How to apply for Japan eVisa: A step-by-step guide

The Japan eVisa is the most simplified way to obtain a visa to visit Japan as a tourist. It has very narrow eligibility requirements, but if you fit the criteria, it will save you time and a trip to the Japanese embassy.

The Japan eVisa application is sent to the Japanese overseas mission with jurisdiction over your country of residence. The required documents and fees vary slightly depending on the country you are applying from.

Read the Japan Visa Guide for more general information on available visas for tourists, eligibility and requirements.

***

What is the Japan eVisa validity?

The Japan eVisa is valid for 3 months from the day of issue. The validity is not extendable and the visa is not transferable to a new passport. If you renew your passport, you will have to apply for a new eVisa.

***

What is the allowed duration of stay?

The allowed duration of stay can be either 15, 30, or 90 days, depending on your travel itinerary and other factors of your application. The most commonly granted duration is 90 days.

***

What is the allowed number of entries?

The Japan eVisa is single-entry only. You cannot apply for a multiple-entry visa online.

If you need a multiple-entry visa, you must apply for a regular Japan tourist visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate or through an accredited agency (for residents and nationals of 9 countries).

***

What are the allowed ports of entry?

With an eVisa, you are allowed to enter Japan only by air or sea. You can enter from any international airport.

***

When to apply for Japan eVisa

The Japanese eVisa website is efficient, and most online visa applications are processed within 5 business days. This period is calculated after your application is considered complete by the Japanese overseas mission in charge.

There are often cases where travelers are asked to submit additional documents, so in reality, it may take longer than 5 business days to get the eVisa.

Periods with increased demand (for example, the period leading up to the Cherry Blossom season) also result in longer waiting times.

• Earliest: 3 months before flying to Japan
• Latest: 2 weeks

***

Who is eligible to apply for Japan eVisa?

Legal residents of the following countries, regardless of nationality (unless already exempt), are eligible to apply for the Japan eVisa.

1. Australia
2. Brazil
3. Cambodia
4. Canada
5. Saudi Arabia
6. South Africa
7. Taiwan
8. United Kingdom
9. United States

Note that there is a distinction between a national and a resident. As a national, you will have a passport issued by the said country, whereas as a resident, you will have a different passport plus a residence permit or long-term visa to reside legally in the said country.

Most of the nationals of the countries above are already visa-exempt, except for Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa – if you’re either their national or resident, you’re eligible for the Japan eVisa.

You are NOT eligible for Japan eVisa if:

• Your purpose of travel is other than tourism, such as a family visit, business, etc.
• You need a multiple-entry visa
• You are a dual citizen of Japan and another country
• You have a criminal record

***

What documents are required for eVisa?

The required documents vary depending on the country from which you are applying. But here are the most commonly required documents for eVisa.

1. Passport
2. Passport-size facial photo
3. Proof of legal residency and/or immigration status
4. Flight itinerary
5. Schedule of stay
6. Proof of ability to pay for the trip
7. Additional documents (requested only in some countries)

1. Passport requirements

The passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Japan. It also must contain at least 1 blank page entry and exit stamps.

2. Photo specifications

The photo for the eVisa must meet the following requirements:

• Must have been taken in the last 6 months
• Must be on a plain, untextured background
• Face must be clearly visible and must be centered horizontally

3. Proof of legal residency/immigration status

This can be a long-term visa or residence permit that allows you to reside in that country legally. Examples include student visas, work visas, PR cards, or permanent visas.

4. Flight itinerary

You are not required to purchase flight tickets; instead, you can provide a flight itinerary for your visa.

The flight itinerary must provide all flights that will bring you to Japan, not just the flight arriving in Japan if you’re connecting somewhere.

For example, you live in Australia and your itinerary involves visiting Thailand first and then Japan. In that case, providing flight tickets from Thailand to Japan will not be sufficient. You will have to provide your flight tickets from Australia to Thailand as well.

The same applies to the return ticket and if you are stopping over somewhere on your way back home and that country requires a visa, you will have to provide that too.

5. Schedule of stay

This is a detailed day-by-day plan of places you’ll visit and things you’ll do in Japan. You must use the Travel Itinerary Form template provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. If you haven’t planned every day of your trip, it’s fine to leave a few days as “To be determined”.

6. Proof of ability to pay for the trip

This is mainly your bank statements, but it can also be salary slips, income tax returns, etc. The exact documents you need to prove your ability to pay depend on the country you are applying from.

