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Is getting a Japan visa easy or difficult? What are the procedures for applying for a Japan tourist visa? Let's find out in this article!
With its modern cities, vibrant atmosphere, beautiful rural landscapes, and world-famous cuisine, Japan is a top destination for travelers seeking a complete Asian experience. And here's some good news for #teamKlook: Japan has fully reopened to welcome tourists back since October 11, 2022, after implementing some of the strictest border control policies in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following information will summarize the latest entry requirements for Japan and some procedures and documents to prepare before your trip to help you smoothly enter Japan.
(*) International tourism reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic; however, many #teamKlook members assess that the process of applying for a Japan tourist visa is no longer as simple as before, with a very high rejection rate. To ensure that your Japan visa application is complete and effective and increase the chances of obtaining a visa, you can use the Japan Visa Application Service available on Klook. This is an excellent choice for busy individuals or elderly travelers.
Who Needs to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa?
If you wish to enter Japan for tourism, visiting family or friends, or other short-term recreational purposes that do not involve paid activities, you need a Japan tourist visa.
Citizens of 68 countries are exempt from visa requirements for entering Japan for tourism purposes. These countries include the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and most European countries, with a granted stay of up to 90 days upon landing.
Citizens of Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and some other countries will need to apply for a tourist visa through the nearest Japanese Embassy, Consulate-General, or designated agents appointed by the Japanese Embassy.
In principle, the short-term Japan visa is only valid for a single entry. However, depending on the purpose of entry, the Japanese Embassy may issue a multiple-entry visa allowing you to enter multiple times, with a total stay in Japan not exceeding six months, whether for visiting relatives, friends, tourism, business, etc.
How Long is the Validity of a Japan Tourist Visa?
A temporary tourist visa allows you to stay in Japan for a maximum of 90 days for purposes such as short-term work, visiting relatives/friends, or sightseeing.
Note that applying for a visa for the purpose of 'tourism' means applying for a visa for sightseeing, leisure activities, and scenic viewing, and you are not allowed to engage in any business activities that generate revenue or receive remuneration.
The visa validity period is 3 months and cannot be extended.
What Documents are Required for a Japan Tourist Visa Application?
When submitting a Japan tourist visa application, you need to prepare some documents as instructed below, and in principle, you should not submit documents not mentioned in the instructions. During the review process, the Embassy may request additional documents if necessary.
1. Passport
1 original valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months, ensuring the right to return to the home country or re-enter the country of residence.
2. Japan Visa Application Form
1 original copy can be downloaded here, with complete and accurate content, bearing a signature identical to the one in the passport.
Please note not to staple the application as the back needs to be processed by machine.
3. Passport Photo
1 photo sized 4.5cm×4.5cm taken within the last 6 months, unaltered, with the name clearly written on the back.
4. Financial Proof Documents
1 copy for each of the following documents:
- Certificate of income issued by the competent authority
- Bank account balance certificate
- Employment confirmation, labor contract, etc.
- Salary statement (last 06 months):
- Submit as many statements as possible
- If salaries are paid through bank accounts, mark with a colored pen to clarify which amount is the salary.
- Term deposit certificate
5. Flight Booking Confirmation or Itinerary
- Flight or train ticket confirmation is accepted. However, it is advisable not to purchase tickets until the visa is received.
- The itinerary is a printed 'travel itinerary' that includes information on departure/arrival dates, times, names, departure/arrival locations.
6. Planned Itinerary in Japan
1 copy of the itinerary outlining planned activities, accommodations, contact information, and itinerary confirmation documents, such as hotel booking confirmation.
You must fill in the entry date, return date, flight name, and airport of entry if you have planned it.
The proposed itinerary must be detailed day by day. You should not only mention vague city names like “Tokyo” or “Kyoto” but specify the exact locations and activities planned at each destination. You can refer to a self-guided Japan travel itinerary suggested by Klook for more ideas.
You need to provide information about your intended accommodation during your trip to Japan. If you are staying at a hotel, please clearly state the name, address, and phone number of that hotel.
#teamKlook reminds you that activities during your stay are only for sightseeing and tourism purposes.
Where to Submit Japan Tourist Visa Application?
After preparing all the necessary documents, the next step is to be ready to submit your application at one of the following addresses.
1. Embassy of Japan in Vietnam
- Address: 27 Liễu Giai Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City
- Phone: 024-3846-3000
The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam covers the jurisdiction from Gia Lai province, Binh Dinh province northward and handles visa applications for residents in this area.
Visa application submission and results collection should be done at the visa window of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam or through designated authorized agents (separate fees apply as determined by the agents). The embassy encourages those living far from the embassy address or too busy to use this service.
2. Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City
- Address: 261 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Phone: 028-4458-1025
The Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City covers the jurisdiction from Dak Lak province, Phu Yen province southward and processes visa applications for residents in this area.
You need to schedule an appointment before coming to submit your visa application via email registration: [email protected]. In the email, please provide all registration information in the attached Excel file template and send it to the provided email address from 09:00 to 16:00 every day.
