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Updated April 2023

Japan, a country known for its distinctive culture and wonders, has taken steps to make travel more convenient by implementing the e-visa system. Travelers from Saudi Arabia and other eligible countries can now easily 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.

If you’re a Saudi resident looking to travel to Japan, here is everything you need to know about the Japan tourist e-visa for Saudi residents.

Table of Contents

Do Saudi residents need a visa to Japan?

Yes, Saudi residents need to obtain a pre-arranged visa before visiting Japan. The Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia has confirmed that all nationalities residing in Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply for a single-entry tourist visa through the JAPAN eVISA website.

The e-visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days and is valid for three months from the date of issuance. If Saudi residents require other types of visas, they must apply for them at the nearest Japanese Embassy, Consulate General, or Consular office.

Please note that the e-visa cannot be used for activities that involve earning income, such as operating a business or receiving remuneration.

Japan Launches New e-Visa System for Residents of UAE and Saudi Arabia

Japan e-visa for Saudi residents

The JAPAN eVISA system is an online service that allows applicants to apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa. The Japan eVisa is valid for three months from the day after its issuance. Saudi residents are advised to submit their applications at least seven days prior to their intended travel date to Japan.

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Japan e-visa application for Saudi residents

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 themselves, a letter of authorization stating that the visa application work is entrusted to the proxy should be submitted. Please note that the proxy 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 travelling 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

Please note that the Japan e-visa is not available to the following applicants:

applicants who have been convicted of a crime or offence, 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

Required documents

To apply for an online Japan tourist visa, Saudi residents must prepare the following documents:

passport
passport-type facial photo
itinerary with flight information
proof of financial ability to pay for expenses such as bank statement, certificate of annual income or salary certificate)
schedule of stay
parental consent form (may be requested)
letter of authorization (may be requested)

For third-country nationals, they can easily check the required documents on the Japan e-visa website.

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
in case 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 issued automatically and will be sent to your registered e-mail address

Please note that applicants are required to 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

As a general rule, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan (MOFA) issues visas within 5 working days after receiving all the required documents.

For single-entry visa issuance, the Embassy of Japan in Riyadh charges SAR 80. Applicants can pay the fee in cash by visiting the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate General.

Status check

After logging in to the visa application list page, applicants can track the status of their e-visa application under “applicant information.” They should wait until the status changes and a notification is sent accordingly.

Japan e-visa issuance notice for Saudi residents

Applicants travelling to Japan on an e-visa are required to 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 screenshots of the page will not be accepted. You can find out 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 screenshots of the page will not be accepted. You can find out the detailed procedure to display the “visa issuance notice” here.