Japan visa requirements for Indians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Indians visiting Japan

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

  • A filled Japanese visa application form.
  • A valid and properly signed national passport with at least one blank page.
  • One 45mmx45mm passport-sized photo.
  • A document indicating your purpose of visit. 
  • A document showing the applicant's legal status e.g. National I.D. card.
  • A proof of family ties such as a birth or marriage certificate.
  • A proof of financial stability for the duration of stay in the country.  
  • Proof of confirmed accommodation provision in Japan.
  • A detailed flight itinerary of the trip for the duration of stay.
  • A proof of confirmed repatriation after your intended stay in the country. 
  • Documents must be written in either Japanese or English.

Japan Visa for Indians

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
Visitor Visa 4 working days 90 days
Business visa 4 working days 90 days
Transit visa 4 working days 15 days
Work visa 10-20 working days 3-5 years
Student visa 10-20 working days 3-5 years

General Requirements for Japan Visa

  • A filled Japanese visa application form.
  • A valid and properly signed national passport with at least one blank page.
  • One 45mmx45mm passport-sized photo.
  • A document indicating your purpose of visit. 
  • A document showing the applicant's legal status e.g. National I.D. card.
  • A proof of family ties such as a birth or marriage certificate.
  • A proof of financial stability for the duration of stay in the country.  
  • Proof of confirmed accommodation provision in Japan.
  • A detailed flight itinerary of the trip for the duration of stay.
  • A proof of confirmed repatriation after your intended stay in the country. 
  • Documents must be written in either Japanese or English.
Japan Visitor Visa Japan Business visa Japan Transit visa Japan Work visa Japan Student visa

Japan Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  •  Japan visitor visa is issued to Indians who want to travel to visit friends, families, and acquaintances.
  • This visa can also be used for vacations, ceremonies and to attend festivals for a short period of time.
  • Those issued this visa are given the Temporary Visitor status.
  • It is possible also to have business meetings, seminars, conferences, sign contracts, engage in PR activities and conduct market research.
  • The visa is issued both on Single and Multiple entries.
  • The application form should be filled with a black pen. 
  • The passport used for the application must be signed by the bearer. It should also be valid for 6 months.
  • If you are meeting a family relation in Japan, you are required to provide documents that sufficiently prove the family relationship. 
  • The document to be submitted should include either a birth certificate, marriage certificate or an extract from the civil status certificate.
  • A certified copy of the family register is required if your host is your spouse and is also Japanese.
  • All applicants of this visa should make sure they present a letter of invitation with motif and which bears the seal of the host.
  • It is important that details of the program of stay are provided along with the coordinates of your accommodation.
  • This visa does not allow visitors to undertake paid activities while in Japan.
  • A visitor visa to Japan is valid for a period of up to 90 days.
  • People traveling on this visa must have the intention to leave Japan at the end of your authorized stay.
  • Proof of income or tax payment issued by a public agency is required as proof of sufficient funds for the trip.
  • Visitors are required to have at least 15,000 yen per day to finance their stay in Japan.
  • Details of place(s) to be visited during your stay is to be submitted in an itinerary.
  • If you would be staying with your host, the address, contact details and personal details of the person are required.
  • Documents showing the relationship between the applicant and the Japanese host should be provided.
  • Applicants are required to pay the fees for their visa application before submitting the required documents.
  • The visa fee for travelers to Japan from India is RS. 1840 and these fees are non-refundable.
  • Flight return tickets should be gotten as this would serve as proof of intent to return to your home country at the expiration of the visa.
  • All visitors must obey Japanese rules and regulations while in Japan, failure to do so would result in arrest or deportation.
  • 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 Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to engage in trade and commercial activities in Japan.
  • Business visa is can be used to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, negotiate and sign contracts.
  • Holders of this visa can also participate in cultural and sports exchange.
  • A travel permit from your current employer for employed applicants should be submitted.
  • Travellers are to have sufficient funds for their trip. A mission letter, bank statement, payslip or any related document can serve.
  • The Japanese company is required to issue an invitation letter to the applicant from India. The letter should be addressed to the Japanese embassy or consul-general and should contain details of the business to be undergone.
  • If both companies have existing deals, details of those transactions should be provided.
  • The applicant is required to have an accommodation reservation that would be valid for the duration of their stay.
  • A guarantee letter from your employer or host company is required. The letter must be completed as omission of the required information in the letter format would render it unacceptable.
  • This visa is a short stay visa and is valid for 90 days during which its holder is not allowed to take up any form of paid employment.