7. Additional documents

1. Proof of accommodation booking
2. Proof of current residential address
3. Government ID

Proof of accommodation booking: This can be your hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, etc. I recommend booking a refundable hotel or Airbnb to avoid any losses in case of visa refusal.

Proof of current residential address: This can be a driver’s license, national ID, state ID, utility bill or rental agreement that shows your current address. This document is usually asked for when there are multiple Japanese consulates in a country.

Government ID: This is only asked for certain nationalities applying from certain countries. This must be a scan or a photo of both the front and back sides of the Government ID.

Other optional documents include:

1. Visa for the country you will visit after Japan (if you require one)
2. Certificate of enrollment in a University or a Certificate of employment
3. If someone will sponsor your trip, submit:
   • Sponsorship letter
   • Passport of the sponsor
   • Documents to prove the relationship with the guarantor (marriage certificate, birth certificate, resident book, family book, etc.)
4. Parental consent form if under 18
5. Letter of authorization

You may be asked to submit additional documents after you submit the application.

***

How much is the Japan eVisa fee?

The Japan eVisa fee is 3,000 Japanese Yen.

The fee is lower or free for countries that have signed bilateral agreements with Japan. Check with the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your place of residence to see if you’re eligible for a lower fee or no fee.

The exact fee will be shown after your application is successfully processed and the eVisa is issued. Unlike most other countries, payment for the Japan eVisa is made after the visa is issued.

***

How long is the processing time for Japan eVisa?

The processing time is 5 business days.

This period starts when the Japanese overseas establishment receives your online application and confirms that it’s complete.

You may be asked for additional documents, in which case the normal 5-day processing period will start after you submit them too.

That said, many Japanese overseas establishments are experiencing delays, and processing is taking up to 2 weeks in some countries.

***

How to apply for Japan eVisa?

Before you begin the application process, check if you’re eligible for the Japan eVisa and the required documents. Follow the steps below.

Go to the official Japan eVisa portal

Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the “Check your necessary documents” button.

In the pop-up, select your nationality, country of residence and state/province of residence.

It will show your Japanese embassy/consulate to which your eVisa application will be sent.

Then select the category as “Tourism” and details as “Tourism” and click on the “Display” button.

[* I’m using a Filipino living in Canada as an example here in the above screenshot]

On the right side, you will see the required documents. Gather those documents before you start filling out the application.

Check the box for “I have checked the necessary documents” and click on the “Online visa application page”. This will take you to the login page.

—

Prerequisite step: Create new account

Go to the Japan eVisa login page

Click on the “Register an email address” button.

Step a: Enter account information

Enter your email address and select your language, citizenship, country and state/province of residence.

Click on the “Check” button.

Step b: Check account information

Review the entered information is correct and click on the “Register” button.

Step c: Complete account registration

Go to your email inbox and find the email with the subject JAPAN eVISA [Notification of completion of temporary account registration].

Click the link in the email, then create a password and click on the “Register” button to complete the registration.

—

Step 0: New Registration

Go back to the Japan eVisa login page and log in to the portal.

On the Home page, click on the New Registration button.

—

Step 1: Disclaimer

Read through the disclaimer, select Yes, I agree to the above and click on the Next button.

—

Step 2: Basic information

Upload the following:

Upload 1: Facial photo

Upload a digital photo of your face. If your photo is not in the required format, you will be asked to cut out the photo manually. In such a case, click on the cutout the face manually button. In the pop-up, drag the red circle to position your face in it and click on the execute cut-out button. If the face photo is now in the required format, the application will accept it and the pop-up will close.

NOTE: The cutout feature doesn’t work well and keeps saying that the specified area is out of the image. If you experience this, just drag the red square down and keep the top line just over your face. Doesn’t matter if your face is within the circle, as long as the top line is just above the face, it will accept the photo.

Upload 2: Passport

The passport scan or photo must be the ID page and the page above it. The photo, personal information, and the MRZ must be clear, legible with no shadows or glare. I suggest scanning your passport ID and the page above it instead of taking a photo of it using your mobile phone. That way, you will avoid any glare or shadows.

NOTE: After you successfully upload your passport biodata page, some of the information in the form below will be automatically populated. Review the auto-populated information, such as your name, passport number, etc., very carefully and fix it if it’s incorrect.

