Comprehensive A-Z Guide to Applying for a Japan Tourist Visa Independently

As you may already know, Japan is one of the most challenging Asian countries to obtain a visa for. However, that’s not all. The Land of the Rising Sun also enforces numerous 'principles' when issuing visas to foreign nationals entering their country. So, what exactly is required for the Japan visa application process? Is it as difficult as we imagine? Discover the tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently in the article below to get the most accurate answers.

What Are the Tips for Applying for a Japan Tourist Visa Independently?

Japan is a dream destination for countless travelers. However, the Japanese visa process poses a significant barrier for many Vietnamese tourists due to its strict visa assessment rules. This is also one of the main reasons why many travelers seek tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently. Mytour will share some proven strategies to increase your chances of successfully obtaining a Japan tourist visa!

Everyone should have some tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently to increase their chances of approval (Image source: Collected)

First, let’s understand what a Japan tourist visa is. A Japan visa, often referred to as a 'travel permit,' is issued by the Japanese government to foreign nationals, granting them the right to enter the country for a specific purpose. To visit the land of cherry blossoms, Vietnamese travelers must complete the Japan visa application process. Therefore, obtaining a visa is a prerequisite for traveling to Japan.

Depending on the purpose of entry, the issued visa will have different codes. For tourists, a short-term visa marked with the symbol V is typically granted.

Requirements for Obtaining a Japan Tourist Visa

Any Vietnamese citizen is eligible to apply for a Japan visa. However, not everyone will succeed in obtaining one. A Japan tourist visa requires applicants to meet the following criteria:

• The passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Most importantly, the applicant must return to their home country or re-enter the country of residence.

• The visa application documents must be submitted in the correct order, and the information provided must match reality.

• The activities in Japan and the duration of stay must align with the residency status and period specified in the Immigration Control Act.

• The applicant must not fall under any of the categories listed in Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act.

Failure to meet these basic conditions significantly increases the likelihood of your Japan tourist visa application being rejected.

What Documents Are Required for a Japan Visa Application?

What do you need to prepare for tips on applying for a Japan tourist visa independently? First and foremost, a complete application package. A fully prepared Japan tourist visa application must include the following essential documents.

1. Personal Identification Documents

Before entering a foreign country, you need to prepare certain documents to verify your personal information, including:

• The original passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of issue.

• Two photos sized 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Requirements include a white background, clear facial features with ears visible, no glasses, and taken within 3 months of the application submission date. The back of the photos must clearly state the full name.

• Prepare a notarized copy of your ID card/Citizen ID (both sides).

• Household registration book (notarized copy of all pages).

• Notarized copy of the marriage certificate.

• Notarized copy of the birth certificate.

In addition to personal identification documents, travelers should not forget to exchange Vietnamese currency to Japanese yen for convenient transactions (Image source: Collected)

2. Japan Tourist Visa Application Form

You can download the Japan tourist visa application form from the official website of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam. Then, fill out the form with your details before submitting it officially.

3. Documents Proving Employment Status

A stable job is one of the biggest advantages for the Japanese Embassy to approve your tourist visa. It also serves as proof that your income is in good standing. Additionally, this plays a significant role in the Japan tourist visa approval process. So, how can you ensure your employment documents are well-evaluated by the Japanese Embassy? Below are some tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently regarding proof of employment.

• If you are an employee working at an organization or company: Provide transaction statements for the last 3 months and monthly salary slips. Additionally, include your employment contract and a leave approval letter for Japan, confirmed by your employer.

• If you are a business owner: You need a business registration certificate and tax payment reports for the last 3 months.

• If you are a student: Submit your student ID along with a temporary leave application signed and confirmed by the school principal.

• Additionally, prepare a few other important documents as required by the authorities.

4. Proof of Personal Financial Status

In addition to employment proof, financial proof is equally important. This type of document is crucial in determining whether your visa application will be approved. Evidence of stable personal finances typically includes a savings book or bank statements showing your account balance.

Proof of financial status is one of the key factors determining whether your Japan tourist visa application will be approved (Image source: Collected)

Here are 2 tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently to prepare a strong financial proof:

• The minimum balance in your savings account should be at least $5,000 (equivalent to 240,000,000 VND) with a minimum validity of 3 months, along with your last 3 months' salary slips.

