Japan Visa

Japan is a rule-following nation. If you intend to visit Japan soon, there are several requirements that you must complete.

The first step is to apply for a Japanese visa in India. The issuance of the Japan visa is related to a number of assets. The visa will allow the bearer to travel to the nation to visit family and friends, tourism, business, and pursue further education or a job. The visa's validity period varies by category, as do the eligibility and documentation requirements. For all Indian nationals, obtaining a visa to Japan from India is required.

Also, a new eVisa (electronic visa) for travel to Japan from India is now available. The Japanese government has begun implementing this in the year 2020. Travellers and tourists from India will need a valid passport as well as several other supporting papers to apply for Japan eVisa. Because the procedure will be totally online, candidates will no longer need to visit the Embassy of Japan to get their Japan Visa application form and apply.

Visas are classified according to the purpose of your visit. The visas' validity periods will also differ. A Japanese visa is classed as follows:

Short-Term Japan Visa

This sort of Japan visa is a document that allows you to reside in the nation for a certain time period, which is up to 90 days. It may be granted for a variety of reasons, including tourism purposes, business, cultural events, and so on. It is further subdivided into single-entry visas and multiple-entry visas.

Single-Entry Visa: You can enter the nation once and stay for as long as your visa allows. If you leave the country, you won’t be allowed to return on the same visa, even with sufficient remaining validity. This subcategory includes Japan tourist visas for Indians and Japan visitor visas for Indians.

Multiple-Entry Visa: This allows you to enter and exit Japan on a single short-term visa. However, some requirements must be satisfied by the applicant to apply for this visa. This category includes the possibility of obtaining a Japanese business visa.

Long-Term Japan Visa

You may stay in the nation for a longer amount of time with this visa. This period is more than 90 days. The bearer can study further, get temporary residence, or work in Japan. There are also several varieties based on the purpose of the visit. This category includes a Japanese work visa, a dependent visa, and a certain form of Japanese student visa.

Japan Transit Visa

A Japan transit visa for Indian citizens is only valid for a short time. It is provided to travellers who will transit in the nation before continuing on to another country. The permissible stay is around 15 days, and the activities are confined to relaxation and touring.

Particular documents are required depending on the kind of visa. They might even differ from one applicant to the next based on their passport type and visa history. The following are the usual Japanese visa requirements for holders of the Indian passport:

• Original Indian passport for at least 6 months validity beyond the date of travel

• Fully completed and signed visa application form

• Two images in accordance with the photo specs

• Application letter

• Evidence of confirmed trip dates

• Airline tickets

• Evidence of adequate money to sustain your stay in Japan

• Current Income Tax Returns

• Travel Requisition from the Recruiter (if the trip is sponsored)

• Bank statement

• Letter of invitation (original)

• Accommodation proof

The photo specifications for Japan Visa are as follows:

• Two copies are required.

• Japan visa photo dimensions are 45mm x 45mm.

• A coloured copy is required.

• The face should cover around 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.

• The head should be centred.

• A 2mm to 6mm space must be maintained between the top of the head and the frame.

• The photograph must be no more than 6 months old.

• White must be used as the background colour.

• Glasses are not allowed.

• Neutral expressions.

• Except for religious reasons, headgear is not permitted.

• The clothing should not match the background colour.

Additional Documents based on your type of visit and occupation:

Employed Individuals:

Original certificate of sanctioned leave, complete with company signature and seal

Self-Employed Individuals:

• Partnership Deed/Memorandum of Association/ Business Registration Licence

• Company's most recent 6-month bank statement

Retired Individuals

• Evidence of retirement such as bank statements, pension books, etc.

Students

• Institute/College/School ID Card

• Bonafide Certificate

Visiting Family and Friends

• Original letter of invitation

• Address proof such as any utility bill, electricity bill, etc.

• ID proof of inviters such as their residence permit, valid Japan visa, or Passport

Minors

• Parent's ID Proof such as PAN Card or Passport

• NOC from the parents or non-accompanying parent on ₹100 stamp paper

• Birth certificate

• Business Purposes

• Letter of original invitation from the host company outlining the purpose of the trip, business specifics, and so on

• Original Guarantee Letter and a verified copy of the incorporation registry or a business/organisation overview (only if the inviting firm pays the costs)

• Covering letter on company letterhead from an Indian business house or company

Sponsored

• Letter of sponsorship

• Most recent bank statement (6 months)

• Sponsor's national identity proof such as Resident Permit, PAN Card, or Passport

Before beginning the Japan visa application procedure for Indians, ensure that you are qualified for the visa. The Japan Consulate/Embassy establishes various criteria to determine whether you are a suitable applicant for the visa. The procedure is mostly manual, and you must apply through a visa application centre. The application procedure is outlined below:

• Download the Japan visa application form from the visa application centre or VFS Global’s official website.

• Fill out the form with all of the essential information and go over the checklist.

• Complete all of the conditions specified by the authorities.

• Print the completed application form.

• Attach all supporting papers and images in accordance with the criteria.

• Submit the application form to your local visa application centre branch.

