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Citizens of some countries do not need a Japan visa for short-term purposes such as travel and business in Japan. But regardless of their home country, all citizens must apply for a proper visa for long-term goals depending on the purpose of the journey, such as studying and working.

What is the Japan visa application process?

The Japan visa is issued only through embassies and consulates. The general procedure for applying for a Japanese visa is as follows:

1. You must first find the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.
2. Prepare the necessary documents.
3. Apply for a Japanese visa.
4. If all the steps are completed correctly and the documents are approved, a Japan visa will be issued.
If you are applying for a long-term Japanese visa, you need a document called a Certificate of Eligibility. The Japan Immigration Office issues this certificate.
You will receive a landing permit as soon as you arrive in Japan. Obtaining this permission will invalidate your visa.

1. You must first find the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.

As mentioned, you must first contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.  Investigate the requirements, opening and closing hours, and how to make an appointment. If you can’t find a Japanese diplomatic mission in your country, you can:

  • Go to one of the branches of the Japanese Embassy in your neighboring countries or,
  • Go to one of the travel agencies so that they can submit your documents on your behalf.
    Some Japanese consulates or embassies only admit visa applications from travel agencies, not in person.

2. Prepare the necessary documents.

At this step, you must prepare all the necessary documents. Depending on the type of visa, you will need to provide different documents. But in general, these documents are required for all Japanese visas:

  1. Passport with at least two blank pages: It must be valid for at least six months from the time you arrive in Japan.
  2. Applicant’s photo: The photo’s dimensions must be the same size as the passport photo and must be taken in front of a white background.
  3. Japan visa application form
  4. Reserved flight tickets
  5. Information on financial status: Documents such as bank statements or letters of guarantee.
    If you have a sponsor or guarantor in Japan, they must present their documents before your submission.

3. Apply for a Japanese visa.

After preparing all the documents, you must submit them to the Japanese consulate or embassy. If you are going to apply through travel agencies, you must file your documents with them. In some cases, you may need to attend an embassy interview or provide further documentation.

4. Issuance of a Japan visa.

Once the visa processing is complete, you will need to go back to the embassy and get your passport back. If the documents are correct and the passport application is approved, the visa will be stamped inside the passport. After the issuance, you have to travel to Japan within three months.
You cannot apply for a Japan visa online. Japan planned to initiate an online visa application for the 2020 Olympics, but this did not happen due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is unknown when it will be launched.

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What is the Japanese Certificate of Eligibility?

Everyone who intends to travel to Japan for long-term purposes, such as employment, must obtain a certificate of eligibility. For this purpose, a person in Japan must submit this request on behalf of you. These people can be your:

  • Employer if you intend to apply for a work visa
  • University if you are applying for a student visa.
  • Relatives who live in Japan.
  • Legal representative.

The purpose of issuing this certificate is to facilitate the visa application process. This certificate determines that Japanese immigration services confirm that you can meet the requirements for entry into Japan. However, this certificate is not the same as the visa but is a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.

What is a landing Permit?

When you enter Japan, your visa and documents will be checked first, and then you will be issued landing permission. This permission replaces your visa and allows you to stay legally in Japan.
With the issuance of a landing permit, a single-entry visa is revoked. However, the multiple-entry visas that they have more validity will still be valid after the issuance of landing permits.

How long does it take to process a Japan visa application and issue a visa?

It takes five working days from the time you submit your application to the Japanese consulate or embassy until the final decision and visa issuance. In cases where you need to provide more documentation, the processing time will take longer. If they are forced to send your application for further evaluation in Tokyo, the processing time will be longer.

How much is the Japan visa price?

The cost of applying for a Japanese visa is as follows:

  • Single-entry visa: 3,000 Yen
  • Double-entry or multiple-entry visa: 6,000 Yen
  • Transit Visa: 700 Yen

In general, the cost of applying for a Japanese visa depends on the following factors:

  • Nationality
  • Visa type
  • Local currency

This fee is paid when the visa application is approved. If travel agencies apply for a Japan visa on your behalf, you will have to pay more for their services.

How long is a Japanese visa valid?

The validity of the visa is determined by the purpose of the trip and the number of entries issued:

  • Single-entry Japanese visa validity is up to 3 months.
  • The validity of multi-entry visas is between 1 and 5 years.

How to renew a Japan visa?

How to extend a Japanese visa depends on the type of visa you have. A Japanese tourist visa cannot be extended unless there is an emergency reason, such as an illness or an accident. You must apply for the extension 90 days before the visa expires. The visa extension application is sent to the local Immigration Office where you live, study, or work.

