Japan visa requirements for Gambians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Gambians visiting Japan

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Japanese Visa.

  • A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) taken in grey background.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Japan Visa for Gambians

Facts about Japan

Japan is an island nation which features dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and a plethora of shrines and temples. Tokyo, which is the capital is a popular destination for skyscrapers, shopping, and pop culture. Other popular tourist sites in the country are Onsen – a hot spring resort which features mineral baths, ski resorts such as Niseko in Hokkaido, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Himeji Castle. Shops in Japan are famous for having the latest fashion trends, kimono gowns, and electronics. Sumo-wrestling, Kabuki theater productions, and karaoke bars are the forms of entertainment which tourists can pass time with. Child tourists in the country look forward to visiting Tokyo Tower which is considered Tokyo Disneyland.
 
The 21 World Heritage Sites make Japan one of the most visited countries in the world. Since 2011, the number of foreigners visiting the country has steadily been on the rise, a total number of 28.69 million foreigners visited Japan in 2017. The Japanese government hopes to receive 40 million foreign tourists every year by 2020.
 
Foreigners should desist from engaging in drug-related crimes as there are sophisticated methods of detecting drugs in Japan. Huge fines and lengthy sentences are handed out to anyone caught in the act.

Types of Japan Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 5 working days 90 days
Work visa 5 working days 1 year

General Requirements for Japan Visa

  • A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) taken in grey background.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
Japan Tourist visa Japan Work visa

Japan Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Japanese visa is for Gambians traveling for sightseeing, exploration or adventurous purposes.
  • This visa is valid for a period of up to 90 days.
  • Applicants who want to extend their visa should apply for an extension at the nearest immigration office. You will have to pay an additional fee for the visa extension.
  • Travelers carrying up to ¥1,000,000 or above should declare it upon entry.
  • Japanese immigration officers may deny you entry if you appear to have no visible means of support. 
  • Visitors are required to have at least 15,000 yen per day to finance their stay in Japan.
  • Use caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. 
  • You are subject to Japanese law while you are in Japan. If you violate Japanese laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, imprisoned, or deported.
  • If you are arrested in Japan, even for a minor offense, you may be held in detention without bail for several months or more during the investigation and legal proceedings.
  • Overstaying your visa or working illegally may lead to fines of several thousands of dollars, and in some cases, re-entry bans can be as long as ten years, or indefinitely for drug offenders.
  • Japan has a national health insurance system which is available only to those foreigners with long-term visas for Japan.
  • Japanese authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers and users, including recreational users with sophisticated detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs, blood tests, “stop and frisk” tactics, and other methods.
  • Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking a drug that is illegal in Japan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines.
  • Please note that some drugs which may be legal in certain jurisdictions outside of Japan, including marijuana and synthetic drugs, remain illegal in Japan.

Japan Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Gambians traveling to Japan for employment purposes can apply for the Japanese work visa.
  • Working visas are considered long-term stay visas and cover the kind of work that requires high-level professional knowledge or skills.
  • The Japanese work visa is valid for 1-3 years but can be renewed.
  • The work visa eligible for the following people:
    • Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, International Services Engineer- Engineers and Specialists in Humanities must have a university degree in their corresponding fields or 10 years of professional experience. International Services Engineers must have 3 years of professional experience in their field.
    • Intra-company Transferee- This status applies to expats of foreign companies or the subsidiary companies of Japanese firms located overseas who have worked more than one year in the said office in overseas.
    • Skilled Labor- Jobs involving foreign cooking, architecture or civil engineering characteristic to foreign countries, training animals, instructing sports, sommeliers, processing precious stones will fall into this status. It’s mandatory to have at least 3 years of professional experience in the field.
    • Business Manager- Those who are going to start a business or invest in a business in Japan. It also applies to those managing businesses on behalf of investors.
    • Highly-Skilled Professional- This visa aims to attract workers who are likely to contribute to the Japanese economy.
  • The company of employment serves as the sponsor for the applicant. Hence, the company is required to present a letter stating the applicant's intending position and expected salary to be paid.
  • Applicants of this visa are required to apply for a residence permit.
  • The company is also expected to ensure that the applicant is issued a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as this is a vital part of the application process. 
  • The COE is issued by the immigration bureau under the jurisdiction of the Japan Ministry of Justice. A photocopy of the certificate is to be carried along with the original. 
  • Applicants are required to take their letter of employment and work contract to the embassy for application.
  • For work applicants, a CV containing a proof of previous work experience should be submitted along with the contract letter.

Japan Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Work visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Japan Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Gambia

Location

Address

Banjul

Honorary Consulate of Japan -- C/o Shyben A. Madi & Sons Ltd. No. 3A Liberation Avenue Banjul capital The Gambia

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sam.madi@gamtel.gm

+220 422 7436 422 6666

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Japan visa after rejection?

You can reapply after six months of your initial rejection. This is if your circumstances have changed significantly after the rejection.

Is it rude to take photos in Japan?

Actually, there is no law against taking photos of people in public places in Japan. It's the publishing or uploading them to the Internet where the laws come into play. The exception to having to ask for permission before taking pictures is if people appear in a public event.

What is the weather and climate of Japan like?

The climate in Japan is mostly temperate with four distinct seasons, except for the Hokkaido area and the Okinawa region. Tokyo, along with most areas on the main island Honshu, has a humid subtropical climate characterized by warm and wet summers and mild winters.

What is the best period to travel to Japan?

Late Spring (March to May) and late Autumn (September to November) are generally the best times to visit Japan, when there is little rainfall, skies are clear, and temperatures are mild. What's more, the delicate cherry blossom of Spring and vivid hues of Autumn leaves are visually stunning.

How can I get visa to Japan?
I have a girlfriend in Japan who's Chinese and wants to invite me to to Japan for a visit?
Hello Good morning what are the documents required for Gambian passport holder to Japan tourist visa?
Can I get work visa to japan?
I want to learn and work in Japan?