Do I need a Visa to Visit Japan? Japan Tourist Visa Information

Traveling to Japan is an exciting trip, heading off to one of the most ancient cultures in the world. But as with all trips to foreign countries, there are certain requirements for visitors from different countries around the world. And for Japan, one of the most important things you will need is a Visa. This allows you to enter the country for a pre-specified number of days, depending on your reason for the visit and your country of origin. So here are the details for getting a visa for travel to Japan.

Latest News about Getting a Japan Visa in 2022

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions on entry to Japan, since the reopening of tourism in the country as of May 2022, all visa exemptions have been temporarily suspended, and all visitors now need to obtain a visa before traveling in order to enter Japan in its post-COVID environment.

There are also a series of mitigation requirements for entry into Japan, which are required to be completed before travel and before entry to Japan. Failure to complete these requirements may result in being refused entry to the country.

The Japanese Visa is one of the most important travel documents for your Japan tour.

Types of Visas in Japan for Foreign Travelers

Japan has a variety of visa types that can be applied for, and the application depends on the reasons for traveling to the country in the first place. These include:

Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are the most common type of visa for travel to Japan, and are required to be obtained from the Embassy or Consular Office in the traveler’s country of origin prior to departure. A temporary visa for stays of up to 90 days, the tourist visa can be applied for as a double-entry visa that allows the traveler to return for a second trip with the six months validity period, as long as the total travel time does not exceed 90 days. As of this time, a visa is required for all tourists traveling to Japan, regardless of their country of origin.

Business Visa

Travelers going to Japan for business purposes can get a business visa that allows a stay for up to 90 days. These are temporary visas and are valid for six months from the date of application approval. For those traveling for specific business purposes, Japan also has multiple entry visas available for those whose travel includes market surveys, business liaison, business talks, conferences, signing contracts, and after-sale service for machinery imported to Japan. There are different criteria for business visas to Japan,

Family Relate Visa

Family members of Japanese nationals or those with Japanese residency can stay in Japan for up to three months on a Family Visa. This has a different set of requirements to a tourist visa, and the family member in Japan must write a letter of invitation and provide financial information to confirm they are able to financially support their foreign relative for the period of the trip without aid from the government benefits. They also need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for their family member, which will be required as part of the visa application process, as well as documents proving the personal relationship to the traveler.

Other types of visas for Japan

Working Visa - This can grant a visa-approved stay of up to five years, and requires a business or company sponsor in Japan to apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan for a certificate of eligibility

Highly Skilled Professional Visa - This is another kind of work visa designed for professionals with advanced and specialized skills. This also requires a business or company to sponsor the application and obtain the certificate of eligibility for a visa of up to five years.

General Visa - This is designed for those intending to engage in cultural activities, such as research and study of Japanese culture for foreign museums and universities with research departments, and can be valid for stays of 3 months to 3 years.

Specified Visa - This is usually granted to the spouse or child of a Japanese national, and can be for up to five years at a time. The documents must also include proof of Japanese ancestry on application, for those applying as second-generation Japanese descendants that are registered as foreign nationals.

Diplomatic Visa - A Japan diplomatic visa can be granted only to individuals that are entering Japan as part of the diplomatic missions of foreign countries and consular offices hosted by the Japanese Government.

Official Visa - This is restricted only to the use by those on the official business of foreign governments that are not related to diplomatic mission offices and international organizations recognized by the Government of Japan for a period of stay of up o five years.

Which Countries Need a Tourist Visa for Japan?

Prior to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all countries, the nationals of 68 countries were permitted to enter Japan without the need to obtain a Visa in advance for periods of up to 90 days. However, since the visa exemption has been temporarily suspended, these 68 countries now need to obtain a visa in order to enter Japan.

Japan Tourist Visa Requirements in 2022

In order to successfully apply for a tourist visa for Japan, all applicants must be able to meet the following requirements:

A valid passport with at least six months validity and 2 blank visa pages
A completed Visa Application Form, which can be downloaded from the website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassy for your resident country.
A recent color passport-sized photo and a certified true copy of your original birth certificate.
Evidence of your intention to leave Japan at the end of your stays, such as your return or onward travel booking.
Proof of financial status demonstrating your ability to support yourself for the entirety of your stay and a certificate of your financial situation over the previous 6 months from your bank.
A complete itinerary of travel plans and hotel bookings for the duration of your stay.

How to Get a Japan Tourist Visa?

Steps to apply for Japan Tourist Visa

As of this time, in-person applications for visas are the only way to currently obtain a visa for travel to Japan. In certain countries, the requirements may be mailed to the Embassy or Consular Office, while in others, a visa service through an approved agent is required for the application. For the remainder of the countries, applicants are required to submit their applications in person to the Embassy or Consular Office in their country of residence.

Applicants need to submit their applications in person to the Embassy or Consular Office in their country.

Applicants must pay the fee in their local currency, relevant to the schedule of fees provided for by that country’s Japanese Embassy or Consular Office. Applications without paid fees will be returned as refused.

Once the application has been approved, the applicant will be provided with a date and time for collection of the visa and their passport, or the approved visa and their passport will be returned to them by how it was applied.

Can I get a Japan Visa online?

The E-Visa for Japan was meant to be launched in April 2020, but was postponed indefinitely after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many nations, this postponement is still ongoing, and travelers will still need to obtain their visa in advance from an embassy or consular office before travel.

However, as of 18 August 2022, the E-Visa was opened for Canadian and United States citizens for online application of visas.

Short-term stay visas are available for visa applications for Tourism, Business, and Visiting Relatives, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application process also requires registration to the “Entrants, Returnees Follow-Up System” (ERFS) for both Business and Tourist Visas.

Canadian and American applicants can make their online applications through the official Online Visa application page at www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index

Japan Tourist Visa Validity

For single-entry visas, the traveler can remain in Japan for a period of up to 30 days, and the visa is valid for a maximum period of 90 days from the date of issue. However, a double-entry visa permits two short trips of up to 30 days total within the 6-month validity period for this visa type.

Japan Tourist Visa Fees

The cost of a Visa for Japan comes to around 3,000 yen (US$ 22.00) for a single-entry visa, or 6,000 yen (US$ 44.00) for a double-entry visa.

However, these fees may vary depending on the nationality of the traveler and the departure location or country of residence.

A number of countries that were previously visa-exempt prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are now exempted from paying visa fees instead. These countries include the USA, Canada, Bangladesh, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, British Nationals Overseas (Hong Kong), Hong Kong S.A.R., Macao S.A.R., Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Suriname, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Lesotho, and Mauritius.

Conclusion

While the pandemic has disrupted the normal visa requirement for many tourists to Japan, the reopening of travel and the issuance of visas have made travel possible once more. And with visa fee exemptions for those nationalities that previously had visa exemptions, and the opening up of the E-Visa for American and Canadian citizens, the world’s access to Japan is open once more, and ready for travelers to discover this amazing culture and stunning country.