Japan requires a valid passport for any foreign visitor entering the country for their duration of stay. The current visa application procedures are as follows:
For short-term stays, visitors can apply for a visa on arrival and receive an electronic visa (eVISA) through the JAPAN eVISA system. However, for long-term stays, such as visiting family or friends, a Japan Tourist Visa is required.
Currently, tourists with U.S. passports do not need visas for short-term visits (up to three months), due to complex travel regulations and restrictions. Residents of 68 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Mexico, can enter Japan for up to 90 days for tourism purposes with a free visa upon arrival.
For tourist/business “visa-free” stays of up to 90 days, visitors must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket. However, they cannot work on a 90-day visa-free entry.
On January 8, 2024, all non-visa-exempt nationalities need a visa to enter Japan. Citizens of certain countries can enter with Temporary Visitor status for limited periods. Most travelers to Japan can enter the country without obtaining a visa in advance, including nationals from 65 countries, including the USA, Australia, and the UK.
To enter Japan for business or tourism, travelers must have a valid passport and comply with the conditions of their visas. A paper or embassy visa is the only visa available for travelers visiting Japan. For more information on visa requirements, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
📹 Visit Japan – Do I Need a Visa to Visit Japan?
Heading to Japan and not sure if you need a visa? Well for tourists from Canada, The US, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, The …
What countries can enter Japan without a visa?
Japan offers visa-free travel for certain passport holders, thereby rendering the destination more accessible for travelers. This convenient option streamlines the visa application process, enabling travelers to immerse themselves in Japan’s distinctive culture and breathtaking landscapes. This blog offers a comprehensive guide to these countries, with the objective of streamlining the travel preparation process and enabling travelers to direct their attention to their forthcoming journey to this captivating country.
How much is a Japan visa?
The cost of a visa issuance is 3, 000 yen for a single-entry visa, 6, 000 yen for a double-entry or multiple-entry visa, and 700 yen for a transit visa. The requisite fees are to be paid in the currency of the country in which the diplomatic mission is situated. It should be noted that the fees in question may vary depending on the purpose of the visit and the nationality of the applicant. In the event that a visa is not issued, an additional fee is required for the processing of the application, provided that the application is submitted through an approved agency by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.
Did Japan need visa?
Malaysian nationals in possession of biometric passports compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard are exempt from the necessity of a visa for a short stay of up to 90 days in Japan for purposes of tourism, transit, business meetings, or visiting friends and relatives. In July 2013, the Japanese government introduced a visa exemption for Malaysian nationals. Nevertheless, it should be noted that a visa is a prerequisite for those engaged in JICA/AOTS training. Further information can be obtained from the following source: visa@kl. mofa. go. jp.
Why does Japan only allow one passport?
In 1930, the League of Nations proposed a ban on dual citizenship through the Hague Convention. Japan and other signatories, including Japan, did not alter their legislation to reflect this proposal, although there are exceptions.
Can I travel to Japan with a passport card?
The passport card is accepted exclusively by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for domestic flights within the United States. It is only valid for U. S. citizens residing in northern and southern border communities who cross the border by land.
Do you need a passport or visa to go to Japan?
Japan allows visa exemption for individuals from visa-exempt countries or regions with a 90-day stay and no income-earning activities. The U. S. is a visa-exempt country, and U. S. passport holders do not need a visa for short-term visits to Japan. However, those from countries without visa exemption arrangements need a visa for short visits, regardless of purpose. Visa exemption does not apply for longer stays beyond 90 days or for income-earning activities, regardless of the passport holder’s nationality.
Can I get a visa on arrival to Japan?
A temporary visitor visa is granted upon arrival in Japan, valid for up to 90 days, provided the visitor doesn’t plan to work. To obtain a visa for tourism, a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity, recent passport-sized photo, birth certificate, travel details, and proof of financial stability are required. The visa approval process typically takes 5 to 15 business days, but may take longer depending on the visa and the Japanese embassy/consulate. It’s recommended to start the process as soon as possible to avoid any disruptions.
Do foreigners need to carry passport in Japan?
In accordance with Japanese legislation, tourists are obliged to present valid identification, such as a passport or alien registration certificate, during their period of stay. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine of up to 100, 000 yen, unless special permission is granted. Furthermore, those who overstay their permitted period of stay or engage in activities not approved by the Immigration Bureau may be subject to imprisonment for a period of up to three years or a fine of up to three million yen.
Do you need your passport in Tokyo?
It is a legal requirement to possess a valid passport, which may be checked by local police for identification purposes during one’s stay.
Do Europeans need a visa to Japan?
Japan requires tourists to obtain a tourist visa before entering the country, but certain nationalities, such as Europeans, the United States, Australia, and Argentina, are exempt from this requirement. These countries can stay in Japan for up to 90 days visa-free and are assigned Temporary Visitor status. The Japan tourist visa is a short-term stay visa for sightseeing, visiting friends, or attending conferences or courses.
It is valid for a single-entry stay of up to 90 days, and travelers can apply for a double-entry visa for two short trips within a 6-month period. However, the visa does not allow paid work while in Japan.
Do I need to carry my passport in Japan?
In accordance with Japanese legislation, tourists are obliged to present valid identification, such as a passport or alien registration certificate, during their period of stay. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine of up to 100, 000 yen, unless special permission is granted. Furthermore, those who overstay their permitted period of stay or engage in activities not approved by the Immigration Bureau may be subject to imprisonment for a period of up to three years or a fine of up to three million yen.
