Japan 🇯🇵
Classic Visa & e-Visa
If you're traveling to Japan for business or pleasure for less than 90 days, you won't need to apply for a visa, as the Japanese government resumed its visa-free policy on October 11, 2022, after suspending it for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
European nationals are therefore exempt from visa requirements for Japan if their stay is for business or pleasure, and lasts less than 3 months. For a trip of more than three months, for study or work purposes, you will need a visa to enter Japan, whatever your nationality.
That said, the Japanese government is trying to introduce an e-visa that was supposed to come out with the 2020 Olympics, but Covid-19 came along and the project was postponed. However, a few nationalities have begun to "test" this program.
Travelers of a nationality requiring a visa and residing in one of the following countries can apply for a Japan e-Visa: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America.
It allows tourist stays of up to 90 days. You must arrive by plane for a single entry only. It costs 3,000 yen(€18).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Japan e-Visa? | This is a device that allows you to submit a visa application online to obtain an electronic visa needed to enter Japan. |
| What types of visa can I apply for? | You can apply for a single-entry tourist visa for a short stay of up to 90 days. Other types of visa require a paper application. |
| What is an e-visa for Japan? | A dematerialized visa with no physical sticker in the passport, to be presented electronically at boarding. |
| Am I eligible to apply for a Japan e-Visa? | Available to foreigners from certain countries, unless exempted. Only ordinary passport holders traveling by air may apply. |
| What is the validity of a Japan e-Visa? | Valid 3 months after issue for a single entry to Japan, with notification of expiration or invalidation by email. |
| Can I extend the validity of my Japan e-Visa? | The eVISA cannot be extended. |
| How much does a Japan e-Visa cost? | The cost is 3,000 yen, with possible exemptions or reductions depending on the country of origin. |
| How long does it take to process my Japan e-Visa application? | Processing normally takes 5 working days, but may take longer depending on the request or the need for clarification. |
| How is my request processed? | It is examined by the Japanese establishment responsible for your place of residence, and additional documents may be requested. |
How do I apply for an e-Visa while waiting for us to provide the service?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZPxygNAJ-c
What are the formalities for visa-free travel to Japan for business or pleasure?
As a European national, you will be exempt from visa requirements to enter Japan if you are traveling for business or pleasure for less than 90 days. Despite this visa exemption, you will still need to complete certain formalities to be authorized to enter Japan. For a temporary business trip, you'll need a passport valid for six months at the time of arrival in Japan, proof of sufficient financial means, round-trip flight confirmation, the necessary documents for the next destination, and proof of the reason for your trip.
The formalities for a temporary tourist trip to Japan are pretty much the same, whether you need a passport valid for at least another 6 months on arrival, sufficient financial resources, a return flight, or documents attesting to the reason for your trip.
Why do I need to apply for a long-stay visa to enter Japan?
If you wish to visit Japan for a period of more than three months, for study or work purposes, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa. This application is subject to strict regulations. To obtain a work visa in Japan, you must first obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Japanese Immigration Service. Only once you have obtained this certificate can you apply for a visa to enter Japan. You can apply for a long-stay visa for work purposes, if you are moving abroad or carrying out a one-off assignment as part of your professional activity (e.g. six months' research in a Japanese laboratory); for family reunification, if you wish to join an expatriate spouse or if you have family living in Japan; or for study purposes, if you are a student spending a semester in Japan.
How do I get a visa for Japan?
If you do not qualify for a visa waiver for Japan, you must apply for a visa to enter the country. To obtain a Japanese visa, you'll need to compile a complete visa application file, and go personally to the Japanese Consulate in your country of residence to submit it, before your actual departure for Japan. You will be required to provide a valid passport, the expiry date of which must be later than your planned return date. Your application must also include a recent passport photo and a certificate of prior authorization obtained from a Japanese travel agency. You'll also need to state the date and means of your return, and provide proof of accommodation provided by your hosts. It takes 5 working days to obtain a visa for Japan. This is the indicative time given by the Japanese authorities. To prepare your trip to Japan as smoothly as possible, we advise you to apply for your visa two to three weeks before your actual departure date.
Obtaining a long-stay visa for Japan involves a number of steps: compiling a file containing all the required documents, submitting the file to the Japanese Consulate of your choice, and finally paying for and collecting your visa. Visamundi can help you with this last step, delivering your visa for Japan to your address, without you having to go to the Japanese Consulate in your country of residence to collect your visa.
How much does a visa for Japan cost?
For European nationals wishing to visit Japan for more than 90 days, visa fees apply depending on the type of entry. Visa fees are around €20 for a single-entry visa, €40 for a multiple-entry visa (subject to conditions), and just €5 (€5 ) for a transit visa if you wish to visit Japan between flights from one destination to another.
The visa fee is the Japanese government tax required to enter Japan.
Visamundi will soon be assisting you with the Japanese e-Visa process.
