Japan visa policy

Japan visa policy states which nationalities need to obtain a visa, how long foreigners can stay in the country with the permit, and for what purpose. The rules and requirements that foreign visitors must fulfill in order to visit Japan are determined by it.

Nationals with visa exemptions can enter Japan for tourism or business for 15 to 180 days (as the time of stay depends on the country).

Approximately 180 regions and countries must apply for a regular visa to Japan. Currently, there is no visa on arrival to Japan. However, you have many options for stay purposes. You can travel for tourism, business, transit, studies, work, etc.

Note that a Japan online visa will be introduced soon, so it would be possible to submit an electronic application.

Besides, a valid passport is the most important document, so keep that in mind.

Who can enter Japan?

Only eligible travelers may enter Japan – they need to have a valid passport, a visa (if needed) or visa-exempt passport, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results, and then register with Visit Japan Web. Note that it is illegal to work or live in Japan without the required permit.

Entry Requirements for Japan

In order to go to Japan, visitors must obey the travel rules and regulations of the policy. Note that the requirements may change anytime, so it is recommended to check all the news from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before the trip.

Documents checklist for entering Japan

According to the travel requirements, the following documents are necessary to cross the Japanese border without problems:

• a valid passport
• a visa (if needed)
• COVID-19 vaccination proof or negative test
• a registration form from Visit Japan Web

Requirements can be changed anytime, so check all the news on governmental site.

Methods of Getting a Visa for Japan

In the near future, it would be possible to apply for Japan e-Visa, but now only a regular visa is available. To obtain it, the applicant must contact the nearest embassy, make an appointment and go to the interview, submit the documents, and wait for the confirmation.

A Traditional Visa to Japan

There are two types of traditional Japanese visas: for short stays that can be used for tourism, business, or transit. So if you travel to relax, sightsee, attend conferences and meetings, or want to transit through Japan, this option is perfect for you.

Also, it is possible to obtain long-term visas perfect for work, study, marriage, or highly skilled professionals. So if you seek employment in Japan, are an international student, intend to be married to a Japanese citizen, or are a student taking part in a Working Holiday Scheme agreement, you can apply for this Japanese visa type.

To submit a visa application, you need to find the nearest embassy or consulate, prepare documents, submit the application form, wait for the confirmation, and collect your visa. Note that you must have the Certificate of Eligibility (CEO) that can be obtained from an Immigration Office in case of a long-term visa.

Japan online visa

The Japan electronic visa, introduced in 2020, hasn’t been launched yet. It will be a tourist single-entry visa designed for eligible citizens allowing a limited stay in the country. Right now, we need to wait for some more details on the governmental website. To obtain this visa, mainly you should have a completed visa form, a valid passport for at least 6 months, and a covered fee. The process will be straightforward and intuitive.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Japan

You can find out what countries and regions require a visa to Japan and which ones don’t need to have one.

Countries eligible for a traditional visa:

• United Arab Emirates
• Afghanistan
• Anguilla
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Bahrain
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Cocos Islands
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Ivory Coast
• Cook Islands
• Cameroon
• China
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Christmas Island
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Micronesia
• Faroe Islands
• Gabon
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Gambia
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Guadeloupe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guam
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Indonesia
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• North Korea
• Kuwait
• Cayman Islands
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Sri Lanka
• Liberia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Montserrat
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• Niger
• Norfolk Island
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Nepal
• Nauru
• Niue
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• French Polynesia
• New Guinea
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Caicos Islands
• Chad
• Togo
• Tajikistan
• Tokelau
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• United States
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• British Virgin Islands
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• Mayotte
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Qatar
• Seychelles
• Palau
• Rwanda
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Martin
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Puerto Rico
• Jersey
• Curacao
• Cape Verde
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free countries list:

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bahamas
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• Iceland
• Italy
• South Korea
• Liechtenstein
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Monaco
• Macedonia
• Macau
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Poland
• San Marino
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Taiwan
• United States
• Uruguay
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Romania

Entry requirements for children

The entry rules for children are almost the same as for adults. They need to have a valid passport and a visa. When it comes to the COVID-19 restrictions, children who are below 18 years old and travel with fully vaccinated guardians are the exception.

Transit information

A transit visa is necessary for citizens from visa-required countries who plan to cross the transit zone at the airport. This visa type can be used only for a few days for tourism, sightseeing, or relaxation.

Also, it is possible to transit without a visa in case you have a confirmed ticket to the next destination, the necessary documents, and stay within the transit zone. Moreover, those who use Kansai International Airport and Tokyo International Airport, have an onward ticket and documents, and stay in the transit area, don’t need a visa.

Important information

• A regular visa to Japan is required for citizens who are not from the visa-exempt list.
• Japan electronic visa is not currently available but should be introduced soon.
• There is no visa on arrival to Japan.
• You can choose from the many types of a Japan visa according to the purpose of your stay.
• Generally, to visit Japan, ones must prepare a valid passport, a visa, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination/negative test.
• There are no additional requirements for children who travel to Japan. If they travel with a fully vaccinated guardian, they don’t need to show proof of vaccination.
• A transit visa is required if you are not from the visa-exemption country and intend to leave the transit zone at the airport.