Japan Visa

If you're coming to Tokyo as a tourist, your Japan visa is pretty easy for many nationalities to organize.

If you're planning on staying a little longer or want to work, then your visa for Japan needs a little more thought and preparation. We'll walk you through the basics and provide you with the links you'll need to gather any extra info required.

Your Passport

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Before you even think about your Japan visa, the first thing you're going to need is a passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay in Tokyo.

I know it sounds daft to say this but just check when you passport runs out if you're planning on going away - it's amazing how many people have been caught out by this!

There are a number of different types of visa available for Japan depending on the purpose of your visit. The most common ones are:

If you're coming to Tokyo on vacation then it's the tourist Japan visa that you're looking for.

Tokyo Immigration Essentials

There are certain procedures at immigration that can be a little disconcerting if you're not expecting them. See what we mean on our Tokyo Narita Landing Procedures page.

It's also important to note that for Japanese immigration, you need to be able to prove your onward travel arrangements so a return onward flight or other ticket is required. If this is asked for and you don't have it you can be turned away to leave the country. Not what you want to happen!

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Tourist Visa for Japan

japan-visa-landing-permission-stamp

In February 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed 62 countries that have tourist visa requirements waived. What that means to you is if you are a national of any of the following countries, you don't need to worry about getting a Japan visa if you're visiting Tokyo on holiday. Ok, if you're on this list you don't need to worry about any paperwork!

6 Months Or Less Landing Permission
Latin America And Caribbean - Mexico
Europe - Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom

For nationals who are eligible for the 6 months or less landing permission stamp, be aware that when you first land what you will actually get is the 90 day stamp. If you want to extend it to the 6 months, you have to go to your nearest Japanese immigration office in Japan and apply. If you're in Tokyo, its the Tokyo Immigration Center that you need.

3 Months Or Less Landing Permission
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Asia - Singpore
North America - Canada
Latin America And Caribbean - Argentina, Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Suriname, Uruguay
Middle East - Israel, Turkey
Africa - Lesotho, Mauritius, Tunisia
Europe - Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Netherland, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
90 Days Or Less Landing Permission
Asia - Hong Kong (BNO, SAR passport), Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Macau (SAR passport)
North America - U.S.A
Latin America And Caribbean - Barbados
Oceania - Australia, New Zealand
Europe - Andorra, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, Poland, Slovakia

Be careful to check how long your landing permit is valid for and what day you need to leave. 90 days is not the same as 3 months. Don't get caught out by it!

If you intend to stay for longer than the period allowed on a tourist visa, if you intend to earn money by any means, or if you wish to study, you must check the individual requirements for your country. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan visa section for more information.

Please always confirm this information with your travel agent or with the Embassy or Immigration Bureau in case there have been any changes. We do our best to keep on top of these things but it's always better to double check.

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