Do I need a visa to visit Japan? (2023)

Do you need a visa to visit Japan as a tourist?

A passport and onward/return transportation ticket are required. Visas are not required for tourist/business stay of up to 90 days.

Beginning October 11, 2022, individual tourists may visit Japan. At that time, tourists with U.S. passports will no longer need visas for short-term visits (up to three months). Please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage for updated guidance on COVID19 travel requirements for entering Japan.

Japan has the world's most powerful passport, according to the Henley Report. This means that Japanese citizens can travel to most countries visa-free or with only an eVisa or a visa on arrival- depending from country to country.

In principle, foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan must be in possession of a valid passport and visa, the latter of which can be applied for and issued at an Embassy/Consulate-General of Japan before entry to the country.

You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan. You cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.

The time required from visa application to visa issuance is 5 working days from the day following the date of receipt of the application, provided that there is no particular problem with the content of application.

Individual tourists may visit Japan starting October 11, 2022. Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months.

Citizens of the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, ...

For a single-entry visa: 3,000 Yen. For a double-entry or multiple-entry visa: 6,000 Yen. For a transit visa: 700 Yen.

Is Japan a free country?

Japan is rated Free in Freedom in the World 2022, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.

Japan tourist visa requirements

Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and 2 blank pages. A completed visa application form. Provide a recent color passport photo and a certified copy of your birth certificate. If married, submit a marriage certificate (if issued within the last year.

The Japan visa requirements for Indians have become pretty straightforward, with typically a processing period of 4 working days at VFS Japan – the official visa application centre for the Japan Embassy in India.

A1: The period of validity of a single-entry visa (that becomes invalid as soon as once you enter Japan) is basically three months. Enter Japan within three months of the issuance of the visa. If you wish to postpone your travel for longer than three months, you will be required to make another visa application.

All travellers

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Japan has suspended its visa waiver system and all British Citizen and British National (Overseas) passport holders who do not already hold a valid re-entry permit must obtain a visa by applying in advance.

If you would normally need a visa to enter for Japan, you can transit without a visa only if: You have a confirmed onward ticket within the same calendar day. You stay within the international transit area of the airport. You have the necessary documents needed for the next country of destination.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

For travel after September 1, 2021, you must have a valid U.S. passport and a visa or an approved Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea. Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Korea for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain a K-ETA.

A17: There is no limit to the number of times you can enter Japan. However,, if you intend to stay in Japan for more than half of year (180 days) as “Temporary Visitor”, you might not be allowed to enter Japan since it may not be regarded as temporary visit.

As per some immigrant department of certain countries, you cannot reapply immediately after your visa application was rejected was because the conditions due to which it was refused will not change overnight. Hence, you can only reapply in most cases six months after the refusal of your visa application.

Can I enter Japan as a US citizen?

Until October 11, you will need an ERFS to visit Japan (unless you are entering on a kinship visa). Americans and Canadians living in their own countries who have an ERFS certificate can apply for a tourist visa to Japan using the eVISA system.

An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.

Stayed in Japan for 8 days, at least 50,000 balance in bank certificate. Applied for 15 days max – at least Php 70,000 available balance.

For travel to Japan, we recommend selecting a Rapid RT-PCR or Rapid NAAT Molecular test to avoid delays in receiving the Certificate of Testing.

The person must have been domiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively and must have had a valid status of residence throughout the prescribed period of time. The person must be 20 years of age or more, and of full capacity to act according to the law of his/her home country.

The world's most powerful passports

Japanese citizens now hold the most passport power, as they are able to enter 193 nations visa free, or with visa-on-arrival. South Korea and Singapore hold joint second place, with both countries' passports enabling their citizens to access 192 nations without restrictions.

According to rankings from Henley & Partners, a citizenship advisory firm, the U.S. passport ranks seventh in the world when it comes to access. Americans can get into 186 international destinations without applying for additional visas in advance.

The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.

Are visas open for Japan?

