How to get a visa for Japan

Visa Policy for Japan

Visitors entering Japan must possess a valid passport for the duration of their stay, and they must comply with the requirements of their visas. Japan visa policy explains the country's requirements for foreigners, such as those who require a visa to enter the country. Visas are travel authorizations granted by countries to foreign nationals for the purpose of entering, remaining in, or leaving a certain country.

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The visa requirements for Japan vary from person to person, depending on various factors, including the nationality of the traveler, intended length of stay, and purpose of the trip.

There are many different visas and travel authorizations offered by Japan to its citizens. For business or pleasure, visiting Japan requires a visa and travel authorization for more than 129 nationalities. Those planning longer stays in Japan that includes living or working there need to obtain the necessary visas and/or permits from the Japanese embassy.

The Japan visa must be obtained at an embassy for travelers from all other countries. The vast majority of the time, visitors to Japan must obtain a visa before traveling there. Citizens of over 68 countries have free access to Japan. Persons in this group are able to reside in Japan, as well as receive a visa. The following sections provide an overview of the Japan visa policy for travelers and short-term guests.

Your purpose and nationality may determine whether you must pay fees or not. It is not necessary to obtain a visa or pay a fee if one is not issued. The Japanese Embassy and Consulate General charge processing fees for visa applicants who apply through their approved agencies. Continue reading this article for more details about the Japan visa policy.

Tourist Visa Policy for Japan ‌

Japan tourist visas are required only if you are entering Japan for tourist purposes and are required to hold a visa at the time of entry.

You will apply for the Japan tourist visa in a Japan visa application center, an Embassy, or a Consulate, whichever accepts visa applications from your home country. You need to apply at the closest embassy or consulate to your location if none of them are in your country. To foreign nationals wishing to travel to Japan for tourism purposes, there are a number of options. In accordance with the nationality of the traveler, the traveler has a variety of options. For travel to Japan or for the right to travel as a tourist, 68 nationalities are eligible for visa-free travel. For Japan Visas, which permit multiple entries within Japan, there are more than 129 countries eligible. Visa holders are permitted to stay for up to three months within 12 months of receiving the visa.

Online visas for Japan are available to foreign nationals who have a valid passport from a country that qualifies, a valid email address, and an approved payment method. In addition to meeting certain health requirements, applicants must have negative COVID-19 results. Follow Japan visa policy for more updates.

In Japan, tourist visas are only available at Japanese embassies for all nations. For anyone who wishes to remain in Japan for a longer period of time, a long-term visa must be obtained from the embassy. You can navigate the list below to see which countries can apply for a Japan tourist visa.

Japan Tourist Visa

Visitors to Japan seeking either a business or pleasure visa may apply for one as long as their nationality is eligible to apply for one. Visa applications for Japan are accepted from nationals of 129 countries. Visitors with Japanese visas are permitted to travel to Japan for tourism and business. After the visa is issued, it is valid for 12 months, which means you can travel to Japan during that period. The maximum length of stay for a single visitor during a single trip is three months.

A Japan visa application can be filled out online through the Japan Visa Portal, which is an easy and straightforward process. The application can usually be completed in just a few minutes. Each applicant needs to submit a form with a few details about themselves. In addition to the passport number, email address, and name and birthday, the form also includes personal information. Additionally, the form will ask you a few questions about your health and security.

Visas can only be issued successfully if the required documents are submitted and the requirements are met. These are countries that may need visas to enter Japan as per the Japan visa policy.

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo Republic
DR Congo
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea (DPRK)
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Holy See (Vatican)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Japan e-Visa

Indonesia and the UAE are the only countries that can obtain Japan e-Visas at the moment. Online applications can be filled out by applicants. They only need to submit a copy of their passport and other required documents. Once you have paid your application fee. The e-visa will be sent to them via email. Those with a visa are permitted a 90-day stay in Japan.

Learn more about the Japan e-Visa

Other Visa Information for Japan ‌

You will need a Japan business visa if you are visiting Japan exclusively for business purposes, which are attending meetings or consultations, attending conferences or conventions, or conducting business negotiations.

If your country of residence accepts visa applications, you can apply for the Japan Business visa at a Japan visa application center, an embassy, or a consulate. You need to apply at the closest embassy or consulate to your location if none of them are in your country. Former Soviet Union members could not get visas on their own since they could not show financial guarantees; instead, they had to apply through a travel agency or be invited by a Japanese national or resident. Residents of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan] Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine no longer have to meet these requirements.

Furthermore, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants special visas to nationals of China and the Philippines. It is also necessary for the citizens of these countries to go through an accredited travel agency or obtain an invitation from a Japanese citizen or resident. In 2014, Filipinos and Vietnamese traveling in a group through a registered travel agency can obtain entry visas for up to 15-day tourist stays with a simplified process that requires fewer documents than before. Furthermore, Indian, Philippine, and Vietnamese citizens may apply for multiple-entry visas following their visit to Japan and other G7 nations or if they possess "sufficient financial capabilities."

As of April 2015, Chinese tourists onboard cruise ships are no longer required to acquire a visa. As everyone will be embarking and disembarking the same ships, the schedule must be adhered to.

According to reports, Japan plans to relax visa requirements for citizens of key countries such as India, China, and Vietnam starting in the summer of 2016. Chinese nationals were able to apply for visas starting from 17 October 2016, and Indian nationals could apply from 1 January 2018.