Some countries require a visa to enter Japan, while others do not! Explanation of how to apply, etc.
Foreigners visit Japan for a variety of reasons, but sightseeing and work are the main ones. Did you know that some countries require a visa to enter Japan, while others do not?
In this article, in addition to information on countries that require and do not require visas to enter Japan, we will detail important points you need to know, such as how to apply for a visa and how long you can stay in Japan.
Please also see the following article for a detailed explanation of the visa requirements for entering Japan for tourism purposes.
▶︎ Do I need a visa just for sightseeing? Explanation of when you need a tourist visa for Japan and how long it takes!
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Countries requiring a visa to enter Japan
Some countries require a visa to enter Japan. Please check the table below to see if your country falls into this category.
However, these are just some of the countries that require visas, so we recommend that you check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most up-to-date information for details.
| area | home (i.e. hometown, home country) |
|---|---|
| Asian | China |
| India | |
| Pakistan | |
| Sri Lanka | |
| Bangladesh | |
| Africa | Nigeria |
| Ethiopia | |
| Egypt | |
| Middle East | Iran |
| Iraq | |
| Syria | |
| Central and South America | Cuba |
| Bolivia | |
| Europe | Russia |
| Ukraine | |
| Belarus |
If you are a resident of one of the above countries and are considering entering Japan, we recommend that you prepare well in advance, as you will need to apply for a visa in advance.
Countries that do not require a visa to visit Japan
On the other hand, there are a number of countries that allow visa-free entry into Japan: as of April 2024, there are 71 countries in the world. Many people may be surprised to find that more countries fall into this category than they had expected.
The main countries are listed in the table below for your reference.
| area | home (i.e. hometown, home country) |
|---|---|
| Asian | Indonesia |
| Singapore | |
| tai (species of reddish-brown Pacific sea bream, Pagrus major) | |
| Malaysia | |
| Korea | |
| Taiwan | |
| Hong Kong (China) | |
| Macau | |
| North America | United States of America |
| Canada | |
| Central and South America | Argentina |
| Mexico | |
| Brazil | |
| Chile | |
| Barbados | |
| Europe | Italy |
| The Netherlands | |
| Switzerland | |
| Sweden | |
| Germany | |
| Ireland | |
| Austria | |
| Spain | |
| France | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Middle East | United Arab Emirates |
| Israel | |
| Africa | Tunisia |
| Mauritius |
There are other countries in the table that are not listed above. For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs'Home Pagefor more information.
There is also a note of caution regarding countries that do not require a visa to enter Japan. Please note that if you are staying in a country or region that requires a visa within 14 days of applying for landing, you will not be allowed to enter Japan unless there are special circumstances.
How to apply for a visa to enter Japan and required documents
The visa application procedures and required documents for entering Japan vary from country to country and depending on the purpose of your stay.
Once the applicant has made plans to travel to Japan, he/she will move on to preparing the necessary documents. In most cases, the following documents are required
- passport
- visa application form
- Photo
- Other documents according to the purpose of stay
Prepare necessary documents
The documents required for application vary depending on the applicant's nationality and purpose of stay. First, check the documents required for you, and make sure to prepare them in a thorough manner. Please note that incomplete documents may result in a lengthy screening process and, in some cases, rejection of your application.
Apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate general.
Once the required documents are ready, the application is submitted at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate general in the applicant's place of residence. After the examination, the applicant will go to pick up his/her passport. Once the visa is issued, you must enter Japan within 3 months from the date of issuance, so please be careful with your travel schedule.
Example: For a short-term stay for a person from China
The following are examples of documents required for visa applications for Chinese nationals entering Japan for short-term business purposes.
Documents to be prepared by the applicant:.
- Visa application form (designated form available)
- Photograph (taken within the last 6 months)
- passport
- photocopy of a door-to-door record
- Residence card (former temporary residence card) or certificate of residence
- certificate of employment
- A copy of the business license of the company to which you belong
- Copy of ratification of affiliation (for joint ventures)
- 7, 8 can be either
Documents to be prepared on the Japanese side by the inviting organization and guarantor organization
- Letter of Reason for Invitation (designated form available)
- Letter of Guarantee (designated form available)
- Schedule of stay (designated form available)
- Documents related to the inviting organization (certified copy of registration, company brochure, etc.)
For more information, please also refer to the following links
Period of stay in Japan for foreign nationals
The length of stay a foreigner can stay in Japan depends on the type of visa.
Most countries allow a stay of up to 90 days for a short-term visa. Please note, however, that there are exceptions in some countries and the differences are as follows
- Indonesia, Thailand: within 15 days
- Brunei: within 14 days
- United Arab Emirates: within 30 days
On the other hand, long-term visas allow for stays of various lengths, such as one, three, or five years, depending on the type of visa. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of your visit, such as study, work, or family stay, so it is important to choose the visa that best suits your purpose of travel.
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summary
In this article, we have introduced countries that require and do not require a visa to enter Japan, how to apply for a visa, and the possible length of stay. Important points to note about obtaining a visa to stay in Japan are as follows
- There are 71 countries that do not require a visa to stay in Japan.
- The period of stay for a short-term stay in most countries is 90 days, but note that there are exceptions.
- Check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan carefully for documents required for travel. There are many documents in designated forms, so please fill them out carefully.
The purpose of your trip to Japan may vary. Please check carefully how to apply for a visa and what documents are required for your stay in Japan. If you have any questions,Foreign Resident Assistance Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of JapanPlease inquire with the
Applying for a visa may seem complicated, but if you prepare well, your trip to Japan should go smoothly. We hope you have a wonderful time in Japan.
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