Understanding the Status of Residence “Religion” in Japan

Understanding the Status of Residence “Religion”:

The status of residence “Religion” encompasses missionary work and other religious activities conducted by foreign religious workers dispatched to Japan by foreign religious groups. To clarify the content of activities, the applicant must submit a copy of a dispatch letter from a foreign religious organization or a document certifying the dispatch period, position, and compensation. Additionally, an outline of the dispatching and host institutions, including information on the denomination, history, representative name, organization, institutions, and number of followers, should be provided. If the dispatch letter does not contain details about the applicant’s position and work history within a religious organization, a separate document with this information should be submitted.

The status of residence “Religion” covers religious workers such as priests, monks, bishops, missionaries, pastors, and clergy. However, individuals dispatched as believers or for miscellaneous services to the church, for example, do not fall under the status of residence “Religion”.

Key Considerations to Note:

Judicial Precedent (May 15, 1960, Supreme Court Decision):

To enter Japan with the status of residence “Religion”, activities must be “dispatched and conducted in Japan”. Participating in a foreign religious organization whose all financial resources for the activities are in Japan, or engaging in religious activities that violate Japanese laws or are detrimental to public welfare, is not allowed.

About Compensation:

Although the status of residence “Religion” does not explicitly require a specific amount of remuneration, similar to other work-related statuses of residence, it is necessary to earn sufficient income or remuneration to sustain a social life in Japan. The application form includes a section to indicate the amount of income. Therefore, when applying for an extension of the period of stay, a tax payment certificate and a taxation certificate for the most recent year must be submitted, as required for other statuses of residence.

If the applicant intends to engage in religious activities for remuneration outside the religious organization to which they belong or outside the facilities operated by that religious organization, permission to engage in activities beyond what is permitted under the status of residence will be required.