When submitting your visa application, bring a copy of the reply email from the Consulate-General of Japan (the part indicating the date of document acceptance) and all required documents.
Please note, currently, the Consulate-General of Japan does not accept visa applications in person at the Visa Window. Instead, you will submit your application through designated authorized agents of the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.
Operating Hours of the Embassy and Consulate-General of Japan
- Office Hours: 08:30 – 16:45 Monday to Friday
- Document Submission: 08:30 – 11:30 Monday to Friday
- Result Collection: 13:30 – 16:45 Monday to Friday
How Much Is the Visa Application Fee for Japan?
The single-entry tourist visa fee for Japan is 640,000 VND per application set, applicable from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
Depending on your destination, current location, and purpose of visiting Japan, you may be exempt from the visa fee. For example, if you apply for a tourist visa to Japan and plan to visit Okinawa (which can be combined with family visits or business), you may qualify for a visa fee exemption. You need to request this at the Consular Window when submitting your application, along with documents proving that you meet the conditions for the visa fee exemption, such as: documents proving your intention to visit Okinawa, flight or train ticket confirmations, hotel reservations, or event participation certificates.
On the other hand, according to Japanese laws and regulations, the fee must be paid in cash using Vietnamese Dong. You cannot pay by credit card or check.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Japanese Tourist Visa Application?
The Embassy of Japan requires a minimum of 15 working days to process your visa application from the date they receive your documents. If you submit your visa application through an accredited agency, it will take a minimum of 10 working days.
The Japanese Embassy will not expedite visa processing except for humanitarian reasons, and depending on the visa application content, the processing time may be longer. Therefore, you should submit your Japanese tourist visa application early - up to 3 months before entering Japan - to facilitate your travel arrangements.
Currently, the expected number of visa applications is quite large, and the number of visas that can be issued may be limited, so the Japanese Embassy will not specify the standard processing time until the results are announced.
The Japanese Embassy will also not respond to inquiries regarding early issuance or notification timing for approval results. You must wait until you are contacted in cases with results (including cases applied through accredited agents).
Another note is that if the number of applications exceeds the maximum limit, the Japanese Embassy may temporarily suspend receiving applications for that day. At that time, the review and result announcement for received applications will still proceed.
What is a Transit Visa for Japan?
This type of visa is used for transit, traveling from Vietnam through Japan to a third country. With this visa, you can travel, entertain, and rest while staying in Japan, excluding visits to relatives or friends.
Similar to short-term tourist visas, the application for a transit visa to Japan will include the following documents:
- Original passport
- Visa application form (with attached 4.5cm×3.5cm photo meeting the specified image requirements as mentioned above)
- Plane or train ticket proving your transit through Japan before entering the next country. Additionally, you may be required to submit an itinerary to confirm the number of times, number of days transiting in Japan.
- Present the original and submit a copy of the visa or documents proving re-entry into the next country if required.
Tips for Applying for a Japan Visa - Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to basic information about Japanese tourist visas, you can refer to the following common questions.
1. Do I need an interview for a Japan tourist visa?
An interview is not a mandatory requirement in the Japanese tourist visa application process. However, in some cases where issues related to documents need clarification, the Japanese Embassy may request an interview with you. Review the information provided in your application and answer questions confidently.
2. Do I need to translate my documents for a Japan tourist visa?
The Japanese Embassy does not require translation of your documents into another language.
3. How long do I have to wait to reapply if my Japan tourist visa is denied?
If your visa application is denied, you cannot reapply for the same purpose within 6 months. Additionally, the Japanese Embassy will not disclose the reason for your visa denial.
4. If I postpone my trip, how long will my Japan tourist visa remain valid?
A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months. If you wish to postpone your trip for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for another visa.
Latest Updates on Japan Entry Procedures
Japan has implemented the Fast Track system to expedite the entry process. Prior to your trip, visit Visit Japan Web where you can submit vaccination information and other documents for customs and immigration, then download the QR code to your smartphone.
Upon arrival in Japan, simply present the QR code when requested during the entry process. While not mandatory, it's advisable to have vaccination documents or negative test results printed out.
With all the latest information on Japan tourist visa procedures, #teamKlook hopes to quickly obtain travel permits to the Land of the Rising Sun to enjoy cherry blossoms in the upcoming spring.
Visit Klook Vietnam's Blog for the latest articles on traveling to Japan, entertainment destinations, where to go for year-end holidays, and more. There are plenty of new articles on traveling to Japan for you to explore like Exploring Tokyo Dome City, Japanese Entertainment Paradise, Sensoji Temple, Notable Tourist Attractions in Tokyo, Tokyo Tower, 5-Day 4-Night Tokyo Travel Itinerary Free and Easy, What is JR Pass?, Osaka Travel Destinations, Hokkaido Travel Destinations, Japan Travel Destinations, Check-in at Mount Fuji, Japan's Proud Symbol...
Are you confident with the latest updates on Japan visa application procedures from Klook? Wishing you an amazing trip!
