Japan Visa Guide

Japan is an amazing country to add to your bucket list as things are quite different from the rest of the world. If you need help in getting the visa information for Japan, then this guide is for you!

Happy exploring Japan! ❤️

My Visa Experience

After exploring to 21 countries, I feel Japan is one the countries that is quite efficient in the visa processing. I did not have to go to the consulate. I have Indian Passport and I reside in United States.

I mailed all the documents along with my Indian passport to San Francisco consulate in an envelope and got back my passport with visa in 10 days and paid only 6$ for 5 years multiple entry visa. If you are live in USA and have Indian passport then follow this guide!

Indian Passport holders in USA

Step 1 – Decide Single Entry vs Multiple Entry

• If you prefer to apply online, then e-Visa is granted only for Single Entry 90 days. For that you would need to book flights and show detailed itinerary and pay the same visa fee. Check this website for Japan eVisa.
• I would instead recommend getting multiple entry visa for the same amount by sending your documents in mail instead by following the next set of instructions.

Step 2 – Find your nearest consulate

• Find it by visiting this website. For me the nearest consulate was San Francisco.
• Then I searched for “Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco” and landed this website.
• For short term stay ( less than 90 days stay per visit), Indian passport holders are eligible for 5 year multiple entry visa. Check more information by visiting this website.

Step 3 – Collect all the documents

• Visit this page for detailed instructions.
• Send the original documents of the list below
  1. Valid Passport
  2. One 2×2 Photo
  3. Visa fee of 6$ – Get a money order from places like western union addressed to the Consulate General of Japan
  4. Prepaid USPS self addressed envelope. Only USPS accepted. No Fedex, UPS or DHL accepted.
  5. Copy of Marriage Certificate if adding your spouse in the same application. If you are applying for you and your spouse together, then each person has to submit the above checklist.
  6. Birth certificate of your children if adding your children in the same application.
  7. Copy of US valid visa
  8. Copy of Pay slips from your job or tax return if self-employed
  9. Bank statements showing enough funds for stay, food, flight, experiences. You can also make reservations of the same and attach those print outs too.
  10. Proof of residence like license card, utility bill, bank statements with current address
  11. Release of liability form – check here

Step 4 – Mail all the documents

• Mail the documents to the nearest consulate. I used USPS priority mail service.
• The San Francisco address is
  • Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, VISA Section, 275 Battery Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco, CA 94111

Step 5 – Wait for your passport

• Once all documents are mailed, you will get the passport within 2-4 weeks. So best is to apply at least one to 1.5 months before your trip

Indian Passport holders in India

Step 1 – Visit VFS global and not Japan Embassy

• If you live in India, then the application process is done by VFS global.
• The VFS centers are only in specific cities. You can check the complete list by visiting this VFS global centers website.
• Do not go to Japan Embassy as they do not process visas there.

Step 2 – Book an appointment with VFS

• If you are visiting New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow & Bangalore, it is recommended to book an appointment and go-in person to submit your documents.
• For other VFS centers, an appointment is not needed.

Step 3 – Decide Single Entry vs Multiple Entry

• Indian passport holders can apply for single entry visa if its their first time traveling to Japan. This would come under the category of “Temporary Visitor Visa for Sightseeing without Guarantor”
• People who have traveled to G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Europe Union and the United States) are eligible for multiple entry visa up to 30 days.
• People who have traveled to Japan in the last three years are eligible for multiple entry visa
• People who have sufficient financial capacity are also eligible to apply. Even if their spouse have sufficient financial capacity are also eligible to apply. This category needs to show proof of income and current account balance to justify.

Step 4 – Collect documents

• Japan Application form
• Document checklist
• Passport
• Cover letter – sample here
• Flight tickets round trip
• Hotel bookings
• Itinerary – Sample at the end of this blog
• Leave approval letter from employer or NOC from employer – sample here
• Income tax return if applicable for last 3 years
• Photo 2×2 – check specifications
• Visa fee 500 Rupees

NOTE: The documents will vary depending on the type of visa and the visa center. Please check the VFS website for more details

Step 5 – Collect Passport

• Processing time can range from 5 days for eVisa to 2 weeks.
• If getting the passport mailed, then it will take 2 to 3 weeks minimum
• Always apply ahead of time to avoid delays

Indian Passport holders in other countries

• If you are residing in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, you are eligible for Single Entry Japan e-Visa for short stay.
• Check this e-Visa website for more details on e-Visa.
• For single and multiple entry visa check the consulate of Japan close to where you reside. This will require you to send the passports by mail.
  • For example, if you reside in United Arab Emirates and want to apply for multiple entry visa check this website
  • If you reside in United Kingdom and want to apply for multiple entry visa check this website.
  • Similarly search for the Japan consulate in the country where you reside, the website will give you detailed information on the process and the processing time.

Rest of the Passport holders

• Check if your passport is visa free by checking this website
• If your passport needs a visa, first find the nearest consulate of Japan in your country of residence
• If you are residing in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, you are eligible for Single Entry Japan e-Visa for short stay. Check this website for more details
• For non e-Visa, mostly it would be to send a set of documents (like USA mentioned above) without going to the consulate or dropping the document in the consulate and wait to get the passport back with visa.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1 – Arrival in Haneda or Narita Airport in Tokyo
• Day 2 – Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Shopping, Akihabara, Teamlab planets Day 3 – Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Shinjuku
• Day 4 – Travel to Kyoto in Shinkansen Bullet train, Explore Gion district
• Day 5 – Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tea ceremony, Kiyomizu-dera temple
• Day 6 – Day Trip to Nara, Todai-ji temple, Nara Park
• Day 7 – Travel to Osaka, Osaka castle, Umeda Sky sunset, Explore Dotonbori, Osaka downtown
• Day 8 – Fly back from Kansai Airport to Haneda or Narita to home country

Cost Estimation

• Flight costs from 500-1500$ depending on where you fly from.
• Host costs atleast 150$ for 2 people per day
• Food costs 10-20$ per meal
• Transportation costs 10-20$ a day
• Experiences costs 20-100$ during a 8 day trip and depends on your preference
• Street shopping can range but budget 100-200$ minimum per trip

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