The following documents must be submitted to extend all Japanese visas:

  • Application for Extension of Period of Stay
  • Passport
  • Residency Card
  • Photo of the applicant, which must be in the dimensions of the passport photo
  • Prove the financial situation to cover the cost of living in Japan

Depending on the visa type, you will need to provide more documentation. All documents must be in A4 size paper. The cost of applying for a Japanese visa extension is 4,000 Yen. It takes two weeks to a month from when the immigration office receives a visa application to its approval.

What are the types of Japanese visas?

All Japanese visas fall into two general categories:

1. Short-term visas:

These visas are issued to foreigners entering the country for:

  • tourism,
  • business,
  • and recreational.

Holders of these visas should not be involved in any employment. Short-term visas are:

  • Japan e-Visa: This online visa is set to be issued in the future.
  • Tourist Visa: If you intend to travel to Japan for tourism purposes, you will need a Japan tourist visa. You must apply for another visa if you want to engage in paid activities. However, citizens of some countries are allowed to travel to this country without a tourist visa.
  • Business Visa: This visa is defined for those who intend to enter Japan for commercial purposes. With this visa, you can participate in conferences and negotiations or sign business contracts.
  • Transit Visa: Japanese transit visas are issued to citizens of countries that do not have a visa exemption. This visa is issued to those who enter Japan on their way to another country.

2. Long-term visas:

These visas are issued to those who intend to enter Japan to:

  • study,
  • work,
  • or join family members.

Long-term visas include:

  • Highly skilled professional working visa: These visas are for those with high professional skills. These visas are issued on a point-based basis and allow you to benefit from an extended stay. This visa is divided into two categories:
    • Highly skilled professional visa: Highly skilled foreign professional” refers to people with notable expertise and will be given the residence status as a Highly skilled professional.
    • Highly skilled foreign professional: This visa is for dependents of those who have a highly skilled professional visa
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  • Regular Working visa: These visas are for those who have specific jobs and intend to work in Japan. The validity of this visa can be 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, and 4 months. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a list of jobs that are eligible for a Japanese work visa. This list is as follows:
    • Professors: University professors and assistant professors
    • Artists: composers, poets, sculptors, etc
    • Religious workers: such as monks, bishops, missionaries, etc
    • Journalists: Editors, news cameraman, speakers, announcers, etc
    • Business managers
    • Legal/accounting services: Lawyers, public accountants, tax accountants
    • Medical services: Physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and so on
    • Researchers
    • Instructors: Teachers in primary, secondary, and high school
    • Engineer/ specialists in humanities/ international services
    • Intra-company transferee
    • Nursing care
    • Entertainer: Actor, musician, singer, dancer, sportsperson
    • Skilled labor
    • Specific skilled worker
    • Technical intern training
  • Japan Permanent Residency: immigrants who have lived in Japan for a long time are qualified for permanent residency. Obtaining Japan Permanent Residency will lead to many benefits for those who want to choose this country as their home country.
  • General visas: This visa is issued to people who intend to study, do an internship, or do some cultural activities in Japan.
  • Cultural activities: This visa is for people who want to do unpaid internships or study some activities such as the tea ceremony or Japanese flower arranging. This visa is valid for three months to three years.
  • Student visa: If you intend to study in Japan, you will need a student visa. A Japanese student visa is a long-term visa that requires an Eligibility Certificate.
  • Training visa: This visa is for people who do a training program, such as trainees in a local government. The visa validity is between three months to one year.
  • Dependent (family stays) visa: This visa is for family members of those who have long-term visas, such as Japanese work visas. The validity of this visa is from three months to five years.
  • Specified visa: A Specified Visa is for the dependents of a Japanese national. The validity of this visa can range from six months to five years. The requirements of this visa are the same as those of the General Visa. This visa is issued to the following people:
    • Spouse or child of Japanese national
    • Spouse of permanent resident
    • People who have long-term resident
    • Designated activities: this visa is issued for people who want to do Designated activities in japan, such as people who want to come to Japan for a working holiday or paid internships.
    • Designated activities: For people who intend to stay in Japan for a long time for sightseeing and recreation.
  • Diplomatic visa: This visa can be given to people that will be involved in diplomatic tasks in Japan. The visa validity is determined by the period of your mission. The requirements of this visa are a valid passport, photo, and documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the applicant’s identity and the purposes of visiting Japan.
  • Official visa: This permission can be used for the official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Japan Government. The holders of this visa can stay from 15 days to 5 years in Japan.
  • Startup visa: A Japanese startup visa allows you to start your innovative business in this country.

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