• Pay the Japan visa price when you submit your application.

• After the visa has been processed, you may pick up your passport.

After submitting the application form, together with your passport and other papers, all you need to do is wait for the processing to be completed before picking up your passport. You can select any convenient visa application centre branch based on your location. To acquire the visa faster, complete the checklist supplied by the centre. If the papers are lacking, the processing and verification will merely take time.

The visa will be processed by the Japanese Embassy in four working days. It will not include the day you submit the application.

When filling out the form, be certain that you include all of the necessary information. The information submitted must correspond to the information on the passport and other papers. It should also be mentioned that the Consulate does not accept handwritten forms. If any problems are discovered with the application, your visa may be denied. A visa denial might jeopardise future visa applications to Japan or any other country. To avoid this, it is best to get expert visa assistance.

The following are the eligibility requirements for Japan Visa:

• Indian nationals with a valid Indian passport may apply for a Japan visa from India.

• A person who intends to come to Japan to visit family or friends, for tourism, or for business visits may apply for a Japan visa.

• Passengers travelling to Japan must have travel insurance in order to get entry into the nation.

Well, the Japan visa fees for Indian nationals are assessed based on numerous factors, and it varies depending on the kind of Japanese visa. It must be paid to the Japan visa application centres in addition to the service fees. You need to pay the money in cash; otherwise, if you don't have access to a nearby branch of the Japan visa application centre, you may send the fee via a demand draft.

Look at the table outlined below to learn more about the Japan visa cost based on the purpose of visit and kind of visa:

For the last two years, the country of Japan has prohibited most international travellers and tourists entering the country in order to restrict the spread of coronavirus. Furthermore, no spectators were permitted to attend the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. The nation did, however, lifted the travel prohibition for foreign residents and business travellers earlier in the year 2022. Now that Japan is inviting holidaymakers, this comprehensive post-COVID-19 guideline is all you need to know:

• Individuals aged 2 and above should wear a well-fitted mask in public places.

• Japan has put limits on nations or areas by categorising them as Red, Yellow, or Blue. For more information, please go here.

• Every day, 20,000 people arrive in Japan.

• The boundaries are only available to group trips, not solo travellers.

• Travellers who have a valid vaccination certificate for the dosages are exempt from an on-arrival test or home quarantine.

• For passengers who do not have a valid vaccination certificate, an on-arrival test and a 7-day or 3-day home quarantine, as well as a negative COVID-19 test report, are required.

• Except for individuals with re-entry permission, all visitors must apply for a visa. The visa application process may take longer than normal, so plan your vacation appropriately.

• Visas granted after December 2, 2021, are no longer valid, with the exception of those issued to holders of the status of residence as a child or spouse of a Japanese national, child or spouse of a permanent resident," or diplomat.

• The immunisation will be valid only if specific conditions are satisfied, including —

• A municipal authority or a medical institution must issue the immunisation certificate.

• The certificate must clearly state that you had two doses of immunizations, which include COVAXIN or COVISHIELD.

People who go to Japan for business or pleasure frequently ask if travel insurance is required. Travellers or tourists from India must get a visa to enter Japan, and medical travel insurance is necessary. While there is no mandatorily precise sum mentioned, the coverage must last the full period of their vacation. We also recommend that visitors visiting Japan acquire a travel insurance package that extends beyond COVID-19 issues.

Most of our policyholders who visited Japan will agree that obtaining travel insurance provided them with peace of mind and, on rare occasions, coverage when things went wrong. They understand the dangers of missing connecting flights or retrieving misplaced luggage. For many people, going to Japan is a long flight, so you can imagine how much more damaging even a minor delay or inconvenience can be to your trip. That is why we recommend purchasing trip insurance for Japan. Protecting your investment, your health, and your things from the unexpected is a terrific way to reduce stress while increasing enjoyment.

While misplaced baggage, missed flights, and other hassles may cause your trip to be disrupted, one of the most important reasons to purchase travel insurance is to be able to establish that you have health coverage if you become ill or injured while in Japan. Japan's national healthcare system is designed largely for its inhabitants, and many hospitals are unaccustomed to delivering care to foreign visitors, especially when they are unclear how they will be compensated. There have been cases when visitors have been denied care.

Tata AIG puts forward the best international travel insurance coverage to financially safeguard you in the event of an unforeseen accident. For as little as ₹40.82 per day, our customers may get comprehensive coverage for their foreign travel plans.

Some of the advantages of having Tata AIG Japan travel insurance include:

• Flight cancellation insurance protects you in the event that you miss a flight or it is cancelled due to inclement weather.

• This insurance will cover any diseases or natural catastrophes that may occur during your stay in Israel.

• You are protected against coronavirus-related crises if you are tested for COVID+ (positive) and require hospitalisation while in Japan.

• You might be able to get travel medical insurance without having to undergo a physical exam.

• You may get Japanese Yen coverage by simply paying in Indian Rupees (₹).

• Coverage for trip cancellation, luggage delay or loss, passport loss, belonging loss, and several other unanticipated incidents.

Information last updated sep '23. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.