Japan e-visa 2024: How to Apply for the Online Visa to Japan?

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate. 

Updated July 2024

Japan, known for its distinctive culture and wonders, has made travel more convenient by implementing the e-visa 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.

Continue reading this Wego article for everything you need to know about the Japan e-visa, its application process, eligible countries, processing time, fees and more.

Japan e-visa latest news

While citizens of the UAE can visit Japan without a visa, residents of the UAE require visas. However, Japan has temporarily halted its e-visa system, which was previously available to UAE residents. Now, the only option is to apply through consulates, but there is a notable delay and difficulty in securing appointments.

Applicants are required to email the consulate between 8am and 10am on weekdays. If the appointment is confirmed, the consulate will respond by 4pm with an appointment for the following day. If no response is received, applicants should resend their request the next day. According to the consulate’s guidelines, applications will be declined if the travel date is more than 3 months or less than 2 weeks from the application date.

What is Japan e-visa?

The Japan e-visa is an electronic visa that allows eligible applicants to stay in Japan for a short-term stay of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. It is a single-entry visa and is qualified.

With the Japan e-visa, you can explore cultural heritage, conduct business activities, seek medical treatment, visit family, and attend events. However, it doesn’t allow work, long-term studies, overstaying, or unauthorized activities. Adhering to these terms and conditions is crucial to ensuring a compliant and smooth experience during your stay in Japan.

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Japan e-visa 2024 eligibility

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:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• Canada
• 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 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:

 

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

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 official website.

Ensuring you submit all the required documents is essential, as incomplete submissions may lead to visa rejection.

To give you an idea of the documents that can be required, here is the list of required documents for the Japan e-visa according to the Consulate General of Japan on Dubai’s website:

• Passport copy
• Recent passport photo –  the photo must be taken within six months
• Emirates ID copy (front and back)
• Itinerary with flight information
• Schedule of stay – entry and departure dates
• Hotel information
• Certificate of employment of the applicant
• Bank statement of at least three months

Photo requirements

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
• the photo must be a clear shot of your face horizontally centered

Japan e-visa 2024 validity

The Japan e-visa is valid for three months from the next date of issuance. It grants a single entry with a maximum period of stay of 90 days.

Japan e-visa 2024 application process

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 e-visa 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

Application process

• first, verify the type of visa necessary to visit Japan and find out the documents required to submit here
• visit the 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.

Japan e-visa 2024 processing time

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). However, the processing period may be longer depending on the number of applications received.

Japan e-visa 2024 fees

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 or the Japanese overseas establishment where you are applying.

Japan e-visa 2024 tracking status check

You can monitor your application status under “Application information” on the “Visa application list” page. Status updates will be sent via notification emails. Here are the possible statuses:

• Application not made: Not submitted yet.
• Application in progress: Sent to Japanese overseas establishment.
• Temporarily received: Reached overseas establishment, pending processing.
• Under examination: Being processed by an overseas establishment.
• Fee payment: Examination done, fee payment pending.
• Issued: e-visa issued via JAPAN e-visa.
• Additional data materials registered: Uploaded documents recorded (withdrawal not available).
• Refused: Application denied.
• Cancelled: Application canceled.
• Withdrawal request made: Withdrawal requested.
• Withdrawn: Application withdrawn.
• Expired/Invalid: e-visa expired or invalid upon arrival.

Japan e-visa 2024 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 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.