How to apply for Japan tourist visa: A complete guide

A Japanese tourist visa is required for all non-visa-exempt nationalities and those who are not eligible to apply for the Japan eVisa online.

The Japanese tourist visa can only be applied for at a Japanese embassy/consulate or through an accredited agency in your country of nationality or residence. Citizens and foreign nationals residing in 9 countries may receive an eVisa instead of a sticker visa.

Read the Japan Visa Guide for more general advice about available visas for tourists, eligibility, and procedures.

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What is the Japan tourist visa validity?

Single-entry tourist visa: Japan single-entry tourist visas are usually valid for 3 months. If you renew your passport before you use it, the visa becomes invalid. You must apply for a new visa.

Multiple-entry tourist visa: Japan multiple-entry tourist visas are valid for 1-5 years, depending on the nationality. Valid multiple-entry visas in old, expired passports are considered valid if accompanied by a new, valid passport.

Nationality	Multiple-Entry Visa Validity
India	5 years
Indonesia	5 years
Philippines	5 years
Vietnam	5 years
Mongolia	1, 3 or 5 years
Pacific Islanders	3 years

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What is the allowed duration of stay?

Single-entry tourist visa: The allowed duration of stay in Japan for a single-entry visa is 15, 30 or 90 days, depending on the nationality and whether or not it’s your first visa.

Multiple-entry tourist visa: The allowed duration of stay for a multiple-entry visa depends on the nationality, as outlined in the table below.

Nationality	Multiple-Entry Visa Stay Duration
India	90 days
Indonesia	30 days
Philippines	30 days
Vietnam	30 days
Mongolia	15 or 30 days
Pacific Islanders	30 days

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What is the allowed number of entries?

The standard Japanese tourist visa is a single-entry visa only.

Multiple-entry tourist visas are issued to select nationalities meeting specific requirements.

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What are the allowed ports of entry?

With a Japanese tourist visa, you can enter Japan at any international airport or seaport.

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When to apply for Japan tourist visa?

The processing time is 5 business days after the visa application is deemed complete by the receiving embassy or agency.

It can take even longer if additional documents are requested from you or your application is sent for further review. Apply well in advance to ensure you receive the visa before your travel dates.

• Earliest: 3 months before traveling
• Latest: 2 weeks before traveling

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What are the benefits of Japan tourist visa?

Japan tourist visa offers VISA-FREE access to many countries, including the Philippines, Georgia, and Mexico. Read the VISA-FREE countries for Japan visa for more details.

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Who is required to apply for Japan tourist visa?

The following nationalities are required to apply for a tourist visa from the embassy to travel to Japan.

• Nationalities that are NOT visa-exempt (currently, 74 countries are visa-exempt)
• Nationals that are NOT eligible for Japan eVisa (currently, nationals and residents of 9 countries are eligible to apply for eVisa online)

North Korean nationals are not eligible for Japanese visas and are always denied entry.

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What are the required documents for single-entry visa?

The following are the required documents for a Japan single-entry visa for individual tourists (not on organized tours through travel agencies):

1. Passport valid for the duration of stay (must have at least two blank pages)
2. One passport-size photo taken within the last 6 months
3. Completed Visa Application Form (download it here and use Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out the application form digitally, then print it and stick the passport photo)
4. Flight itinerary (no need to buy flight tickets, dummy tickets will work)
5. Hotel bookings (no need to book non-refundable; refundable or pay-at-check-in will work)
6. Bank statement (past 3 months)
7. Income tax returns (past 3 years)
8. Day-by-day itinerary in Japan in a specific format (download it here and use Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill it out digitally, then print it)

The documents may vary depending on the receiving embassy or agency, and you may be requested to submit additional ones.

Additional documents required for Philippine nationals

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if married)

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What are the required documents for multiple-entry visa?

Multiple-entry visas are issued to independent tourists and their dependents only if certain conditions are met. The document list also varies depending on the nationality and conditions.

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Documents for multiple-entry visas for Indian nationals

Indian nationals applying for multiple-entry visas must submit the following mandatory documents and some additional documents.

1. Passport valid for the duration of stay
2. Passport-size photo
3. Completed visa application form

Additional documents, depending on their eligibility, are outlined below.

Eligibility 1: Indian tourists who have been to Japan at least 2 times in the last 3 years

1. Current or old passports that have Japan visas and entry-exit stamps from the last 3 years

Eligibility 2: Indian tourists who have been to (a) Japan at least 1 time (AND) (b) any G7 country* at least 1 time in the last 3 years

1. Current or any old passports that have Japan and G7 visas and entry-exit stamps from the last 3 years

What are the G7 countries? G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US

Eligibility 3: Indian tourists with sufficient financial capacity

1. Bank statements, income tax returns, stock investments, property ownership, inheritance, etc.

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Documents for multiple-entry visas for Indonesia, Mongolia, Philippines and Vietnam nationals

Indonesians with an ePassport: Indonesians with an ePassport who obtain a Visa Exemption Registration online or from a Japanese embassy or consulate in Indonesia are visa-exempt for 15 days

Tourists applying for multiple-entry visas must submit the following mandatory documents and some additional documents.