📹 JAPAN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS | How to do TAX-FREE + Airport Procedures ONLINE | Visit Japan Web
Required documents? 1:01 2. Japan Airport Procedures? 1:28 3. What is Visit Japan Web? 4:14 4. How to create/activate an …
For tax-free shopping, make sure your passport is stamped at airport immigration entry point. When shopping in Japan, take your passport with you and tell the casier you would like pay your purchase tax-free. The cashier will check your passport and the immigration stamp, and then deduct the tax, most goods at 10%. Pretty straight forward, but your purchase must be over 5000 yen. Not sure how exactly how the QR code works, tried and found very confusing, not worth the hassel.
Your articles are great and my go-to for planning my upcoming trip, thanks. I head to Japan in a few weeks and it looks like they’ve combined the two QR codes (immigration and customs) into one code from the 25th January 2024. Just in case anybody else gets a bit stumped looking to screenshot two codes, I should’ve read the banner message at the top of the vjw site properly 🙂
This article is GREAT!! I was so thoroughness and had lots details. It was nice that you described everything step-by-step and spoke slowly and didn’t flip to different screens quickly (most articles are difficult to follow). Glad you displayed the text to explain things too. I was a bit confused when you talked about the Tax Free shopping. You first said the Tax Free QR code is included on the Japan Web App when you go through immigration and to take a screenshot. Yet, later you said “you can’t use the screenshot of the QR code, and you must enter the actual QR code” So when you actually buy things, do you need to go back to the VJW app, and get a NEW QR Code which you use at retail stores (in other words, the QR code screenshot that you initially got is ONLY for getting through Customs, but NOT meant to use when buying things? Then you said the QR code is only valid for 24 hours, so does this mean that if you’re shopping several days, then you’ll need to get a NEW QR code EACH time you shop, from the VJW app?
Hello! I have a question about the QR codes at the airport. If I use both the disembarkation and Declaration of Personal Effects QR codes, will my passport be stamped? I plan on using the fast track option, but I’m not sure if the stamp will be included. Could you please clarify this for me? Thank you!
Trying to understand the difference between something you said and the app. You state, “If you have family members traveling together with you like your children who can’t complete the procedures by themselves, you can register their information on their behalf”, but the app says “When a family member undergoes immigration procedures at the same time they can be registered as family members traveling with you.” Is there any reason you wouldn’t want to put the whole family on one plan? is it because each individual needs to show a travel plan for themselves and its easier if adults show their own plan separately? Thank you for making this article btw!!
Many thanks for the very informative article. My questions are: 1) Can I complete the form 2 weeks ahead of the trip and I change the flight information in case there’s a change of plan? 2) Can I retrieve the QR codes from my phone upon arriving Japan if I am completing the application on my desktop? Thank you again!
Excelent article! 🙂 I have one question, in the vjv webiste it says you can bring 1million yen per person, at that moment it was 10.000 dollars, but now its around 7. What happens if you bring 1.5 million per person that is 10.000 dollars today? Do you still have to declare? If so, do they charge you something? Thanks a lot 🙂
Hi there I have a question, eVisa is allowed for any nationals residing in Saudi Arabia (I’m from Philippines) however the requirements for Filipino tourists in The Philippines have different requirements like affidavit of support. I’m planning to join my family from the Philippines in touring Japan, would that be a problem. Thank you for any insights. Your article is simple but really worth to watch
I have a question: I am coming to Japan with my wife in late June. Do both of me and my wife have to have Visit Japan web individual registration and QR codes, or I can claim my wife as my family member, so to get one single set of QR codes for both of us? Also, do we get our passports stampeded passing immigration checkpoints? Thanks!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and helpful articles!!! I am visiting Japan in two weeks. My travel plan is: 1) arriving in Tokyo and spend a night, the next day flying to China; 2) re-enter Japan 10 days later from China, and stay in Japan for 10 days. Do I need to register again when re-enter Japan? Thanks!
When I was in Japan in January and tried to make a tax free purchase. The girl at the counter was trying to explain something to me. (the purchase was well over 5000yen) I could not understand what she was trying to convey and I got very confused and so gave up and just payed the tax. ..So purchasing tax free is not as easy it’s made out to be…It never worked for me in Japan, no matter what I purchased.
Helloo i have a question. 1: Lets say i buy a couple of cards from a store that offers tax free. Will they seal those? And if they do am i allowed to just take the cards out and say put them somewhere else? Or is it a must i keep them sealed until i reach my home country. 2: Will they check what you have bought in japan in tax free shops? If they do how would they check? I have the urge to just open whatever i buy immediately haha so im kind if worried that i may break any laws Thank you in advance and helpful article by the way on the requirements
Had completed the web after following your article hehe thanks a lot for this! Can i confirm one minor thing regarding the embarkation point? My flight to Japan will be a connecting flight with short transit in HK. Is my embarkation point HK or my origin departing country? I understand that the last flight number will be my plane from HK airport to Japan. Thanks!
Thank you for the information. I have a question once i have commpleteted my purchase and recieve the reciept to my purchase do i need to save the reciept for border patrol? Can i not open any of my products here? Do i have to leave the reciept inside the bag insod emy luggage or will it be better to have them at hand when passing through border checkpoint? Help.
Hello, I will be spending 22.35 hours lay-over in Narita Airport, Japan, prior to my trip to US, i would like to know if i l need to register in the visit japan website for QR Code or shall i need a visa to enter japan as NARITA airport will not allow overnight stay for passengers in the transit zone? Your info. will be of great help to me. Thanks in advance.