About Japan Tourist Visa
Indian tourists visiting Japan must apply for a tourist visa through the Japanese embassy or Consulate in India before their trip. The visa application requires specific documentation and processing time. Before we get into the details of the process, here are some key facts about Japan.
| Category | Information |
| Capital | Tokyo |
| Currency | Japanese Yen (JPY) ( 1 JPY= INR 0.53) |
| Language | Japanese |
| Time Zone | Japan Standard Time (JST)
Japan is 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST) |
| Popular Tourist Destinations | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, Nara |
| Japan tourist visa processing time | 5 working days |
Japan Tourist Visa Fee for Indians
Here's the Japan tourist visa fee that you need to pay while submitting your application.
| Japan Tourist visa (Single/Multiple-entry visa) | INR 500 |
| Japan Transit visa | INR 50 |
*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations
Apart from the official Japan tourist visa fee, VFS Global will also charge a service fee.
Documents Required for a Japan Tourist Visa for Indians
If you wish to apply for a Japan tourist visa from India, you need to apply along with the required documents. Here's a checklist of all the documents you need to submit.
- Passport - A valid Indian passport.
- Visa Application Form - Completed and signed visa application form. Available from the Japanese embassy or consulate website.
- Photographs - Recent passport-sized photographs meeting Japan tourist visa photo requirements (size, format, background colour). The recommended size is 45mm × 35mm.
- Detailed Itinerary - Provide a detailed itinerary with details of activities, places you want to visit, and your accommodation plans.
- Letter of invitation - A letter of invitation from a host in Japan, including their contact information, if applicable.
- Financial guarantee letter - A letter from a guarantor stating that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover expenses during their stay in Japan.
- List of applicants - If you are visiting your family or friends in Japan, submit a list of visa applicants mentioning details like name, birth date, nationality, occupation, and relationship with the host.
- Visa Fee - Payment of the visa processing fee, which may vary depending on nationality and visa type.
Note: Japan has relaxed the eligibility requirements of short-term tourist visas to Japan for Indian students. If you are an Indian student, you can submit your certificate of student status or certificate of graduation instead of the documents required to show financial stability. You can use this privilege while you are a student or within three years of graduation.
Types of Japan Tourist Visa
Here are the main Japan Tourist visa types that you can apply for:
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Single-Entry Short-Term Stay for the Purpose of Tourism
Japan issues a short-term tourist visa for up to 90 days to Indians. This type of visa allows travellers to enter Japan only once during the validity period specified on the visa. You can apply for this visa electronically through the Japan e-visa website. If you need a short-term visa for other purposes like business or visiting family and friends, you cannot apply for it electronically.
-
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
This visa permits travellers to enter Japan multiple times within the validity period stated on the visa. Unlike the single-entry visa, travellers with a multiple-entry visa can leave and re-enter Japan as many times as they wish within the specified timeframe - up to 5 years. However, each stay is usually limited to a maximum duration of 90 days per visit.
People who have been to Japan two times or more in the past year are eligible for this visa. e-visa is not applicable for this type of tourist visa.
-
Transit Visa
If you travel to another country through Japan, you must apply for a transit visa. The visa is provided for a very short period of up to 15 days, and the processing time is about 4 working days.
Japan Tourist Visa Requirements
The requirements for obtaining a Japan tourist visa from India include:
- Purpose of Visit: Applicants must demonstrate that their purpose of visiting Japan is for tourism, leisure, or visiting friends and relatives. The intention to engage in activities such as sightseeing, attending cultural events or experiencing the local attractions should be clearly stated. Select your Japan tourist visa type carefully based on the purpose and duration of your stay.
- Valid Passport: Applicants must possess a valid passport with validity extending beyond the intended duration of stay in Japan. The passport must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
- Financial Stability: Applicants must show evidence of sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of their stay in Japan, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses.
- Travel Itinerary: Applicants must provide a detailed japan itinerary of their planned activities during their stay in Japan, including information on accommodation arrangements, transportation within Japan, and planned tourist attractions or events to visit.
- Insurance: Travel medical insurance is highly recommended for tourists visiting Japan from India for any unforeseen medical emergencies.
Ensure you comply with all Japan tourist visa requirements before submitting your application to avoid rejection.
How to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa?
If you are wondering about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa, go through the following steps.
- Gather the Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents as per the Japan tourist visa requirements, including a valid passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photographs, flight itinerary, accommodation details, financial documents, travel insurance, and any additional supporting documents. Make sure that your photos comply with the Japan tourist visa photo requirements.
- Submit the Japan tourist visa application: Fill out the visa application form accurately and completely. There are two ways to submit your application.
- Submit the form online through the Japan e-visa website, but only for short tourism stay
- Apply through the official visa agency - VFS Global. The appointments are allotted at the office of VFS Global located in New Delhi through their website.
- Pay visa fees: Pay the applicable visa fees online.
- Track your application: VFS Global lets you track your Japan tourist visa status through their website. Note that the embassy does not entertain any queries regarding the tourist visa status.
Japan Tourist Visa for Indians: FAQs
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Q: How long does it take to process a Japan tourist visa for Indians?
Ans: Japan tourist visa processing time can vary, but it generally takes 5 working days. However, applying well before your intended travel date is advisable to avoid any delays. -
Q: Has Japan launched an e-visa facility for Indian tourists?
Ans: Yes, Japan has launched an e-visa facility in India since 1 April 2024. -
Q: When should I apply for a Japan tourist visa?
Ans: Japan accepts visa applications starting from 3 months before your date of departure. Apply in advance because it may take up to a month to get a visa appointment at VFS Global. -
Q: Can I reapply immediately if my Japan tourist visa application is rejected?
Ans: You cannot reapply for a Japan tourist visa within 6 months after your first rejection. This period will give you sufficient time to change the circumstances that led to your first visa rejection. -
Q: Can I buy travel insurance after reaching Japan?
Ans:Yes, you can get a travel insurance policy after you arrive in Japan.
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