Japan eVisa (Electronic Visa) Application Guide

Apply online for your Japan visa — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa system lets eligible travelers submit a full online visa application without visiting an embassy.

What is JAPAN eVISA?

JAPAN eVISA is a system by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) that provides a way to apply for a visa online and issues an electronic visa. Currently, only applicants applying for a single-entry short-term stay visa for the purpose of tourism (up to 90 days) may use the system.

Important: You cannot apply through eVISA if your purpose is visiting relatives/friends, attending a conference, business, study, work, or transit. For other visa types, apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. eVISA only accepts online credit card payment — cash is not accepted.

Go to eVISA Website 76 FAQs

24/7

Online Application

5 Days

Standard Processing

3 Months

Visa Validity

15/30/90

Days of Stay

Eligibility

Countries Eligible for Direct Online Application

Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. — foreign nationals legally residing in these countries (except visa-exempt persons), holding an ordinary passport, travelling to Japan by air or international scheduled ferry for tourism.

Who Cannot Apply Through eVISA

Those convicted of criminal offences or deported; dual nationals of Japan and another country; those applying for multiple-entry visas; those visiting for purposes other than tourism (relatives/friends, business, study, work, transit).

Application Through Accredited Agencies Required

China (stay period 15/30 days), Philippines (packaged tours only), Vietnam (packaged tours only, 15 days), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Mongolia, Republic of Korea (excl. Jeju), UAE.

Visa-Exempt Nationals

If your nationality is eligible for visa-free entry to Japan, you do not need to apply for an eVISA. Check the MOFA website to confirm.

Online Visa Application Flow (5 Steps)

Step 1: Check Required Documents

Enter your nationality and country of residence on the eVISA top page to find out what visa you need and what documents to prepare. Required documents vary by country of residence and nationality.

Step 2: Enter Application Information

Create an eVISA account, enter your personal details, passport information, travel plans, and upload required documents. Review carefully and click 'Submit'.

Step 3: Examination Result Notification

The result will be sent to your registered email. You can also check the application status by logging into your account at any time.

Step 4: Pay Visa Fee

After receiving a fee notification email, pay by credit card online. eVISA accepts only online credit card payment — no cash. In principle, the applicant and card holder must be the same person.

Step 5: eVISA Issuance

eVISA is issued after payment. For fee-exempt cases, it is issued automatically after Step 3. No refunds after issuance.

Required Documents

✓Valid ordinary passport (diplomatic and official passports are NOT eligible)
✓Recent photo taken within 6 months (JPG/PNG/GIF/BMP/HEIC, under 2MB, plain background, face clearly centered)
✓Passport data page scan (must include MRZ, PDF/TIF/JPG/PNG, min 640×480 resolution)
✓Round-trip flight/ship booking or itinerary (confirmed ticket not required — a booking is sufficient)
✓Accommodation confirmation
✓Proof of financial means (bank statement, etc.)
✓Detailed daily travel schedule
✓Supporting documents: max 50 pages, each file under 2MB
✓The Japanese overseas establishment may require specific additional documents — check their website

Visa Fees & Processing Time

Visa Fees

Single entry: ¥15,000 — raised from ¥3,000 on 1 July 2026, Japan's first visa-fee increase since 1978

Multiple entry: ¥30,000 (was ¥6,000). Some countries are eligible for exemption or reduction under reciprocal arrangements — notably, Indian nationals keep a reduced flat rate (₹500 in India) under the Japan–India bilateral agreement

eVISA accepts only online credit card payment — no cash

No refunds after visa issuance, regardless of whether you travel to Japan. In principle, the applicant and credit card holder must be the same person (minors excepted). If you don't have a credit card, apply for a paper visa at the embassy/consulate.

