Japan visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Japan

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

  • Valid national passport. The passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country. The passport should have one blank page for entry stamp.
  • One copy of completed application form which should carry the necessary signatures and stamp.
  • One recent passport-size photograph taken with a white background.
  • Bank statement which is not older than 3 months from the period of entry to the country. This is proof that you can cater for yourself during the period of your stay in the country.
  • Valid travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in the country.
  • Return and onward ticket.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Japan Visa for South Africans

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.

Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI will land you in jail for up to 5 years and attracts a $10,000 fine.

Types of Japan Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 2 working days 90 days
Business visa 2 working days 90 days
Work visa 2 working days 3 years

General Requirements for Japan Visa

  • Valid national passport. The passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country. The passport should have one blank page for entry stamp.
  • One copy of completed application form which should carry the necessary signatures and stamp.
  • One recent passport-size photograph taken with a white background.
  • Bank statement which is not older than 3 months from the period of entry to the country. This is proof that you can cater for yourself during the period of your stay in the country.
  • Valid travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in the country.
  • Return and onward ticket.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
Japan Tourist visa Japan Business visa Japan Work visa

Japan Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The tourist visa is meant for sightseeing, relaxation and recreation purposes.
  • Applicants of this visa are only allowed to stay in the country temporarily.
  • At the expiry of this visa type, you are required to leave the country.
  • It is a single-entry visa.
  • This visa does not allow foreigners to take up work while in the country.
  • Enrolling in one of the schools in the country is prohibited.
  • With this visa, you can also make casual visit to friends and relatives in Japan.
  • If you are visiting either a friend or relative, you are required to possess a letter of invitation from your host in the country.
  • In the invitation letter provided by your host, the home address and valid means of identification of your host should be written in details.
  • Minors should ensure they provide an unabridged original copy of their birth certificate.
  • Travelers are recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, polio and tetanus.
  • The visa ceases to be valid after 3 months.

Japan Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for South Africans visiting Japan to meet up with their partners to maintain business relationships in the country.
  • You can negotiate and sign business contracts with your partners in the country.
  • During your time in the country, you can attend conferences, trade fairs and business summits.
  • A letter from your employer in South Africa should be provided. Your position in the company, duration and purpose of your visit should be stated in the letter.
  • The company you are meeting up with in the country should provide a letter of invitation. If the company is going to be in charge of your expenses during your stay in the country, it should be stated in the letter.
  • Certificate of business registration of the company you are meeting up with in Japan is mandatory.
  • You are not allowed to take up work with this visa.
  • If you are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate should be provided.
  • There is no extension to this visa. You are required to leave the country as soon as your visa expires.
  • Travelers are advised to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, polio and tetanus.

Japan Researcher Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The researcher visa is for anyone entering Japan to undertake research in a company or organization in Japan.
  • Holders of the researcher visa are allowed to engage in research activities on the basis of the contract with a public or private organization.
  • A certificate of eligibility is required.
  • You cannot direct researches in colleges in the country.
  • A letter of invitation from the organization you intend to work with in Japan is required.
  • Documents like transcript of corporate registration, certificate of payment of corporate tax, balance sheet and annual report of the organization should be provided.
  • Copy of any graduation certificate you have should be provided.
  • A copy of your curriculum vitae should be provided.
  • Applicants should provide a statement explaining the nature of the research to be undertaken in the country.
  • You are expected to exit the country at the expiry of your visa.

Japan Investor/Business Manager Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Foreigners who apply for this visa type are allowed to engage in activities such as operation, investment and management of international trade.
  • Applicants of this visa can also operate and manage businesses while in the country.
  • To engage in any of the activities associated with a work visa, you should have a legal qualification.
  • You must obtain a certificate of eligibility.
  • It is recommended that you are immunized against hepatitis B, polio and tetanus before entering the country.
  • Holders of this visa are expected to leave the country at the expiry of the visa.
  • Non-South Africans applying for this visa should provide a copy of their South African stay permit.
  • This visa does not allow you to study.
  • The visa is valid for between 1 – 3 years.

Japan Intra-Company Transfer Eligibility & Requirements

  • Applicants of this visa are workers of a particular company in Japan with a branch in South Africa.
  • You are allowed to engage in activities that you were doing while you were working in the South African branch of the company.
  • Applicants of this visa must have worked for a period of a year in the South African branch of the company before they are granted this visa.
  • Proof that the applicant is a worker in the organization is required. This may be in form of pay slips
  • The visa is valid for a period of 3 years.
  • Immunization against polio, hepatitis B and tetanus is advised.
  • Applicants curriculum vitae is required.
  • A letter of invitation from the organization in Japan is required. The duration and purpose of your visit in the country should be clearly stated in the letter.
  • Receipt of paid visa application fees is required.

Japan Professor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa allows you to engage in research activities while in the country.
  • You can direct researches in colleges and other educational institutions.
  • To apply for this visa, you must obtain a certificate of eligibility.
  • Any graduation certificate you may possess should be tendered.
  • A copy of your curriculum vitae should be provided.
  • The visa is valid for a period of between 1 – 3 years.
  • You are advised to be immunized against hepatitis B, polio and tetanus.
  • The visa takes 2 working days to be ready.

Japan Entertainer Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Foreigners visiting Japan on an entertainment visa do so with the intention of performing in theatres and musical concerts.
  • You can also engage in sport activities and other show businesses.
  • All applicants must obtain a certificate of eligibility before applying for this visa.
  • The visa ceases to be valid after 1 year.
  • You are expected to leave the country at the expiry of your visa.
  • Foreigners are advised to be immunized against hepatitis B, polio and tetanus.
  • If you are a non-South African applying for this passport, a copy of your South African stay permit is required.
  • Minors should ensure they have the original copy of their birth certificate.

Japan Engineer Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The engineer visa authorizes foreigners to engage in providing engineering services or the other science fields on the basis of a contract with public or private organization in Japan.
  • A contract with full details of terms and conditions of employment should be provided.
  • The company you are meeting with in Japan should provide a letter of invitation with your details clearly stated in the letter.
  • Your curriculum vitae should be provided.
  • Graduation certificate is required.
  • Ensure that you are immunized against hepatitis B, tetanus and polio before traveling to Japan.
  • A copy of your South African stay permit should be provided if you are a non-South African.
  •  The visa has a validity of 1 year.

Japan Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Business visa

3000.00 (JPY)

Work visa

Investor/Business Manager Visa

Researcher Visa

Intra-Company Transfer

Professor Visa

Entertainer Visa

Engineer Visa

6000.00 (USD)

(USD)

(USD)

(USD)

(USD)

(USD)

Japan Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

259 Baines Street, Corner Frans Oerder Street, Groenkloof, Pretoria.

http://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp

consul@pr.mofa.go.jp

+27 12 452 1500

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners work in Japan??

Yes, foreigners in Japan can work but they are advised to taking up work in bars.

Is Japan visa free??

No, Japan is not free for South Africa.

How much is the tourist visa in Japan??
The single-entry visa is 3,000 yen while the multiple-entry visa is 6,000 yen.
Is Japan safe to visit??
The only fear in Japan is the risk of natural disaster. Asides this, Japan in relatively safe.
What should I avoid in Japan??

If you are planning a trip to Japan, avoid breaking the rules of chopstick etiquette, don’t ignore the queuing system, don’t blow your nose in public, and don’t leave a tip.