Currently, all foreign nationals who wish to newly enter Japan need to apply for a visa except for those with re-entry permit.

Japan Visa Requirements for all applicants

Japan Visa Application Form. Your passport. Passport-size picture. Flight itinerary.

2022 rankings

In the 2022 index, New Zealand is ranked most free overall, while North Korea is last. Hong Kong was ranked most free in economic liberty, while Norway was ranked most free in the social liberty category.

Japan is generally safe and is rated among the safest countries in the world. Reports of crime such as theft are very low and travellers are often stunned by the fact that locals leave belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars (though we certainly don't recommend it!).

Japan is known for everything from onsen hot springs and kabuki baths (dating to the 6th and 16th centuries, respectively) to all-night neon-lit dance parties, anime, and sushi boat restaurants, all of which are decidedly more modern.

Here's what they need to give you: Proof of Relationship. A letter from the person to be visited explaining their relationship to you plus other documents such as pictures, passport copies, etc. Invitation letter from the person you will visit.

I am thankful to you and your team and looking ahead for further processing of my petition. To be very true with you now i am not at all worried as I know I have you. Thank you once again , God bless you.

Visit the official visa website of the country of visit. Find the option of tracking the visa application status. Enter the acknowledgement number or passport number and the date of birth. Following that, enter the captcha code and click 'submit'.

Residents of Japan will need to fill out a letter of invitation and agree to a pledge to make sure the visitor complies with a quarantine, if any is required, and COVID-19 measures, such as social distancing or wearing a mask when necessary. They also need to confirm that the purpose of the visit is not tourism.

*Overstaying the permitted period of stay is punishable with an imprisonment, with/without hard labor, not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding three million yen.

Do I need a visa for Japan from UK 2022?

Japan tourist visa is not required for citizens of United Kingdom for a stay up to 90 days.

☐ Visas – Please check that your passport will be valid while you are in Japan and still be valid upon departure, but the remaining period of validity doesn't have to be six (6) months and that you have the relevant visa if required.

Fees must be paid for the issuance of visas. The fees are about 3,000 yen for a single-entry visa, 6,000 yen for a double-entry or multiple-entry visa, and 700 yen for a transit visa. Fees are collected in the currency of the country (region) in which the Embassy / Consulate General is located.

Individual tourists may visit Japan starting October 11, 2022. Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months.

The time required from visa application to visa issuance is 5 working days from the day following the date of receipt of the application, provided that there is no particular problem with the content of application.

Processing Time

In general, it takes 5 business days to issue a visa. Please note that it may take up to one month due to COVID-related restrictions. We do NOT have expedited services. *The Embassy recommends applying for a visa 1.5 months prior to your departure date.

Until October 11, you will need an ERFS to visit Japan (unless you are entering on a kinship visa). Americans and Canadians living in their own countries who have an ERFS certificate can apply for a tourist visa to Japan using the eVISA system.

Can a friend sponsor me to Japan?

With Guarantor

If your friend/relative in Japan will sponsor your trip, you may not be required to prove you could afford the trip. The burden shifts to your friend or relative. Guarantee letter. Must be issued within the past 3 months.

If you would normally need a visa to enter for Japan, you can transit without a visa only if: You have a confirmed onward ticket within the same calendar day. You stay within the international transit area of the airport. You have the necessary documents needed for the next country of destination.

For travel to Japan, we recommend selecting a Rapid RT-PCR or Rapid NAAT Molecular test to avoid delays in receiving the Certificate of Testing.

The person must have been domiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively and must have had a valid status of residence throughout the prescribed period of time. The person must be 20 years of age or more, and of full capacity to act according to the law of his/her home country.

Japan tourist visa is not required for citizens of United Kingdom for a stay up to 90 days.

All foreign citizens currently need a visa to enter Japan due to coronavirus-related visa exemption suspensions. In normal circumstances, citizens of certain countries can enter with Temporary Visitor status for limited periods of time (15 to 90 consecutive days) for tourism or business purposes.