Japan offers several types of visas depending on your purpose and length of stay. Over 60 countries allow their citizens to visit Japan visa-free for tourism or business.

If your country is not on that list, you’ll need to apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. 

To simplify things, Japan launched an eVisa system in 2022 for U.S. and Canadian citizens, making the process more accessible. Currently, short-term U.S. and Canadian visitors do not require a visa, and it's anticipated that the eVisa will expand to other nationalities.

Types of Japan Visas

Japan issues three main categories of visas. There are various kinds of visas for Japan, and more will be added in the future, including the eVisa. Visas are acquired directly from Japanese embassies and consulates; even the visa application must be completed online. 

Japanese visas may be divided into three categories: 

1. Working Visa 
2. Non-Working Visa 
3. Family-related visas

How To Apply For Japan Visa

Learn how to apply for a Japan visa with this step-by-step guide. From required documents to application processes for tourist, student, and work visas, discover how Indian citizens can secure their Japan visa smoothly.

How to Apply for Tourist Visa of Japan

 1. Japan Tourist Visa Requirements

To successfully apply for a tourist visa to Japan, candidates must fulfill the following visa conditions.

• Have a valid passport with at least six months left and two blank pages.
• A completed visa application form.
• Please include a current color passport picture and a verified copy of your birth certificate.
• If you are married, please send your marriage certificate (if it was issued within the previous year).
• You must intend to depart Japan after your approved stay.
• Proof of financial capacity indicating that you can sustain yourself financially throughout your stay in Japan
• Provide a certificate of your financial position for the last six months produced by your bank.
• Submit the applicant’s tax return.
• If applying without a sponsor, you must send a copy of your Certificate of Employment.
• Create a timetable and travel arrangements for the trip.

A tourist visa allows Indian visitors to explore Japan for leisure, family visits, or short-term business trips. This visa typically permits a stay of up to 90 days.

Steps to Apply for Japan Tourist Visa:

1. Complete the Visa Application Form: Fill out Japan’s visa application form accurately.
2. Gather Required Documents:
   • Valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months' validity.
   • Recent passport-size photograph.
   • Proof of financial means (bank statements for the last 6 months).
   • Income tax returns or salary slips.
   • Confirmed return flight tickets.
   • Detailed travel itinerary including accommodation details.
   • Employment verification letter or no-objection certificate from employer (if employed).
3. Submit Your Application: Visit the Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC) or the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to submit your application.
4. Wait for Processing: Visa processing generally takes 5-7 working days, so apply well before your intended travel dates.

Additional Tips:
Ensure your financial proof meets Japan’s requirements to demonstrate that you can support your trip independently. Incomplete applications can lead to delays or rejections, so verify all details before submission.

Need Help with Your Japan Visa? Visit our Japan Visa Assistance page for expert guidance and a hassle-free application process.

2. Japan Student Visa for Indians

A student visa is ideal for Indians seeking long-term studies in Japan, whether in language schools, colleges, or universities.

How to Apply for Student Visa in Japan :

1. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE): The Japanese educational institution issues this document to confirm your admission. The school will submit your COE application to Japan’s Immigration Services, and once approved, they will send the original to you.
2. Prepare Required Documents:
   • Original COE.
   • Valid passport and passport-size photo.
   • Filled-out Japan visa application form.
   • Admission letter from the Japanese institution.
   • Proof of funds (bank statements, scholarship letters, or sponsorship documents).
3. Submit Your Visa Application: Once you have your COE, submit it along with other documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate in India.
4. Wait for Processing: Processing usually takes a few days to a week. Upon approval, your passport will be stamped with a student visa.

Additional Tips:
Ensure that you have ample funds or financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses, as this is a crucial part of the application.

3. Japan Work Permit for Indians

A Japan work visa is suitable for Indians looking to pursue employment in Japan. Japan offers multiple types of work visas based on job requirements, such as for engineers, researchers, artists, and more. It’s essential to find employment in Japan before applying, as your employer will assist with the process.