1. Passport valid for the duration of stay
2. Passport-size photo
3. Completed visa application form

Eligibility 1: Tourists who have been to Japan at least 1 time in the last 3 years

1. Current or old passports that have Japan visas and entry-exit stamps from the last 3 years
2. Proof of funds (bank statements and income tax returns)
3. Proof of employment (employment certificate)
4. Letter of explanation (cover letter)

Eligibility 2: Tourists who have been to (a) Japan at least 1 time (AND) (b) any G7 country* at least 1 time in the last 3 years

1. Current or any old passports that have Japan and G7 visas and entry-exit stamps from the last 3 years
2. Proof of employment (employment certificate)
3. Letter of explanation (cover letter)

What are the G7 countries? G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US

Eligibility 3: Tourists with sufficient financial capacity

1. Proof of employment (certificate of employment or employment letter)
2. Letter of explanation (cover letter)
3. Proof of sufficient funds (6 months of bank statements, income tax returns, stock investments, property ownership, inheritance, etc.)

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Documents for multiple-entry visas for Pacific Islanders*

Who are Pacific Islanders? Pacific Islanders are citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu

Pacific Islanders applying for multiple-entry visas must submit the following mandatory documents.

1. Passport valid for the duration of stay
2. Passport-size photo
3. Completed visa application form

Eligibility 1: Pacific Islanders who have been to Japan at least 1 time in the last 3 years

1. Proof of funds (bank statements and income tax returns)
2. Letter of explanation (cover letter)

Eligibility 2: Pacific Islanders with sufficient financial capacity

1. Letter of explanation (cover letter)
2. Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, income tax returns, stock investments, property ownership, inheritance, etc.)

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What are the photo requirements?

The passport photo must meet the following requirements.

• Taken within the last 6 months
• Must be of size 2 x 2 inch or 45 x 45mm
• In color against a plain white background
• Taken looking straight forward and the face is clearly visible
• On a good quality paper

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How much is the Japan tourist visa fee?

Single-entry visa: Japan tourist visa fee is 3,000 JPY for a single-entry, payable in the local currency of the embassy where you apply. This fee is lower for some countries, such as Indian nationals, who will pay approximately 800 JPY.

Multiple-entry visa: Japan tourist visa fee for a multiple-entry visa is about 6,000 JPY, payable in local currency of the country where the embassy is located. This fee is lower for some nationalities.

NOTE: For some nationalities, the visa fee is charged after the visa is approved or refunded if the visa is refused.

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How long is the processing time?

The processing time is 5 working days. This period starts after the embassy or the agency confirms that your application is complete.

In most cases, you can expect your visa to be issued within 5 working days to up to 2 weeks.

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How to apply for a Japan tourist visa?

Citizens and legal residents from the following countries must apply in person via an accredited agency or a visa application center. They may receive an eVisa instead of a sticker visa.

1. China (1)
2. Hong Kong
3. India
4. Indonesia
5. Macau
6. Mongolia
7. South Korea
8. United Arab Emirates
9. Vietnam (2)

Notes:

1. Chinese citizens living in China are the only ones eligible to apply through an agent and receive an eVisa. Other visa-required nationals residing in China are not eligible.
2. Vietnamese citizens living in Vietnam who are part of a packaged group tour organized by approved agencies. Independent Vietnamese travelers and other visa-required nationals living in Vietnam are not eligible.

Everyone else must apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over the area where you live. Which means you must apply at the embassy in your home country or the country where you are a legal resident. 

Applying for a Japan tourist visa at the embassy is usually a 5-step process.

Step 1: Gather all the necessary documents.

Step 2: Apply in person at the Japanese embassy or accredited agency. Some Japanese embassies or consulates allow you to apply via email.

Step 3: Remain available to reach – the embassy may request additional documents or an in-person interview.

Step 4: If your application is successful and your visa is issued, go back to the embassy or agency to collect your passport. If eVisa, you will receive it at your email.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee in cash in the local currency

If your application is rejected, you won’t be able to apply for a tourist visa again for the next 6 months unless there are major changes to your circumstances. There are no other penalties and there is no fee to be paid.

How to contact the Japanese embassy or consulate?

Check the website of your Japanese embassy. They have methods of contact listed on their websites.

Alternatively, reach out to the Japan visa information hotline at japan-visa@bricks-corp.com with your nationality or residence and inquiry.

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