Enter the following:

• Family name [Instruction: Enter your surname or family name from your passport. If you have only one name in the passport, enter the name in this field.]
• Given and middle names [Instruction: Enter your given name or first and middle names separated by a space. If you have only one name in the passport, check the box “if you don’t have a family name…”.]
• Date of birth [Instruction: Enter your date of birth as per your passport]
• Nationality or citizenship [Instruction: Enter your citizenship as per your passport]
• Passport number [Instruction: Enter your passport number]
• Gender [Instruction: Enter your gender as per your passport]
• Passport expiry date [Instruction: Enter your passport expiry date]
• National ID number [Instruction: This is not a required field, so you can leave this blank]
• Passport type [Instruction: Ordinary will already be selected]
• Place where the passport was issued [Instruction: Enter the place where your passport was issued]
• Date when the passport was issued [Instruction: Enter your passport issue date]
• Government office that issued the passport [Instruction: Enter the authority that issued the passport]
• Former family name [Instruction: If you have changed your family name, you can enter your former family name here or check the box for “Check here for none”]
• Former given name [Instruction: If you have changed your given name, you can enter your former given name here or check the box for “Check here for none”]
• Former and/or other nationalities or citizenship [Instruction: If you previously had any other nationalities or citizenships, you can select the country here. If not, just select “None”.]
• Place of birth [Instruction: Enter your place of birth as per your passport, in the form of city, state, country]
• Marriage status [Instruction: Select your marital status]
• Occupation of the applicant [Instruction: Select your occupation]
  • [OPTIONS]
  • Independent business
  • Office worker
  • Public servant
  • Student
  • Unemployed
  • Other
• Occupation of the spouse [Instruction: If you have selected “Married” above, then you can select your spouse’s occupation. If not, just select “None”]
• Purpose of visit – category Tourism [Instruction: Select “Tourism”]
• Purpose of visit – details Tourism [Instruction: Select “Tourism”]
• Number of times the visa is valid [Instruction: Select “Single”]

Click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 3: Travel information

• Scheduled date of entry into Japan [Instruction: Enter your planned arrival date in Japan]
• Scheduled date of departure from Japan [Instruction: Enter your planned departure date from Japan]
• Name of ship or airline [Instruction: Enter the airline name]
• Port of entry into Japan [Instruction: Enter the city where your airline will arrive. If you have booked a ticket to Tokyo, then enter “Tokyo” as the port of entry.]
• Destination [Instruction: Select the region that you will visit in Japan. If Tokyo, select “Other”]
  • [OPTIONS]
  • Other
  • Iwate/Miyagi/Fukushima
  • Okinawa
• Accommodation or hotel name [Instruction: Enter your hotel name]
• Telephone number of accommodation [Instruction: Enter your hotel phone number]
• Address of the accommodation [Instruction: Enter your hotel address]
• Total number of days stayed in the last year [Instruction: If you’ve been to Japan in the past year, enter the total number of days you have stayed in Japan in the past year]

Name of ship or airline: Enter the airline name here. For example: Air Canada. You don’t have to book a flight ticket. You can simply get a flight itinerary for visa and enter the airline name shown in the itinerary. If there are multiple airlines in the itinerary, enter the airline that arrives in Japan.

Accommodation or hotel name: Simply book a refundable or pay-at-check-in hotel and use that name here. After your visa is approved, you can cancel this booking if you prefer. Either way, do not book a “non-refundable” hotel before your eVisa is approved.

—

Step 4: Address

Section: Current address of the applicant

• Country or region [Instruction: Enter the country where you currently reside]
• State, prefecture, province, etc. [Instruction: Enter the state or province where you currently reside]
• Current address [Instruction: Enter your current residential address]
• Contact information [Instruction: Enter your mobile phone number]
• Email address [Instruction: Enter your email address]

Section: Employer (company/school/university)

• Name of the employer [Instruction: Enter your employer’s name]
• Telephone number of the employer [Instruction: Enter your employer’s phone number]
• Address of the employer [Instruction: Enter your employer’s address]

—

Step 5: Background check

Section: Background check

• Special reasons for visa application [Instruction: You can treat this as a mini-cover letter and enter any special requests or considerations for your visa]

Read through the rest of the background check questions, and answer them yes or no.

Section: Verification Items

• Will the applicant’s travel expenses be self-funded? [Instruction: Select “Yes”. If someone else is paying for your trip, then select “No”.]
• Is the applicant a minor? [Instruction: Select “No”. If the applicant is a minor, select “Yes”.]
• Are you the applicant yourself? [Instruction: If you are applying for yourself, select “Yes”. If you are applying for someone else, say for your child or spouse, select “No” and enter your name here.]

—

Step 6: Supporting documents

Upload the following supporting documents. This list varies depending on where you are applying. Here, I’m using an Indian applying from Canada as an example.