Japan Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Japanese transit visa allows passage through Japan to other countries.
  • Holders of this visa are required to have the onward flight ticket and visa for the third destination country.
  • The transit visa allows a maximum of 15 days stay in the territory of Japan.
  • The activities allowed under this visa are limited. However, with this visa, you can go sight-seeing, tour and relax in Japan.
  • All foreign individuals entering Japan are to be conscious of the traffic rules in the country and abide by them.
  • The transit visa costs RS 430 per applicant and the fees are non-refundable.
  • A hotel reservation or other forms of accommodation reservation must be made prior to the trip.
  • If all your required documents are complete, it takes about 4 working days to process the visa, excluding the date of the submission of the application.
  • It is advisable to have travel health insurance before embarking on your trip.
  • 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

  • This visa is issued to people who have been given employment in Japan.
  • The Japan Work visa only covers the kind of work that requires a high level of professional knowledge or skills.
  • Applicants are to fill a visa application form from the embassy and present a valid passport.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Work visas are normally issued to be valid for a period of 1-3 years.   
  • Applicants are required to take their letter of employment and work contract to the embassy for application.
  • For work applicants, a CV containing proof of previous work experience should be submitted along with the contract letter.
  • Applicants are to also get a residence and work permit.
  • A Specified Skills visa has been newly introduced to foreigners coming to Japan for work and it has two sub-types:
    •        The Specified Skills Visa No.1 allows foreigners to work in Japan for a period of 5 years and is immediately accessible for application.
    •        The Specified Skills Visa No.2 allows foreigners to work in Japan indefinitely. It is, however, to be noted that this visa is yet to be released for use.
  • Applicants can renew their work visas if they are found eligible to renew it.  

Japan Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is issued to foreigners who have intentions to study in Japan.
  • Applicants of this visa have to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by the Ministry of Justice from their institution or school of admission.
  • A copy of the applicant's last school leaving certificate or transcript is necessary for the application process.
  • Documents that show that applicants can support themselves or are being sponsored is to be provided. Self-sponsored applicants are expected to have ¥3,000,000 or the equivalent in dollars.
  • For those sponsored, they are required to bring the income statements of the sponsor along with bank statements and scholarship award letters. 
  • If the applicant's sponsor is a resident in Japan, he or she is expected to submit a proof of residency in Japan.
  • A person on a student visa may apply for permission to do part-time work.
  • Once granted permission, the student is allowed to work for up to 28 hours per week during the study term and up to 8 hours per day during study vacation periods.
  • Note that the time of application is usually limited. Applicants are to always be on the lookout for the right application period.

Japan Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Visitor Visa

1840.00 (JPY)

Business visa

1840.00 (JPY)

Transit visa

430.00 (JPY)

Work visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Student visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Japan Visa Application Centres & Embassies in India

Location

Address

New Delhi

Plot No.4&5, 50 G, Shantipath Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021 India

www.in.emb-japan.go.jp

jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp

(+91) 11-2687-6581, (+91) 11-2687-6564

Japanese Consulate General in Chennai

12/1 Cenetoph Road, First Street, Teynampet, Chennai 600 018, India.

http://www.chennai.in.emb-japan.go.jp/

(+91) 44 2432 3860

Frequently Asked Questions

Is movement easy in Japan?

Yes. Moving around Japan is a breeze. The country has the best transport system in the world. There are readily available trains which are fast and convenient but could be expensive. 

Can I rent a car in Japan?

Yes. Although, there are adequate and sufficient public transport system all around the country, if you prefer to tour with a car, there are rental agencies, however, you must have an international driver's license and your regular permit. 

How should I dress in Japan?

Japan has no particular dress code, the only time you might have to abide by a free code is when you are going for a meeting or entering a temple. Clothings such as shorts for men, flip-flops, and overly exposed dressings are however not common.

Are there tourist accommodations in Japan?

There are several kinds of Japanese accommodation, ranging from rarefied ryokan inns to strictly functional capsule hotels and utterly over-the-top love hotels. Smaller hotels might be unwilling to accept foreigners due to language difference so it is advisable to get a Japanese local to do the booking for you.