The International Culture Exchange article has been added to the Special Activity Visa as of Feb. 17, 2005. It is limited to foreign students of overseas universities (students who study an educational course and will be granted a degree when graduated or finished) who participate in an event purposed for international culture and exchange carried out by local governments of Japan. Students will make a contract with their local government and are permitted to work with remuneration at primary schools and junior high schools in a period not to exceed three months during long-term university holidays.

Currently, internships and summer jobs have been admitted. Internships consist of three different types. One receives remuneration from the host organization as part of the Special Activity Visa. The remaining two are either a short stay of less than 90 days with no remuneration or a stay over 90 days with no remuneration (Culture Activity Visa). During holidays at universities in foreign counties, summer jobs have been admitted as a special activity in the case of stays less than three months, and it is possible to work with pay regardless of whether the job is related to your educational courses or not.

International culture exchange includes, for example, foreign language instruction, and lectures about the industry, art and traditional culture of your home country.