Japan offers visa exemption to 74 nationalities with stays up to 90 days. Nationals and residents of 9 countries can obtain a Japan eVisa online. Everyone else must obtain a sticker visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate in the country where they legally reside.
Nationals and residents of 9 countries are required to apply for the visa through an accredited agency, and they may receive an eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport.
All visitors must hold passports valid for the duration of stay, have proof of onward travel, and enter via approved ports.
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Japan Visa Policy
Nationals from 74 countries can travel to Japan VISA-FREE. Most can stay up to 90 days. Some require an exemption approval online or from the diplomatic mission.
Nationals (unless exempt) and residents from 9 countries can apply for an eVisa online. Nationals from 9 other countries residing in their respective countries and foreign nationals residing in those countries receive eVisas. They’ll have to lodge the application using an accredited agency. The eVisa allows stays for up to 90 days.
Everyone else must obtain a regular tourist visa from a Japanese overseas mission before traveling.
Japan does not offer Visa on Arrival (VOA).
Below is a summary of available visa types for tourists.
| Visa Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa-Free | 74 countries are eligible to travel to Japan Visa-Free |
| eVisa (online) | Nationals (unless exempt) and residents of 9 countries are eligible for eVisa online |
| Toursit visa (via agency, may receive eVisa) | Nationals of 9 countries residing in their respective countries and foreign nationals residing in these countries must apply via accredited agencies |
| Tourist Visa (via embassy/consulate) | Those not eligible for Visa-Free or eVisa must obtain Tourist Visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate |
Minimum passport validity required to enter Japan
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. For example, if you are allowed to stay in Japan for 90 days, then your passport must be valid for at least 90 days on the day of arrival.
Your passport must also contain at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps.
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Visa Exemption (VISA-FREE)
Nationals of 74 countries are visa-exempted to travel to Japan. 70 countries are allowed to stay 90 days, and the remaining 4 countries are allowed to stay 15 to 30 days, depending on the nationality.
There are additional requirements for some nationalities, such as requiring an ePassport and exemption approval either online or from the Japanese mission.
This list and additional requirements change from time to time. I will update the list and requirements twice a year, so bookmark this article and refer to it before planning your trip.
90-day entry (extendable up to 180 days)
- Austria
- Germany
- Ireland
- Liechtenstein
- Mexico
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
The above nationalities are eligible to extend their stay for an additional 90 days to a total of up to 6 months. Extensions must be applied at the Regional Immigration Bureau within Japan.
90-day entry (non-extendable)
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil (must be ePassport)
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Montenegro (must be ePassport)
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama (must be ePassport)
- Paraguay (must be ePassport)
- Peru (must be ePassport)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia (must be ePassport)
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Taiwan (must contain Personal ID number)
- Turkey
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates (must be ePassport)
- United States
- Uruguay
30-day entry
- Brunei
- Qatar (require visa exemption registration)
15-day entry
- Indonesia (require visa exemption registration)
- Thailand (must be ePassport)
Visa Exemption Registration for Indonesian and Qatari nationals
Indonesian and Qatari nationals holding ePassports must apply for Japan Visa Exemption Registration online or at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country before the trip. If they don’t hold an ePassport or their application for Visa Exemption Registration is refused, they must apply for a regular visa.
Visa Exemption Registration obtained online is valid for 3 years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever is earlier. Visa Exemption Registration is multiple-entry.
Documents to carry when entering on visa exemption
Even though you are visa-free, you must still carry certain minimal documents to meet the entry requirements
- Passport valid for the duration of stay
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of stay (cash or cards are sufficient)
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Japan eVisa (online)
All nationals and residents from below 9 countries are eligible to apply for the Japan eVisa online. Citizens of some of these countries below are already visa-exempt; they don’t need to apply for eVisa.
- Australia
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- United States
eVisa details
- Only for tourism and must enter via air or sea
- Valid for 3 months, single-entry only
- Duration of stay up to 90 days
- Fee 3,000 JPY or equivalent, payable online (some nationalities pay less or exempt)
- Processing takes 5 days to issue, but it could sometimes take longer
Documents required
What documents are required depends on your nationality and residence. These are the most commonly asked documents, but check on the eVisa portal online for an exact list.
- Passport scan
- Color picture taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of immigration status (example, Permanent Residence Card or Visa if applicable)
- Flight itinerary (you don’t have to buy the tickets in advance; an itinerary from an airline is sufficient)
- Travel itinerary (must be specific format, download eVisa travel itinerary template here)
- Recent bank statement
- Proof of current residential address (example, driver’s license, state ID, utility bill, or lease agreement)
- Visa for the country you will visit after Japan (unless it’s your own country)
Application procedure
Applying online is incredibly simple. You can check out this video from Japan’s MOFA or follow the steps below.
