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Updated May 2023
Japan, known for its distinctive culture and wonders, has made travel more convenient by implementing the eVisa system. Travelers from eligible countries can now quickly obtain the Japan e-visa for a short-term stay of up to 90 days for tourism purposes without the need to visit an embassy or consulate.
Here is everything you need to know about the Japan e-visa, its application process, eligible countries, processing time, fees and more.
Japan e-visa 2023
The Japan e-visa is an electronic visa that allows eligible applicants to stay in Japan for tourism purposes for a short-term stay of up to 90 days. The e-visa is a single-entry visa and is qualified. Applicants who enter Japan seven (7) days or later from the day of application can apply for the e-visa.
Please note that the Japan e-visa is not available to the following applicants:
- applicants who have been convicted of a crime or offense, deported, etc., in any country
- applicants with dual nationality (with Japan)
- applicants who will apply for a multiple-entry visa
- applicants who are not from one of the eligible countries/regions for the Japan e-visa
Book cheap flights to Japan
Eligible countries
All foreign nationals who are not subject to the visa exemption measures implemented by the Government of Japan and are nationals from the following countries/region are eligible to apply for a Japan e-visa:
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Mongolia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Please note that nationals or citizens from visa-free countries, including Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, are exempt from obtaining visas to Japan for short-term stay. However, nationals of Indonesia who reside in the countries mentioned above abundant may apply for the Japan e-visa, provided they do not possess a “visa waiver registration” (seal or in electronic form).
For more information regarding Japan visa-free travel, visit our dedicated article below:
Requirements
The required documents for the Japan e-visa vary depending on the applicant’s country/region of residence and nationality/citizenship. To find the necessary documents for your visa application, visit the Japan e-visa website.
Ensuring you submit all the required documents is essential, as incomplete submissions may lead to visa rejection.
Japan e-visa application
The process for applying for the Japan e-visa involves several steps. Please note that there are some prerequisites to take note of before proceeding with the e-visa application.
Application prerequisites
The following are some of the Japan eVisa prerequisites:
- if the application is made by a proxy instead of the applicant, a letter of authorization stating that the visa application work is entrusted to the representative should be submitted. Please note that the representative should download the “visa issuance notice” from the Japan e-visa website and hand it over to the applicant in data or printed-out paper format
- if the applicant is a minor and not traveling with their parents, a parental consent form should be submitted
- when uploading your facial photo, use photo data meeting the following conditions. Please note that if the facial photo uploaded is not appropriate, you may need to apply again at the request of the Japanese overseas establishment:
- photo must be taken within 6 months
- do not use a photo retaken from a passport, driver’s license, group photograph etc
Application process
- first, verify the type of visa necessary to visit Japan and find out the documents required to submit here
- visit the Japan e-visa website and register with your email address
- select ‘New Registration from the “Visa application list.”
- fill out the application form with all the required details carefully
- submit all the necessary documents
- the results of your visa application will be sent to your registered e-mail address
- pay the visa fees if necessary. The e-visa fees will be notified to you via e-mail to Japanese overseas establishments where you are applying
- If the email displays “payment required,” your e-visa will be issued after the payment. However, if your e-visa is free of charge, it will be published automatically and will be sent to your registered e-mail address
Please note that applicants must log into the Japan e-visa website and display the “visa issuance notice” at the departure airport on the screen of their mobile devices, that is, smartphone, tablet or other devices. A PDF format or screenshots of the page will not be accepted.
Processing time & fee
Generally, visas for the Japan e-visa are issued within 5 working days after all required documents are submitted appropriately, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan (MOFA).
The visa issuance fee for a single-entry visa to Japan is typically equivalent to 3,000 yen, as stated by MOFA. However, visa fees may be mutually exempted or reduced depending on the applicant’s nationality and the country/region they are applying from. For more information on specific fees and exemptions, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Japanese overseas establishment where you are applying.
Japan e-visa visa issuance notice
Applicants traveling to Japan on an e-visa must log into the Japan e-visa website and display the “visa issuance notice” at the departure airport on the screen of their mobile devices, that is, smartphone, tablet or other devices.
For applicants
To display the “visa issuance notice” at the departure airport, follow the steps given below:
- visit the Japan e-visa website and log into your account using your password and email address
- from the top, select “Visa application list” or click on “Page for displaying visa issuance notice.”
- select the box against the relevant person and click on “visa issuance notice (to display).”
- the “visa issuance notice” will appear on your device. Make sure to check if there is a countdown at the top right of the screen
Please note that a PDF format or page screenshots will not be accepted. You can find the detailed procedure to display the “visa issuance notice” here.
For proxy
If your application is made by a proxy, follow the steps given below to display the “visa issuance notice” at the departure airport:
- visit the Japan e-visa website and log into your account using your password and email address
- from the top, select “visa application list” or click on “page for displaying visa issuance notice.”
- select the box against the relevant person and click on “visa issuance notice (PDF),” and download
- please hand over the data or the printed-out “visa issuance notice” paper to the applicant
- after receiving the “visa issuance notice” from the proxy, please scan the QR-Code on your device
- you will find the webpage above. Please input your passport number and date of birth
- click on the “display” button
- the “visa issuance notice” will appear on your device. Make sure to check if there is a countdown at the top right of the screen
Please note that a PDF format or page screenshots will not be accepted. You can find the detailed procedure to display the “visa issuance notice” here.