Processing Time

Normally 5 business days (counted from when the embassy confirms the application is complete)

May take over 1 month during peak periods, or if interview/additional documents/MOFA Tokyo review is needed

Processing starts when the embassy confirms your application is complete, NOT from the submission date. Incomplete applications will be returned or cancelled. Apply well in advance — the earliest is 3 months before your travel date.

eVISA vs Traditional Visa

Feature	eVISA (Electronic)	Traditional (Paper)
Application	Online, 24/7 (accepted during office hours)	In-person at embassy/consulate
Documents	Electronic upload (up to 50 pages)	Original or copies in person
Scope	Tourism only, single entry (15/30/90 days)	All visa types and purposes
Payment	Online credit card only	Cash or bank transfer
Entry Method	Display Visa Issuance Notice on device	Visa sticker affixed to passport
Passport	Ordinary passport only; must enter with same passport	All passport types

Important Notes & Limitations

⚠eVISA is for tourism ONLY — visiting relatives/friends, business, study, work, transit are NOT eligible
⚠Only ordinary passport holders may apply — diplomatic and official passports are not accepted
⚠You must enter Japan with the same passport used for the application; a renewed passport invalidates the eVISA
⚠At immigration, you MUST display the Visa Issuance Notice online on your device (smartphone/tablet) — PDF, screenshots, printouts are NOT accepted
⚠eVISA is valid for 3 months from issuance (counted from the day after issue date); it becomes invalid after one entry
⚠Stay period is 15, 30, or 90 days — decided by the Japanese overseas establishment based on your application
⚠Information cannot be modified after submission — you must withdraw and reapply (withdrawal only possible in 'Temporarily received' status)
⚠After visa refusal, you must wait 6 months to reapply; reasons for refusal are not disclosed
⚠You must remain in your country of residence during the application process, as you may be called for an interview
⚠Beware of fraudulent websites imitating the official JAPAN eVISA site
⚠Account is terminated after 365 days of inactivity; 5 wrong passwords locks account for 30 minutes

Tips for a Smooth eVISA Application

✔Ensure your application is complete and accurate — incomplete applications will be returned or cancelled
✔Check required documents at Step 1 on the eVISA top page and visit the embassy website for specific requirements
✔You can apply up to 3 months before your travel date — apply early
✔A confirmed ticket is NOT required — a flight/ship booking or itinerary is sufficient
✔Families travelling together can use the 'Family Application' feature to share information and pay fees together
✔Photo requirements: taken within 6 months, plain untextured background, face clearly centered — do NOT use photos taken from ID documents
✔Do not operate your device while files are uploading — wait for the upload to complete
✔If asked for additional documents, respond immediately to avoid delays
✔Arrange internet access for your arrival in Japan (roaming or WiFi) to display the eVISA
✔Forgot password? Click 'Forgot your password?' on the login page. Need to change email? Go to Account menu.

Frequently Asked Questions (Based on Official FAQ)

What visa types can I apply for through eVISA?▼

Currently only single-entry short-term stay visas for tourism (up to 90 days). For visiting relatives/friends, business, study, work, or transit, you must apply for a paper visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate.

How long is an eVISA valid?▼

3 months from issuance (calculated from the day after issue). It becomes invalid after one entry. You must travel with the same passport used for the application. The validity cannot be extended.

How long can I stay in Japan?▼

The stay period is 15, 30, or 90 days, decided by the Japanese overseas establishment based on your travel itinerary and other factors. You cannot choose the period yourself.

Can I use eVISA to visit friends or relatives?▼

No. eVISA is strictly for tourism only. Visiting friends or relatives is a different visa category — apply for a paper visa at the embassy/consulate.

Can I reapply after visa refusal?▼

Yes, but you must wait 6 months. The reasons for refusal and examination details are not disclosed.

Can someone apply on my behalf?▼

Yes. A proxy application requires a letter of authorization. After visa issuance, the proxy must provide the applicant with a PDF or printed copy of the Visa Issuance Notice with QR code.

Can family members apply together?▼

Yes. Families travelling on the same itinerary can use the 'Family Application' feature. The principal applicant's information is partly copied to family members' forms, and visa fees are paid in one transaction. Family members must live in the same consular jurisdiction.

Is my eVISA valid if I renew my passport?▼

No. If you renew your passport after obtaining an eVISA, the eVISA becomes invalid. You must apply for a new visa with your new passport. Check your passport expiry before applying.

Can I correct information after submission?▼

No. Submitted applications cannot be changed or deleted, but can be withdrawn (only when status is 'Temporarily received'). Wait a few hours after withdrawal before reapplying.

What if I don't have a credit card?▼

eVISA only accepts online credit card payment. If you don't have a credit card, apply for a paper visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate and pay in cash.

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