Stay in Japan or Tour
You don’t need a visa to enter Japan for tourism if you’re from a nation that doesn’t require one, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and much of Europe.
However, you do need to show that you have an e-Passport or a valid passport with at least two blank pages. You must also submit a photo that is at most six months.
Visa Requirements
You may need a visa to enter Japan, depending on your travel plans. You can acquire a business, work or Japan tourist visa.
The requirements for entering Japan vary by country. However, most foreign nationals must have a valid passport and a visa before arrival to enter Japan. In addition, visitors must submit fingerprint scans and photographs upon entry.
Some travelers, such as diplomats or official visa holders, children under 16 years of age, notable permanent residents and Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) personnel, are exempt from these requirements. Also, some travelers may require a pre-encounter medical test to meet health standards.
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or entry visa will sometimes be issued instead of a visa. It serves as a preliminary screening process that confirms that you are eligible to enter Japan and will allow you to apply for your visa upon arrival.
A Japanese embassy or consulate issues the COE, which can take 5 to 7 days to process. The processing times can be longer during busy periods, and planning is best.
Certificate of Eligibility
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document that confirms your status of residence in Japan. If you are a foreign national, you must obtain a COE before entering Japan to ensure your visa application will be approved.
Those traveling to Japan for work and long-term stay can apply for a COE to help speed up obtaining a visa. However, if you are only planning to visit for a short time and do not require a COE, you can still travel to Japan on a temporary visitor status of residence.
This type of visa is valid for one year and renewable for up to five years. Those who come to stay in Japan on this visa cannot bring their families and can only stay up to three months.
In addition, you must register your residence address in Japan when arriving at Narita or Haneda Airports if you plan on staying for a while. You can do this after receiving your Residence Card from the immigration office.
When you arrive at one of these airports, you can join the lines to receive your entry visa and Residence Card. Make sure to tell the staff at the immigration office you have a COE before you go into the line.
Travel Documents
You must obtain a Japan visa when you enter the country, whether traveling for business or pleasure. There are several ways to get a Japan visa, including a Japan e-visa.
In addition to a valid passport, you will also need to submit a Japan visa application form and two passport-style photographs. Once you’ve submitted these documents, you’ll be sent a Japan visa via email.
The visa is issued by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country, whichever accepts visa applications from your country. You’ll need to apply at the embassy or consulate that is closest to you.
Those traveling to Japan for short-term purposes only need a visa on arrival, available at most major airports. You must present your valid passport and application form, two photographs, a fee, and proof of citizenship.
For those visiting for over six months, you will need a cultural activities visa, which can be obtained at regional immigration offices. Only in July 2012 those with this type of visa were required to obtain a Re-entry Permit before leaving the country, but now they can go without one.
All travelers with prescription medications should ensure they have received their “Yakkan Shoumei” (importation certificate) before entering the country. It allows them to bring only the amount of drugs the MLHW has approved for import into the country. It’s also important to know that many common medications, including Vicks inhalers and cold and flu medicines containing Pseudoephedrine, are banned under Japan’s strict anti-stimulant drugs laws.
Visa Fees
The visa fee associated with entering Japan depends on several factors. These include the type of visa you are applying for, your nationality, and whether or not you want a single or multiple-entry visa.
If you plan to work in Japan, you must apply for a work visa. Once you have this visa, you can legally work in the country. The process is relatively straightforward and will take a few days to complete.
In addition to a work visa, you need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This document will indicate that you have the necessary qualifications to live and work in Japan.
You will also need to register with a local municipality upon arrival. You can do this through your employer or on your own. The registration should only take two weeks and will require a copy of your passport and residence card (Zai Liu kado).
Many foreigners do not need a visa to enter Japan, but you must check with your consulate. Some countries can enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
You can apply for a Zairyu kumite or temporary residency permit during a shorter stay. This particular permit allows you to spend a brief period in the country. It is valid for most nationals worldwide and can be obtained at the airport upon arrival.
