VISA
VISA
For visa inquiries, please contact “Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information” or “Japan Visa Information Hotline” listed on the website of the Embassy/Consulate-General/Consular Office of Japan. You can find detailed information about visa on the website of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
1. Visa Application Procedures
- Prepare all the required documents.
- Inviting organization/guarantor must send the required documents to the visa applicant (NOT to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Diplomatic Mission of Japan). We encourage an inviting organization/guarantor to make a copy of them.
- Requirements for visa application may vary depending on the local situation/the purpose of your visit. You can find detailed information on the website of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan (Embassy, Consulate-General, or Consular Office) where you will submit your application.
- Once all the documents are ready, you may apply for a visa at the consular section of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence, at an accredited agency, or online, by the method specified by the Diplomatic Mission of Japan where you will submit your application (visa application cannot be made inside Japan.).
- It takes approximately one week to process the application, provided that all necessary requirements are met. Additional documents may be required on a case-by-case basis. It may take longer than usual to receive the result of the visa examination in case the Diplomatic Mission of Japan deems necessary to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo.
- The Diplomatic Mission of Japan or the accredited agency will notify the visa applicant of the result.
Short-Term Stay
(A stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities)
All nationals of the countries and regions listed below require a visa to enter Japan.
- Click on the nationality of the visa applicant traveling to Japan.
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- Procedure chart for short-term stay (tourism, business, visiting relatives, etc)
- 【Online application for the visit to Japan with tourism purpose (single-entry)】
- All foreign nationals/people who need to obtain a short-term visa to Japan AND currently reside in the following countries/region, are eligible to apply for a visa online: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A.
- Please check below for information on visa exempt countries.
- Countries and regions that do not require a visa to enter Japan
It is highly recommended to purchase international travel medical insurance for your trip to Japan. Overseas travel medical insurance helps you in case of emergency.
Work or Long-Term Stay
(If you do not meet the requirements for short-term stay, such as in cases where you intend to work in Japan for remuneration or stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you should, in principle, obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan before applying for a visa at the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence.)
- Procedure chart for long-term stays
- The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan
- Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening
Visa for Medical Stay
Visa Exemptions for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
2. About Visa
3. Visa Application Documents (download)
- (Note1) Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill in and print out the Visa application form
- (Note2) Company/personal seal on Letter of Guarantee and Letter of Invitation is no longer required.
- Visa Application Form
- English (PDF), Chinese (simplified) (PDF), Chinese (traditional) (PDF), Korean (PDF), Portuguese (PDF), Spanish (PDF)
- Letter of Guarantee (PDF)
- Invitation Letter (Single-Entry) (PDF)
- Invitation Letter (Multiple-Entry) (PDF)
- List of Visa Applicants (PDF)
- Overview of Company / Organization (PDF)
- Itinerary in Japan (PDF)
4. Frequently Asked Questions
- Tell me why you rejected my visa application.
- I want to go to Japan. Do I need a visa?
- I want to invite a foreign national to Japan. What procedures are necessary?
- What should I do to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
- The Certificate of Eligibility will not arrive by the time I apply for a visa. Can I still apply for a visa with its copy?
- As a “guarantor”, to what extent do I need to be responsible?
- more FAQ
5. Announcements
Newly introduced visas
- Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)
- Designated activities (Future Creation Individual, Spouse or Child of Future Creation Individual) (J-Find)
- Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)
Review on restrictions on new entry of foreign nationals into Japan
- Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
- Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Statistics for the Number of Visas
Relaxation of Visa Requirements
- Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Possession of Ordinary Passports(September 30, 2023)
- Signing of the Japan-Israel Working Holiday Agreement (April 28, 2023)
- Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the State of Qatar based on Ordinary Passport Registration System (April 2, 2023)
- Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the United Arab Emirates in Possession of Ordinary Passports (November 1, 2022)
Others
6. Inquiries about Visas Application
Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information
Address: Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0004
Phone: Navi-Dial: 0570-011000
(For some IP phones and calls from overseas, please call +81-3-5369-6577)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00 (except holidays)