Steps to Apply for Japan Work Visa:

1. Secure a Job Offer in Japan: Your employer in Japan is essential for the visa process and will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf.
2. Obtain Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE): After the COE is issued, your employer will send it to you.
3. Prepare Required Documents:
   • Original COE.
   • Passport with at least six months of validity and blank pages.
   • Passport-size photograph.
   • Completed visa application form.
   • Employment contract or letter from the Japanese company.
4. Submit Your Application: Take the COE and other documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate for visa processing.
5. Await Visa Processing: Work visa processing may take longer than other visa types, typically around 7-10 working days. Once approved, your passport will be stamped with the visa.

Additional Tips:
Ensure that all documents, especially your employment contract and COE, meet Japan’s requirements. A thorough job contract review is essential, as it will outline your work conditions in Japan.

Ready to Apply? Get personalized support for your Japan visa application. Check out our Japan Visa Assistance services

Understand About Different Japanese Visa 

Working Visa 

Working visas are considered long-term stay visas and include employment that needs advanced professional knowledge or abilities; consequently, they exclude essential labor duties. Waiters, construction workers, salespeople, and other occupations are not eligible for a work visa. 

Typical Work Visas: 

1. Engineer, Humanities Specialist, and International Service Engineer. Engineers and Humanities Specialists must have a university degree in their respective disciplines or at least ten years of practical experience. International Services Engineers must have three years of professional experience in their respective fields. 
2. Intra-company transferee. This status pertains to expats of foreign corporations or subsidiaries of Japanese enterprises who have worked in the mentioned abroad office for more than a year. 
3. Skilled labor. This category includes foreign culinary, architecture, or civil engineering jobs, animal training, sports instruction, sommeliers, and the processing of valuable stones. At least three years of professional experience in this sector is required. 
4. Business Managers are those who plan to create or invest in a company in Japan. This category also applies to persons who run businesses on behalf of investors. 

Highly skilled professional. This visa intends to recruit people who will contribute to the Japanese economy. 

Non-Working Visa 

Anyone on a non-working visa may work as long as the immigration office allows. This kind of visa is classified as a short-term stay visa, and some limitations apply. Those working on a non-working visa are limited to the number of permissible hours per week. 

Who can benefit? 

1. The visa application is filed via the school. 

2. Those undergoing training to obtain technologies, skills, or knowledge. This status is given only if the applicant plans to work in a position that requires that technology, skills, or expertise when he returns to his home country. 

3. Technical internships. That includes internships following training on a trainee visa. 

Spouses or children of persons in Japan on work or non-working visas (excluding temporary visits and trainees). 

4. Cultural activities. Cultural or creative pursuits that generate no money. 

5. Students or researchers in Japanese cultural or artistic activities. 

6. University students participate in unpaid internships. 

7. Temporary Visitors (also known as Tourist Visas). This status applies to travelers on holiday, sports, family visits, seminar and conference participants, business meetings, market research, and those going to Japan for public relations purposes. 

8. There is another epigraph for non-working visas, issued case by case, for designated activities. Students on internships, working vacations, and diplomats' housekeepers are among those who may apply for this visa. 

General Tips for Applying for a Japan Visa from India

• Apply Early: Start the process well ahead of your intended travel date, as visa processing times can vary.
• Check for Updates: Visa requirements may change, so it’s best to consult the Japanese embassy or consulate website for the latest information.
• Professional Assistance: If the visa process seems complex, consider consulting a visa agency for guidance.

By following these steps, Indian citizens can apply for the appropriate Japan visa and prepare for an enriching experience in Japan.

FAQs About Japan Visa Process 

What are the requirements for an Indian tourist visa to Japan?

• Indians need a valid passport, financial proof, a return ticket, and a detailed travel itinerary to apply for a Japan tourist visa.

How long does it take to get a Japan visa from India?

• Processing time varies by visa type but usually takes 5-10 working days. It’s recommended to apply well in advance of your travel date.

Can Indian students work in Japan while on a student visa?

• Yes, with permission from the Japanese immigration office, Indian students on a valid student visa can work part-time within specific hour limits.

Do Indian citizens need a job offer to apply for a Japan work visa?

• Yes, a confirmed job offer from a Japanese employer is required to apply for a Japan work visa, along with a Certificate of Eligibility.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a Japan visa?

• The COE is an official document issued by Japan’s immigration authorities, verifying the purpose of your stay. It’s essential for work and student visa applications.