- Go to the Japan eVisa portal
- Register an account
- Fill out the application and upload the necessary documents
- Wait for your documents to be examined. You may be asked to submit additional documents. You will receive an email inviting you to pay when this step is complete.
- Pay online or in person
- After the eVisa has been issued, log in and make sure you can show the “Visa Issuance Notice” on your smartphone.
There’s no need to print any documents. On the contrary, you must show the visa on a digital device. Screenshots are not accepted either.
At the border, show the visa issuance notice with the QR code.
Once inside the country, you will receive an email saying your eVisa has expired. Don’t panic. This means you cannot use it to enter Japan again. You are allowed to stay up to 90 days in Japan.
Read this Japan eVisa step-by-step guide for more in-depth information on eVisa requirements, processing times, and the step-by-step application process.
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Japan Tourist Visa
Everyone who’s not visa-exempt must obtain a visa to travel to Japan. If the eVisa isn’t an option, then you must obtain a tourist visa from a Japanese embassy or an accredited agency.
Tourist visas are mostly single-entry. The term of stay can be either 15, 30, or 90 days from the date of entry. The visa itself is valid for 3 months for a single entry and up to 5 years for multiple entries.
Nationals and residents from the following countries must apply for the visa in person via an accredited agency. They may receive an eVisa instead of a visa sticker in the passport.
- China (1)
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Macau
- Mongolia
- South Korea
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam (2)
Notes:
- 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.
- 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.
Requirements
The requirements for a tourist visa may differ depending on your nationality and the embassy you apply from.
The documents required depend on your nationality and residence. The most commonly required documents are as below.
- Passport valid for the duration of stay, with at least 2 blank pages
- Passport-size photo taken within the last 6 months
- Completed Visa Application Form
- Flight itinerary (no need to buy flight tickets, dummy tickets will work)
- Hotel bookings (no need to book non-refundable; refundable or pay-at-check-in will work)
- Bank statement (past 3 months)
- Income tax returns (past 3 years)
- Detailed, day-by-day itinerary in Japan.
The visa costs 3,000 JPY or equivalent in local currency. It’s less for certain nationalities.
For further reading, check out the Japan Tourist Visa article for details such as when to apply, photo requirements, and the application process.
Benefits of Japan tourist visa
Japan’s tourist visa is becoming a strong visa these days. That means Japanese visas come with added benefits such as VISA-FREE travel to many other countries. Read the VISA-FREE countries for Japan visa article for more details.
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Transiting in Japan
Not leaving the airport
If you are not already visa-exempt, you can transit in Japan without a visa only if:
- You stay within the international transit area of the airport
- You have the necessary documents needed for the next country of destination
- You have a confirmed onward ticket:
- within 72 hours for Tokyo Haneda Airport or Kansai Airport (Osaka)
- within the same calendar day for all other airports
Transit Visa
If you intend to pass through immigration and enter Japan for a short period, you must obtain a transit visa.
The requirements and procedures for obtaining transit visas are identical to regular tourist visas.
The main differences are in cost and duration of stay. The transit visa costs 700 JPY and is issued for a maximum of 15 days, but usually just 2-3 days until your next flight.
Japan Shore Pass
If you are transiting in Japan for less than 72 hours and you have a connecting flight that’s NOT on the same day, you may be able to obtain the Japan Shore Pass.
The application for it is usually done by the airline, so it’s best to consult them.
To be eligible for the shore pass, you must arrive and depart from airports and seaports within the same group.
- Group A:
- Airports: Narita, Haneda, Nagoya, Niigata, Komatsu, Yokota.
- Seaports: Tokyo, Yokohama, Niigata, Nagoya.
- Group B:
- Airports: Osaka, Nagoya, Komatsu.
- Seaports: Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya.
- Group C:
- Airports: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Naha, Kadena.
- Seaports: Hakata, Shimonoseki, Naha.
- Group D:
- Airports: Chitose.
- Seaports: Tomakomai, Otaru, Hakodate, Muroran.
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Entry Procedure at the Airports
You will have to complete Visit Japan Web online before or up on arrival. It’s not mandatory. Instead of paper forms, you will show QR codes.
If you got the eVisa, show your visa issuance notice on a smartphone. Otherwise, just your passport. Get a stamp and enjoy Japan.
Credits: Maps are made with mapchart.net
