Do I need a visa to visit Japan? Explanation of countries that require it and how to apply for it
Foreigners may come to Japan for a variety of reasons, such as for sightseeing or work. Many people may want to know which countries require a visa to visit Japan and which do not. There are rules regarding the length of stay possible and how to apply for a visa. Please take a look at the following information on applying for a visa in Japan.
Countries that require a visa to visit Japan
Please see the table below for the main countries that require a visa to visit Japan. (Please note that the countries listed below are not all the countries that require visas.)
| area | home (i.e. hometown, home country) |
| Asian | India, Cambodia, North Korea, Nepal, Pakistan |
| Near and Middle East | Republic of Yemen, Republic of Iraq, Republic of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Lebanon |
| Africa | Republic of Uganda, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Zimbabwe |
| Europe | Russian Federation, Republic of Nauru |
Countries that do not require a visa to visit Japan
There are 68 countries in the world that do not require a visa to visit Japan. Many of you may feel that this is more than you expected.
Please see the table below for the main countries that do not require a visa to visit Japan.
| area | country name |
| Asian | Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau |
| North America | U.S.A., Canada |
| Central and South America | Argentina, Uruguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Suriname |
| Oceania | Australia , New Zealand |
| Europe | Iceland, Ireland, Andorra, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Netherlands, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, North Macedonia, Malta, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Romania, Luxembourg |
There are other countries in the table that are not listed above. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
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.
Due to the effects of the new coronavirus, all but a few countries are currently prohibited from entering the country. (As of February 11, 2022) Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for updates on whether or not a country falls under this category.
Period of stay in Japan for foreign nationals
The period of stay for a foreigner in Japan is 90 days in most countries for a short-term stay. However, there are exceptions in some countries. The following is a list of countries with exceptions.
- Indonesia and Thailand...15th
- Brunei is... 14th.
- United Arab Emirates ... 30 days
How to apply for a visa to go to Japan and required documents
The visa application process and required documents to visit Japan vary from country to country.
It also depends on the purpose of your stay.
For more information, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Reference:https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/visa/index.html#section1
In this issue, we will introduce the application flow for both short-term and long-term stays. Once the applicant has made plans to travel to Japan, he/she will move on to prepare the necessary documents.
In most cases, the following documents are required
- passport
- application form for a hearing
- Photo
- Other documents
Once you have prepared the necessary documents, you should apply at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate general where you live. Then, after the examination, you will go to pick up your passport. Once the examination certificate is issued, please enter Japan within 3 months.
In this issue, we will introduce the necessary documents for application by Chinese nationals for a short-term stay in Japan for short-term commercial purposes, so please refer to the following for reference.
What the applicant must prepare for a short-term stay for short-term commercial purposes
(1) Visa application form (designated form available): Fill in detailed personal information such as name, date of birth, purpose of stay, etc.
(ii) Photograph (*taken within the last 6 months)
Passport (passport)
(4) Copy of household account book
(5) Residence card (former temporary residence card) or certificate of residence (if the applicant does not have permanent domicile within the jurisdiction of the Japanese embassy/consulate general where the application is to be made)
6) Certificate of employment
(7) Copy of business license of the company to which you belong
(viii) Copy of ratification letter of affiliation (*in case of joint venture)
(*7) and (8) can be any of the above.Documents to be prepared on the Japanese side by the inviting organization and guarantor organization
(1) Letter of Reason for Invitation (designated form available): Enter personal information such as the name and address of the inviting party, personal information of the visa applicant, purpose of the invitation, history of the invitation, and relationship with the applicant.
Reference and citation: Outline of the procedure for applying for a temporary visitor visa with primary validity (for Chinese nationals) https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000472938.pdf
(2) Guarantee of identity (designated form available)
(iii) Schedule of stay (designated form available)...Fill in the schedule of activities, contact information, accommodation, etc.
(4) Documents related to the inviting organization (one of the following documents: certified copy of corporate registration / copy of the latest edition of the Quarterly Journal of Corporations / company/organization profile / guidebook or pamphlet)
As you can see, depending on the purpose of your stay and the country, you may need to apply for various documents when you need a visa, so please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website carefully.
summary
Please refer to the following notes on obtaining a visa to stay in Japan.
- There are 68 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.
- It is advisable to check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest information, as the advisability of travel changes under the influence of the new coronavirus.
- 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 in order to stay in Japan. If you have any questions, please contact the contact listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This article is based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. We hope you have a better understanding of visa application in Japan.
