Japan Visit Visa - Definitive Guide

There are certain formalities that you need to follow at the time of travelling to another country. For visiting your friends and family in Japan, you will need a Visit visa to Japan. To obtain a Visit visa, you require an invitation from the person you are visiting in Japan. The validity for a Japan Visit visa is 180 days, permitting a stay of 30 days per visit.

You first need to make sure that you meet the eligibility for the application of Japan Visit visa. Only after you can go ahead with the application process. The process of application is mainly offline and can be applied directly to the embassy or through the visa application centre. The process for the visa is given as follows:

1. Download the Japan Visit visa application form from the official website of the visa application centre.
2. Fill out all the required information on the form and go through the checklist provided.
3. Fulfil all the requirements that are asked by the authorities.
4. Print the visa application form.
5. Attach all the supporting documents along with the photographs as per the specifications.
6. Submit the application form to your nearest branch of the visa application centre.
7. Pay the fee at the time of submission.
8. Collect your passport after the processing of the visa.

There are a few things to take care of when you are filling out the visa application form. You need to make sure that you provide only the correct information on the application form. The information provided must match the details on the passport and other documents. If in case, any issues are found with the application, there are chances that your visa may get refused. A visa refusal can affect applications for your further Visit visa for Japan applications or any other visa to any country. To avoid the same, it is safe to acquire a professional visa consultation.

There are certain factors that you need to consider to be able to obtain a Visit visa. The criteria that make you eligible for the permit are mentioned as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
1. If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Japan.
2. You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements

1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Japan.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
3. You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements

1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Japan.
2. You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Japan.
2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.
3. If the trip is sponsored, proper documents for the same must be made available.

There are different documents that are required at the time of issuing a visa. The documents required for visit visa to Japan are given as follows:

• Original passport with validity at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel
• Completely filled visa application form
• Two photos as per the photo specifications
• Proof of confirmed travel dates 
1. Air tickets
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Japan
1. Travel requisition by employer
2. Letter of mission
3. Latest Income Tax Returns
4. Bank Statment
• Proof of accommodation
1. Hotel reservation
2. Invitation letter

The photo specifications for Japan visit visa are as follows:

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 45mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Visit visa to Japan is about 4 to 7 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. 

The visa fee for Japan Visit visa is estimated based on several parameters and it will vary as per the type of visa too. It is to be paid to the visa application centres along with the service charges. Also, you must pay the fee only in cash, else if you do not have access to a visa application centre branch, you can send in the fee with a demand draft.

After the submission of the Japan Visit visa application form along with your passport and other documents, 

• You can then wait for the processing before you can collect your passport. 
• You can choose any feasible branch of the visa application centre as per your reach.
• Meet the checklist that is provided by the centre in order to get the visa sooner. 
• If the documents are missing, it will only take time for the processing and verification of the same.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

The status of your Visit visa to Japan can be tracked online. To check the status, you can visit the official website of the visa application centre. You will need to enter your reference number and your date of birth to check the processing of the visa. Alternatively, you can call the helpline number provided by the visa application centre to know the status of your visa.

After the processing and verification of the documents, you will be granted your Visit visa to Japan. However, there are certain things to be kept in mind before travelling to Japan as a Visit. Some of the pointers are mentioned as follows:

• Before you travel
1. Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
2. You should travel to Japan within the validity of your visa.
3. Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
4. Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

1. Once you enter the country, make sure that you fill out the landing card.
2. Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
3. Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
4. Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
5. Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Japan

1. Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
2. The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
3. Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.