All documents must be in JPG, PNG, HEIC, or PDF format. I suggest scanning the documents instead of taking photos of them on your mobile phone. If documents are multiple pages, scan them and combine them into a single PDF.

1. Proof of Immigration Status

This can be your permanent residence card, permit, or a long-term visa that allows you to reside, such as a study, work or spouse permit/visa. If it’s a card, scan both sides of it and combine it into a single document.

2. Itinerary with flight information

This can be a dummy flight booking, but it must be a “round-trip” flight itinerary starting and ending in the “city where you reside”. For example, if you live in Vancouver, Canada, and that’s the address shown on your government ID, then your flight should be from Vancouver to any city in Japan and any city in Japan back to Vancouver.

The flight itinerary must show your name, dates, times, and flight numbers. It must start from the city where you reside and end in the same city.

3. Document to prove the ability to pay for travel expenses

These can be bank statements from the past 3 months. Bank account must be in the local currency of the country where you reside. Remember, you can only apply for a Japan eVisa if you reside in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

4. Schedule of stay

Download and fill out the travel itinerary in this specific format with your day-by-day activities. Keep it as detailed as possible. Combine this travel itinerary with your hotel bookings into a single PDF and upload it here.

You don’t have to pay for your hotels now. You can simply obtain a hotel reservation by booking refundable or pay-at-check-in hotels and use those bookings here.

5. Document to prove legal residency

Upload a valid government-issued ID with your address on it from the country where you reside. For example, a driver’s license or national/state ID. Again, remember, you can only apply for a Japan eVisa if you reside in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

After uploading all the documents, click on the “Next” button.

—

Step 7: Check application

Review all the information you’ve entered and the documents uploaded. If everything is correct, submit your application.

IMPORTANT: Although it’s rare, you may be asked to visit the Japanese embassy for an interview or to submit additional documents in person. You can also choose to pay the visa fee in cash at the embassy.

***

How to track eVisa status

You can track the status of your application in the “Visa application list” section of the eVisa portal. You will receive an email every time the status changes.

The application can be in any of the following statuses.

• Application not made: Application is not yet submitted
• Application in progress: Application submitted, but it’s not yet sent to the Japanese embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over your area of residence
• Temporarily received: The Japanese embassy/consulate has received your application
• Under examination: The Japanese embassy/consulate is currently processing your application
• Fee payment: Visa is approved, and you’re now required to pay the fee
• Issued: Visa is issued, and you can download or display the “Visa Issuance Notice”.

***

How to download the approved eVisa?

After you pay for the eVisa, click on the checkbox next to the issued visa application and click on the Visa issuance notice (pdf) button to download the approved eVisa PDF.

Note that the airline check-in staff and immigration will not accept the downloaded eVisa PDF. You must show the Visa Issuance Notice on your mobile phone in real time. Meaning, when you retrieve your Visa Issuance Notice, it will display a countdown timer on the top right corner.

***

How to contact customer service?

For specific inquiries about your eVisa application, contact the Japanese embassy or consulate that is in charge of it.

For general questions about the eVisa or the Japan eVisa website, use the contact options below.

Email: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com
Phone: Contact phone number depending on your country.

***

How to display Visa Issuance Notice at the border?

At immigration, you must present the online version of your Visa Issuance Notice on your phone. Printouts or PDFs of the Visa Issuance Notice are not accepted as proof.

You can still carry a print of your Visa Issuance Notice to show as proof if you’re asked by airline staff but you may still be asked to display it on your phone.

At immigration, you have two options to display the online version of the Visa Issuance Notice.

• Option 1: By navigating to the Japan eVisa website on your phone
• Option 2: By scanning the QR code on your Visa Issuance Notice print

Option 1:

• Connect to the free airport WiFi and navigate to the Japan eVisa portal
• Log in and click on the “Visa application list”
• Check the box next to your current visa
• Click on the “Visa Issuance Notice (to display)” button

This will bring up the online, real-time version of your Visa Issuance Notice with a countdown timer.

Option 2:

• Scan the QR code on your Visa Issuance Notice print with your mobile phone
• This will bring up the Japan eVisa webpage
• Enter your passport number and date of birth, and click on the display button

A real-time, online version of your Visa Issuance Notice will be displayed. A countdown timer on the top-right side of the screen indicates that it’s the online, real-time version.

After you clear immigration and enter Japan, you will receive an email saying your eVisa has expired. This means you cannot use it to enter Japan again. 

Check your passport for the Landing Permission stamp to see how long you can stay in Japan.

Credits: Maps are made with mapchart.net