Japan Tourist Visa for South African citizens: Everything you need to know

Are you a South African citizen planning to visit Japan? You must understand the Japan Tourist Visa application process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip.

Don’t worry; we're here to help! This guide will provide all the essential information you need to know, empowering you to confidently navigate the Japan Tourist visa application process from South Africa.

Types of Japanese tourist visas available for South African citizens

If you're a South African planning a trip to Japan, you must know about the various visa options available to ensure you pick the right one for your travel purposes. Let's take a closer look at the most popular choices:

Japan eVisa (Visa online) for South African citizens

South African passport holders can get a Japan eVisa when traveling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or visiting friends and relatives. You can use the Japan Government website to apply or our platform (which takes just a few clicks!). No visa appointment at the Japanese Embassy is needed. The entire process is online, and you receive your Japanese eVisa by email.

The Japan eVisa is a Single entry visa valid for 90 days after issued. During that period, you can enjoy your stay in Japan to the fullest. Just remember that this visa is available only for residents of South Africa or a few other countries. Otherwise, you'll need to apply for the Japan Tourist Visa.

Countries where the Japan eVisa is available for residents: Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Japan Tourist Visa for South African citizens

If you're a South African residing in a country where the Japan eVisa isn't available, don't worry! You can still apply for the Japan Tourist Visa. Note the application process usually involves a visa appointment at the Embassy of Japan and, in some cases, a visa interview.

The good news is that you can count on our professional assistance to guide you through the application process. Our team of visa experts will provide you with all the instructions you need to get your Japan Tourist Visa stress-free.

Our Visa Checker Tool can help visa applicants from other countries explore the available Japan Visa options.

Japan Tourist Visa validity

There are two Japanese tourist Visa types:

• Single-entry visa: This visa allows you to visit Japan as a tourist for a one-time trip. Typically, it's valid for up to 90 days after issued, giving you a maximum stay of 15 to 30 days per entry.

• Multiple-entry visa: If you're planning to visit Japan multiple times, the multiple-entry visa is the way to go! With this visa, you can make multiple entries for tourism purposes within three years. Each stay can last up to 90 days. Please note that we cannot provide guidance services for this particular option.

With our guidance service, you'll receive professional assistance throughout the paperwork and application process, ensuring a smooth experience. Our mission is to simplify travel! Just remember to follow the guidelines and requirements provided by the local Embassy and apply for the visa while in your residence country.

Visiting Japan: What you cannot do with a Japan Tourist Visa

While the Japan Tourist Visa comes with plenty of benefits, there are a few restrictions you should be aware of. Here are some activities you cannot do during your stay in Japan with this short-term visa:

• Working or engaging in employment activities in Japan is strictly prohibited. This visa is only for tourism, so no business-related work is allowed.

• Visiting family members or friends in Japan isn't allowed with the Japan Tourist Visa. You must apply for a Japan Visit Visa to visit your loved ones.

Also, if you're just transiting through Japan, you should apply for a Japan Transit Visa.

Japan Tourist Visa requirements for South African citizens

There are certain Japan Tourist Visa requirements for South African citizens. Here's what you should know:

Japan Tourist Visa: Eligibility criteria for South African citizens

• Ensure you have a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended departure date from Japan. You'll also need to have enough blank pages for the visa endorsement.

• Your trip to Japan must be solely for tourism-related activities.

• Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses

• Have a clean criminal record to be eligible for the Japan Tourist Visa.

Required documents for South African nationals

You must gather the following requirements:

• **Completed visa application form***

• Your South Africa passport

• A detailed itinerary, including confirmed hotel bookings, flight reservations, tourist company tours, tourist vouchers, and daily itinerary.

• Financial documents to prove you have enough funds to support your trip.

• Passport-size photograph

• Other documents may be required based on your situation, such as marriage certificate proof or a birth certificate. Our team will email you a tailored list of necessary documents depending on your circumstances.

Financial requirements for South African citizens

You can submit the following documents to prove you have sufficient funds to support your trip to Japan:

• Bank statement – Include statements from the last three months.

• Salary slips

• An employment letter

• Additional supporting documents will be required if you're being sponsored or financially supported by a third party, such as a family member or friend. These can include a sponsorship letter, sponsor's bank statements, and a letter explaining the nature of the financial support.

How to apply for your Japan Tourist Visa with us

Visa applications can be confusing, but we're here to simplify the process! You can download our convenient iVisa app to complete your application and track your progress from your phone.

Step-by-step guide to applying for the Japan Tourist Visa in South Africa

• Step 1: Complete the visa application form on our website or iVisa app with personal and travel details.

• Step 2: Pay the iVisa processing fee using PayPal, Venmo, Amazon Pay, or a credit or debit card.

• Step 3: Gather the necessary documents. Our expert team will send you a detailed list of all the required documents to submit.

• Step 4: Schedule a visa appointment and pay the government fee of US$42 at the Japan Embassy in South Africa. Sometimes, an interview may be required, so be prepared. We will inform you if this is the case.

• Step 5: Wait while the government processes your application. Once your visa is approved, you can pick up your passport and travel to Japan!

South Africa - Japan: Japanese Embassy in South Africa

When it's time to submit your visa application, you must go to the Embassy of Japan or the Consulate General in South Africa. Our visa experts are here to give all the instructions you need to schedule your appointment. But just in case you have any visa-related questions, here's the contact information for the Japanese Embassy in South Africa:

• Japan visa information hotline: +27 21 100 4824

Japanese Embassy in South Africa:

• Address: 259 Baines St, Cnr Frans Oerder St, Groenkloof, Pretoria 0181

Phone number: +55 61 3442-4200

• Japan’s Embassy website

Office of Consul of Japan in Cape Town

• Phone number: : +27 21 425 1695
• Address: The Towers, 2 Heerengracht St, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Common reasons for visa refusals in South Africa

Here are some common visa application mistakes you should avoid:

• Applying as a tourist but planning to stay with a relative.

• Insufficient funds to support your trip.

• Avoid inconsistencies between the visa application form and supporting documents.

Relax! Our team will carefully review your application to ensure compliance with all the government's requirements.

What to expect after submitting the Japan Visa application in South Africa?

After you've attended your visa appointment at the Japanese Embassy in South Africa, here's what you can expect as a South African citizen:

• You’ll receive an acknowledgment receipt confirming that your application has been submitted and is being processed.

• The Embassy will review your application and supporting documents. They might contact you if they need additional documentation.

• The Embassy will notify you of the visa outcome using the contact information provided during the application process.

Japan Tourist Visa fees for South African citizens

Regarding the visa fees, here’s what you can expect when applying with our assistance:

• iVisa service fee for South African citizens: USD $199.99. This fee covers the cost of accessing our guide service and all the benefits that come with it.

• Japan government visa fee: You must pay US$42 at the Japanese Embassy when submitting your documents.

Japan Tourist Visa processing time in South Africa

Here are the processing times you must consider when applying with us:

• iVisa processing time: 30 days. This includes the time it takes to complete your visa application form and for our iVisa experts to review it.

• Japan government processing time: Japan’s government typically takes one to four weeks to process visa requests.

We recommend applying for your visa at least two months before your planned travel date to ensure you have enough time for processing.

Where can I find more information about the Japan Tourist Visa?

Do you still have visa inquiries about the Japan Tourist Visa? Our customer service team is ready to assist you. Contact our iVisa experts through our online chat or WhatsApp, who are always available to help you.

Before packing your bags, check out our Japan Travel Guide. Safe travels!