Japan visa requirements for Somalis

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Somalis visiting Japan

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

Japan Visa for Somalis

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 7-10 working days 30 days
Student visa 7-10 days 3 month to 4 years
Work visa 7-10 days 1-4

General Requirements for Japan Visa

Japan Tourist visa Japan Student visa Japan Work visa

Japan Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A visitor who wants to travel to Japan for the purpose of tourism will have to obtain a tourist visa before entering the country.
  • Japan tourist visa is a short term visa. This short term visa allows a visitor to visit Japan for the purpose of sightseeing, attending business meet or conferences, participating in short term courses or visiting friends and relatives. 
  • This visa does not allow a visitor to undertake paid activities while in Japan.
  • A tourist visa to Japan is valid for a period of up to 90 days.
  • A visitor is allowed to stay in Japan for a maximum of 15 days only under the single entry regulation.
  • You must have a valid passport. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa.
  • Your passport must have a validity that extends the duration of the visa you are  applying for by at least 3 months
  • You must have a copy of your completed visa application form
  • You must provide proof of your confirmed  hotel reservation, flight bookings and travel itinerary for the entire duration  of your stay in Japan
  • You must provide a copy of your round-trip or tour ticket
  • You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself monetarily during your stay in Japan and for your return transportation.

Japan Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is issued to foreigners who have intentions to study in Japan.
  • Prospective students must be 18 years old or more, and have completed high school or above with a minimum of 12 years in school in order to get a student visa to Japan.
  • An application form where you fill in data about yourself and the course. (Make sure to always write your name as it is written in your passport).
  • your personal history form where you fill in your educational and occupational history is required. Fill in as much as possible. Any blank periods will need to be explained. In this form or a separate form, you will also have to fill in some details about your family members.
  • Diploma and transcript from the last school you have graduated from translated to English or Japanese.
  • A copy of your passport the photo page.
  • Passport photos. some schools usually want 8 photos. However, nowadays a few schools can accept digital photos.
  • Some schools ask for your medical history or tuberculosis check-up but many schools don’t.
  • A letter of remittance where you state how much money you will have in Japan and whether it is your money or if you have a guarantor. 
  • A bank account balance certificate showing that you or your guarantor have the needed money (usually at least 1600000 Yen).
  • Proof of employment for you or your sponsor.
  • A written oath or pledge from you or your guarantor that you promise to pay the required costs.
  • Note that the time of application is usually limited. Applicants are to always be on the lookout for the right application period.

Japan Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Somalians hoping to find employment in Japan must have a working visa before they arrive in the country.
  • Applying for a  working visa in Japanese will require the cooperation of the company, university, research institute, board of education or school that will employ them.
  • Visitors who are on a 3-month tourist visa are not allowed to work in Japan
  • Applicants will need to liaise in this process with the Japanese embassy or consulate in their own countries
  • you are required to get a  COE to helps speed up the visa process and it’s possible to get a work visa without one, however in practice, it’s pretty much mandatory.
  •  Passport, application form, photo (4cm×3cm) taken not more than 3 months prior to the application are required.
  •  A have to get a  work permit first to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. This document is issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan and requires a sponsor in Japan (such as an employer) to apply for the certificate on the employee’s behalf to their local immigration office.
  • This certificate is free of charge and can take up to 3 months to be issued. The certificate is then valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Japan Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

126.80 (JPY)

Student visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Work visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Japan Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Somalia

Location

Address

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I obtain a visa?

If you arrive in Japan without visa, you will automatically be given a 90 days temporary visitor visa. Normally all other visas should be obtained before coming to Japan. However, it is now usually possible to change a temporary visa into a working, cultural or spouse visa, by applying at an immigration office in Japan.

How can I extend my visa?
Temporary visitor or "Tourist Visa"
British, Irish, German, Swiss, Austrian and Mexican citizens can extend it for three more months. For others, it may be quite difficult to get an extension. It will be necessary to have a good reason and show you have enough money to support yourself. Even so, you might not be granted more than a few additional weeks.

Student, Cultural, Working & Spouse Visa
These visas can be easily extended as long as you are still studying/working/married. Just go to the immigration office with proof that you are still eligible.


Can I apply for a visa at the nearest Japanese Embassy / Consulate General while travelling in a foreign country?

You can apply for the visa at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in your own country (region) or country (region) of residence (if there is more than one, apply to the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General nearest from where you live). In other words, you cannot apply for a visa at your travel destination; however, if there are unavoidable circumstances, consult with the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General where you would like to apply for the visa before making the application.

I have lost my passport with the visa in it. What should I do?

 Contact the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General that issued the visa to inform what happened. Also, it is recommended that you submit a lost property form to the local police station. If you need a new visa, you must make an application again.

What visa do I take if I want to go high school in Japan ???
I want to work in Japan?
How much does visa cost in somali passport for students?