Japan Short-Term Stay / Temporary Visitor Visa (Tourist)
Category: Tourist / Visitor · Processing time: 5–15 business days following submission.
Recently verified
Apply through official authority
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-23.
Visa type
Tourist / Visitor
Processing time
5–15 business days following submission.
Fees
SingleEntryVisaFee: ¥15,000 (Effective July 1, 2026)
Validity
Typically 3 months from the date of issue (must enter Japan within this timeframe).
Stay duration
Up to 90 days (commonly issued for 15, 30, or 90 days depending on itinerary and nationality).
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
Bookmark
Save this visa to My Plan
Overview
Authorizes short-term stays for tourism or non-remunerated visits. Path to PR: No.
- Leads to permanent residency: No
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: No
- Minimum education: N/A
- Financial requirement: No explicit statutory minimum; must show clear funding matching the travel itinerary (recommended guideline: ~¥10,000 to ¥20,000 per day of stay).
- Accommodation proof: Yes (Requires full hotel bookings, host addresses, or a specific daily lodging itinerary).
Estimated Costs
- - SingleEntryVisaFee: ¥15,000 (Effective July 1, 2026)
- - MultipleEntryVisaFee: ¥30,000 (Effective July 1, 2026)
- - ServiceCenterFee: Varies if utilizing external providers (VFS Global / specialized agencies)
Required Documents
- - Valid Passport (with at least 6 months validity and blank visa pages)
- - Completed Visa Application Form with recent passport-compliant photograph
- - Detailed daily travel itinerary (Form 'Keikokusho')
- - Recent personal bank statements proving financial capability
- - Confirmed round-trip or onward flight reservation details
- - Hotel booking confirmations or Letter of Invitation/Guarantee if staying with a resident host
Application Steps
- Check if your nationality is exempt from tourist visa requirements.
- If not exempt, complete the digital application via the official JAPAN eVISA portal or gather paper forms for a designated visa center.
- Compile proof of personal financial sufficiency, accommodations, and flight schedules.
- Submit the application packet to the nearest Japanese Embassy, Consulate, or authorized third-party provider (VFS/VisaHQ).
- Pay the newly adjusted consular visa fees upon request or approval.
- Pre-register travel details on the Visit Japan Web portal to generate immigration QR codes prior to boarding.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Immigration Services Agency of Japan →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees.
Open appointment or official portal →Browse foreign embassies in Japan (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
Track your Tourist / Visitor Visa preparation
Check items off as you prepare. Progress is saved in this browser and can be synced from My Plan.
Get visa checklist updates
Receive relevant reminders and source updates for Tourist / Visitor Visa in Japan.
Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Lawful entry for tourism and family visits
- - Multiple-entry options at many missions
- - Recognised across borders for transit purposes
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Japan depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission auto
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Japan, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in Japan for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for Japan, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter Japan, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border chec
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for Japan through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa processi
Scammers advertise fake apartments in Japan, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Tourist / Visitor Visa. It does not replace official legal assessment.
Common Rejection Reasons
- - Insufficient or volatile bank account balances relative to the length of the planned stay.
- - Inconsistent, unrealistic, or poorly mapped daily travel itineraries.
- - Lack of compelling ties to the home country, causing concerns regarding potential overstaying.
- - Failure to provide valid onward flight information.
Application Tips
- - Double-check your passport's country status—citizens of visa-exempt nations do not need to apply for this visa or pay the new fees.
- - Be aware that the dramatic fee increases to ¥15,000/¥30,000 apply to applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026.
- - Always rely on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) portals for electronic filing to avoid processing scams.
- - Ensure your daily itinerary details line up exactly with your hotel check-in and check-out dates to prevent delays during review.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Summary record maintained for planning and source verification.
Feedback
Was this guide helpful?
Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority.
Summarize this page with AI
Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode.
Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
This visa is designed for applicants matching Tourist / Visitor pathway criteria.
Typical processing time is 5–15 business days following submission., subject to documentation quality and application volume.
Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting.