distinct programs — internship, summer job, and cultural exchange — all short-term and all involving a Japanese host organization that takes on a foreign participant for a structured activity. It exists because the standard Short-term Stay visa caps at 90 days and does not cleanly handle paid or stipend-supported activity, while the longer Work visas require a university degree and ongoing employment relationship.
The internship track (インターンシップ) is the most common. A foreign university student, still enrolled and working toward a degree, is placed at a Japanese host company for a credit-bearing internship defined in their academic curriculum. A three-party written agreement — home university, host company, student — is required, and the internship can run up to 1 year where the academic program justifies it. Summer Job (サマージョブ) works similarly but without the academic-credit requirement, restricted to summer vacation (typically up to 3 months) and requiring enrolled-student status plus a genuine Japanese employer. Cultural Exchange (国際文化交流) covers programs sponsored by Japanese local governments, sister-city initiatives, cultural foundations, and recognized NPOs — think prefectural international exchange associations inviting young people for structured cultural-immersion programs.
Stipends and wages are allowed within the scope of the approved program, and the activity plan must describe the schedule in detail. Unrelated part-time work is not permitted, and the status is generally non-renewable — when the program ends, you depart. For participants who make a strong impression, a subsequent return on 技術・人文知識・国際業務 after graduation is a common trajectory, especially when the host company decides to hire them full-time. Family accompaniment is not supported under this sub-type, which suits its short-duration, single-participant design.
Who Is This For
- ✓Students at foreign universities placed in a Japanese company for a credit-bearing internship (インターンシップ)
- ✓Foreign university students on summer break taking a short-term paid job in Japan (サマージョブ)
- ✓Participants in government or sister-city exchange programs (国際文化交流)
- ✓Applicants whose internship is longer than the 90 days allowed under Short-term Stay
- ✓Students wanting structured Japanese-workplace exposure before committing to a work visa
Requirements
- •Internship: currently enrolled at a foreign university; internship must be part of the academic curriculum (credit-bearing); written agreement between home university, Japanese host company, and student
- •Summer Job: currently enrolled at a foreign university; activity must occur during the university's summer vacation; Japanese employer contract in place
- •Cultural Exchange: formal invitation from a Japanese local government, sister-city program, or recognized exchange organization; exchange program plan with defined activities
- •Compensation is allowed only within the scope of the approved program
- •No unrelated paid employment during the stay
- •Valid passport and return travel means
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- (Internship) Tripartite agreement: home university + Japanese host company + student
- (Internship) Enrollment certificate from home university, curriculum excerpt showing the internship requirement
- (Summer Job) University enrollment certificate + summer vacation period documentation + Japanese employer contract
- (Cultural Exchange) Invitation letter + program plan from the Japanese host organization
- Activity schedule (daily / weekly breakdown)
- Photograph (4cm x 3cm, taken within 3 months)
- Proof of return funds or employer/host guarantee of expenses
Application Process
- 1Confirm with your home university (internship/summer job) or host organization (cultural exchange) that the program qualifies
- 2The Japanese host (company, school, local government, NPO) prepares the invitation and activity plan
- 3Host files the Certificate of Eligibility application at the Regional Immigration Bureau
- 4Receive the CoE and apply for the visa at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate in your home country
- 5Enter Japan and receive your residence card at the airport (if stay > 90 days)
- 6Perform only the activities specified in the approved program plan
- 7At program end, depart Japan — this status is generally non-renewable
- 8If the internship leads to a permanent job offer, apply for a Change of Status to 技術・人文知識・国際業務 or similar
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.