• Additionally, include documents for real estate, stocks, properties, or cars (if applicable) owned by the visa applicant. While these documents are not mandatory, they significantly increase the chances of visa approval.

5. Detailed Travel Itinerary

When applying for a Japan tourist visa, travelers must provide a detailed plan, including the departure and return dates. The more detailed your travel itinerary, the higher your chances of visa approval. Below are some

tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently to create an ideal travel schedule with a high success rate:

• The itinerary must be clear, listing every tourist destination you plan to visit. Additionally, the duration of stay at each location is equally important.

• Confirm hotel booking dates and the expected departure time must align with the previously declared itinerary.

6. Important Notes Before Submitting Your Application

Based on tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently, before preparing your documents, pay attention to a few key points to increase your approval chances:

• All required documents must be printed on A4-sized paper.

• The application does not require English or Japanese translations.

• Only notarize important documents as requested by the Embassy. Notably, the notarization must be done within 3 months of submitting the application.

• Declared information such as hotel bookings, travel itineraries, and leave applications must match the actual details.

• Highlight key information for easier identification.

• Organize the documents in the order listed above to streamline the approval process. This also helps avoid confusion when searching for specific documents.

Before applying for a visa, don’t forget these important notes! (Image source: Collected)

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Japan Visa

Once you’ve prepared all the necessary documents for a Japan tourist visa, the next step is the submission process. The process consists of 6 basic steps that travelers should be aware of:

• Step 1 - Identify the appropriate visa type: You can apply for different visa types depending on your purpose, needs, duration of stay, and financial capability.

• Step 2 - Prepare your documents: After determining the visa type, carefully gather all necessary documents as per the guidelines above.

• Step 3 - Schedule an appointment: Submit your visa application at the Embassy, Consulate General, or VFS Global at the pre-booked time.

• Step 4 - Submit your application and pay the processing fee: If applying at the Embassy, you only need to pay the fee once the visa result is available.

• Step 5 - Track and receive the result.

Where to Submit Your Japan Visa Application

Currently, there are many locations in Vietnam where you can submit your Japan tourist visa application. The most reputable include the Embassy, Consulate General, or authorized travel agencies.

Embassy of Japan in Vietnam:

• Address: 27 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

• Working hours: From 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM (Monday to Friday).

Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Address: 261 Dien Bien Phu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Working hours: From 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM (Monday to Friday).

The Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most reliable locations for tourist visa applications today (Image source: Collected)

How Much Does a Japan Visa Cost?

Despite the challenging approval process, Japan is one of the countries with the lowest visa application fees in the world. Moreover, travelers only need to pay the fee after the visa is officially issued (if applying at the Embassy or Consulate General). Specifically, the Japan tourist visa fee includes the following costs:

Phân loại visa du lịch Nhật Bản	Lệ phí (VNĐ)
Visa nhập cảnh 1 lần	640.000 VNĐ
Visa nhập cảnh nhiều lần	1.300.000 VNĐ
Gia hạn thời hạn cho phép tái nhập cảnh	650.000 VNĐ

What Is the Validity Period of a Japan Visa?

According to tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently, a Japan tourist visa is a short-term visa. Therefore, the maximum validity period for a tourist visa is 90 days! Additionally, this type of visa allows only a single entry with a maximum stay of 15 days.

However, if you have visited Japan continuously within the last 3 years or hold a visa from certain developed countries, the maximum validity can extend up to 1 to 5 years, with a maximum stay of 30 days.

Should You Apply for a Visa at the Embassy or Through VFS Global?

Many travelers wonder whether to apply for a visa at the Embassy or through VFS Global. Based on tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently, Mytour will suggest these two application methods to provide a more comprehensive perspective:

Hạng mục	Nộp qua ĐSQ/TLSQ	Nộp qua VFS Global
Thời gian cấp	Sau 15 ngày	Sau 10 ngày
Phí làm visa	Mất phí thị thực sau khi được cấp	Mất phí thị thực dù có trượt visa hay không. Ngoài ra, quý khách phải đóng thêm phí dịch vụ
Dịch vụ chuyển phát	Không có dịch vụ chuyển phát nhanh	Chuyển phát nhanh kết quả thị thực trên toàn quốc
Đặt lịch hẹn	Bắt buộc đặt lịch hẹn trước	Không cần đặt lịch hẹn trước. Chỉ cần đến trung tâm là có thể xin thị thực được

Overall, both methods have their pros and cons. When applying through the Embassy/Consulate, the processing time is longer, but there are no fees if your visa is denied. On the other hand, VFS Global processes visas about 5 days faster than the Embassy, but travelers incur additional service fees. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences.

