Let’s have a look at Japan Visa Requirements. Take care of your Japan Visa in advance because there are no disclaimers if you don’t get it right.

Travel Visa To Japan

Citizens of many nationalities are entitled to enter Japan for short-term stays without a Japan Visa, for purposes of sightseeing, and for short business trips.

All visitors coming for a Tokyo vacation must possess a valid passport, onward or return tickets, and sufficient funds to cover the intended period of stay. Japanese are very strict about this, and these Japan Visa Requirements are checked at the Airport.

Some nationalities have “Japanese Visa Exemption Arrangements” and therefore do not need an entry permit.

Japan Visa Information: Japan Visa Requirements For Short Stays

Japan Visa Requirements To Travel

These countries DO NOT NEED a Japan Visa for Short stays:

Japan Visa US Citizen

For a period of 90 days or less, Japan Visa from the USA is not needed.

Japan Visa Exemption Other Nationalities

For a period of 6 months or less:
Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

For a period of 3 months or less:
Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Rep., El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uruguay.

For a period of 90 days or less:
Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Estonia, Hong Kong (BNO, SAR passport), Hungary, Rep. of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau (SAR passport), Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Slovak Rep., Taiwan, and the U.S.A.

For a period of up to 14 days:
Brunei

Countries not listed above, need to obtain a Japan Visa Form at an embassy or consulate.

The following documents must be submitted regardless of the purpose of your visit:

  1. Valid passport
  2. Two passport photos taken within the six months previous to the date of application.
    • Two official visa application forms, available at the embassy or consulate.
    • Documents certifying the purpose of the visit.

Since the type of documents required for the application may differ according to the purpose of your visit, please check with the Japanese embassy or consulate beforehand.

Work and Long-term Stays – If you wish to enter Japan for activities other than sightseeing – a long-term assignment to a Japanese company, participating in entertainment, foreign-language teaching, Japanese university or college education, or company training – a specified visa must be obtained.

Japan Visa Requirements For Work Visa And Long-term Stays

Planning to work or study in Japan? If you wish to enter Japan for activities other than sightseeing, such as living in Japan, studying in Japan, or working, you need a specific Japan Visa.

See More: Life in Japanese Culture

See More: Culture Of Japan: 10 Common Mistakes Westerners Do

To apply for a Japan Visa Application form you must contact a Japanese embassy or a consulate. The following documents must be submitted for a Japanese Visa regardless of the purpose of your visit:

    • A Valid passport
    • Two passport photos were taken within the six months previous to the date of application.
    • Two official application forms which are available at the embassy or consulate.
    • Documents certifying the purpose of the visit.

Since the type of Visa Japan Requirements may change according to the purpose of your visit, please check with the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country beforehand.

Tokyo Trip Checklist

  • To make sure you have all the important things covered see my first-time-in-Tokyo guide
  • Get your 1,2 or 3-day Tokyo Unlimited Subway Pass to easily get around Tokyo
  • If you want to travel on bullet trains you can save big with a Japan Rail Pass. Here’s why is worth it.
  • You’ll need a prepaid sim or Portable WIFI to stay connected in Tokyo.
  • Check out my detailed Tokyo packing list to make sure you’re prepared.
  • The best site to book hotels in Tokyo is almost always Booking.com. And remember to book early, especially during busy times.
  • For travel insurance (which you need) Word Nomads offer great coverage in Japan and are highly recommended.

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