How Long Does the Visa Processing Take?

In principle, the result of a Japan tourist visa application will be returned within 7 working days from the date of submission. However, in practice, the processing time may extend to 10-15 days.

If an interview or additional documents are required, it may take several weeks to receive the result. Therefore, travelers should submit their visa applications as early as possible to avoid disrupting their travel plans.

Important Notes When Applying for a Japan Visa

If you’re wondering whether applying for a Japan tourist visa is difficult, the answer is no! As long as you meet all the evaluation criteria and requirements of the Embassy, your chances of approval are very high. Below are some tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa with a high approval rate that you should keep in mind:

• First, prepare your documents thoroughly and accurately. Never use fake or forged documents, as the likelihood of visa rejection is extremely high. Moreover, such unethical practices can negatively impact your future visa applications.

• Do not purchase flight tickets before your visa is approved. This is an unwritten rule that every traveler should know. The visa application process does not require proof of flight bookings, and the Japanese Embassy will not take responsibility if your visa is denied.

• Promptly submit any additional documents requested by the Embassy. Complying with their requirements will create a positive impression of your application.

• If a visa interview is required, always maintain politeness and honesty when answering the interviewer’s questions.

• Once submitted, documents will not be returned. If you need to keep original identification documents, submit notarized copies instead.

• Do not send documents directly via email, postal mail, or fax to the Embassy unless explicitly requested. Most unsolicited submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

• If your Japan tourist visa is denied, you cannot reapply for the same purpose within 6 months (from the date of rejection). Therefore, familiarize yourself with the visa application rules and prepare your documents carefully to avoid rejection.

• Remember that the Japanese Embassy/Consulate will not disclose the reason for visa rejection.

Keep these tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently in mind to make the process smoother (Image source: Collected)

Important Notes on Japan Entry Procedures

After completing the basic visa application process, you should note some important points related to entering Japan:

• Prepare your original passport and Japan tourist visa.

• Accurately fill out the immigration and customs declaration forms. The customs form is only available in Japanese, while the immigration form includes English, making it easier to complete.

• At the customs area, there are two sections for immigration procedures. First-time visitors to Japan should proceed to the Foreigner section, while those who have entered Japan before should go to the Re-entry counter to submit their documents.

• At the check-in area, travelers will have their fingerprints taken and a facial photo captured.

• When entering Japan for the first time, ensure all information is filled out accurately. Based on tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently, avoid bringing vegetables, fruits, or other prohibited items into the country.

• Exit and entry procedures in Japan can be complicated. Before leaving, you must complete a re-entry/exit memo and submit additional documents such as your passport, flight ticket, and alien registration card for customs approval. Failure to obtain the customs stamp may prevent you from leaving Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Interview Required for a Japan Visa?

Most Japan tourist visa applications do not require an interview. However, in some cases, the Embassy may request an interview to clarify certain details related to your documents. Make sure to prepare thoroughly so you can confidently and smoothly answer any questions during the interview!

Is It Possible to Extend a Japan Visa?

You can extend your Japan tourist visa by preparing the necessary documents. However, you must submit your application at the local Immigration Bureau at least 3 months before your current visa expires.

How Long After a Japan Visa Rejection Can You Reapply?

The answer is within 6 months! After 6 months from the date of rejection, you cannot reapply for a visa with the same purpose.

In Which Cases Is Financial Proof Exempted for a Japan Tourist Visa?

You are exempt from providing financial proof if you fall under the following categories:

• If you are a primary school teacher or above, a customs officer, tax officer, doctor, journalist/reporter, flight attendant, lawyer, or architect. If you work in any of these professions, you only need to submit proof of employment and a professional license.
• If you work for a foreign company or a government organization with a salary of 10 million VND or more. Or if you are an office-level employee or above with a salary below 10 million VND. In this case, you must submit proof of employment and salary.
• If you hold a Master’s degree or higher. You must submit proof of employment and your degree to the Embassy or relevant authorities.

Above is the complete guide on tips for applying for a Japan tourist visa independently. We hope these insights help you achieve a higher visa approval rate. If you’re interested in booking a Japan tour, please contact the hotline 028 3827 0404 of Mytour for free consultation!