Japan Short-Term Stay Visa 2026 — Tourism, Business & Family Visits

Overview

Short-Term Stay ("temporary visitor") covers tourism, business trips, and family or friend visits of up to 90 days, and is Japan's most used entry category. It never involves a residence status or COE (Certificate of Eligibility) application — the fundamental difference from every long-term visa, and the reason it is the most accessible way to visit Japan.

Step 1: check whether you need a visa at all

Japan's complete visa-exemption list — passport holders of ~74 countries and regions enter visa-free, typically for 15, 30, or 90 days. If your country is on the list, no visa application is needed.
Requirements by country — if your nationality requires a visa, check the document checklist, fees, and process for your country.
Some nationalities can apply online via the Japan eVISA instead of visiting an embassy.

The four application categories

When a visa is required, Short-Term Stay applications fall into four categories by purpose of visit:

1. Tourism

Sightseeing trips, either individually or as part of a package tour through a designated travel agency. The core documents are your itinerary, accommodation booking, and proof of funds. Application forms for each embassy are collected in our document download center.

2. Business and cultural exchange

Visits for business liaison, meetings, negotiations, contract signing, after-sales service, publicity, or market research — as well as cultural, municipal (sister-city), and sports exchange:

Single-entry short-term business visa
Multiple-entry short-term business visa — for frequent business travelers, scholars, and cultural figures
Some embassies operate simplified or recommendation-based channels for specific companies (for example, members of local Japanese chambers of commerce); check your local embassy's announcements

3. Visiting relatives and friends

Visiting relatives or friends who live in Japan. "Relatives" in principle means blood relatives or in-laws within three degrees of kinship; visiting friends requires more substantial proof of the relationship (photos, correspondence records):

Single-entry visa for visiting relatives or friends
Spouses or children of foreign nationals residing long-term in Japan may apply for a multiple-entry visa

4. Foreign spouses of Japanese nationals

A foreign spouse (of any nationality) married to a Japanese national living long-term outside Japan can apply for a single- or multiple-entry short-term visa for family visits to Japan.

Visa fees (new rates from July 1, 2026)

Applications received on or after July 1, 2026 are charged at the new worldwide rates: single-entry 15,000 JPY, multiple-entry 30,000 JPY, transit 3,500 JPY — the first revision since 1978. The one exception: Indian citizens pay a reduced treaty rate (₹500 in India for both single and multiple entry). Some countries also charge a separate agency or visa application center (VFS) service fee. See the full Japan visa fee guide.

Important notes

The actual authorized stay (15, 30, or up to 90 days) is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry, not by the visa sticker alone. Carry proof of funds and a clear itinerary. Short-Term Stay cannot be converted to a long-term residence status from within Japan — if you plan a longer stay, start from the long-term visa categories instead.

Who Is This For

✓Tourists visiting Japan for sightseeing
✓Foreign nationals visiting family or friends in Japan
✓Business travelers attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs
✓Participants in short-term cultural or academic events
✓Medical tourists receiving treatment in Japan

Validity Periods

15 days30 days90 days

Single Residence Period: Up to 90 days

Requirements

•Valid passport (must remain valid beyond intended stay)
•No prior refusal or deportation record from Japan
•Sufficient financial means to cover the stay
•Clear travel itinerary with return or onward ticket
•Intent to depart before the authorized stay expires
•No engagement in paid employment in Japan
•Some nationalities are visa-exempt (no application needed)

Costs & Fees

Visa fee (single entry)15,000 JPY

Visa fee (multiple entry)30,000 JPY

Transit visa3,500 JPY

Indian citizens (bilateral agreement)₹500 single or multiple (applying in India)

Agency / visa center service fee (where applicable)varies by country and provider

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Visa fees

Single-entry 15,000 JPY, multiple-entry 30,000 JPY, transit 3,500 JPY (new rates from July 1, 2026; India exempt under a bilateral agreement).

View the visa fee guide →

Required Documents

Valid passport (original)
Completed visa application form (Japanese Embassy designated form)
Recent passport-size photo (white background, 4cm × 3cm)
Round-trip flight reservation or itinerary
Hotel or accommodation reservation confirmation
Detailed travel itinerary
Employment certificate or business registration (for self-employed)
Bank statements or deposit certificate for the past 3 months
Invitation letter (if invited by a Japanese resident or company)

Where to Apply

Japanese embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence; in some countries applications must be submitted through designated travel agencies or a visa application center (VFS)

Application Process

1Confirm whether your nationality requires a visa (some countries are visa-exempt)
2Visit the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country, or apply through an authorized travel agency
3Prepare and submit all required documents
4Wait for processing (typically 3–5 business days)
5Collect the visa sticker upon approval
6Enter Japan and complete immigration inspection at the port of entry

Work Restrictions

Any paid activities are strictly prohibited. Part-time work, side jobs, and commercial business operations are not permitted. Violators will be deported and may be banned from re-entry.

Family & Dependents

Short-term visas have no family accompaniment system. Family members must each independently apply for a short-term visa.

Renewal & Extension

Short-term visas are in principle non-extendable. In special circumstances (e.g., illness, natural disaster), an extension of the period of stay may be applied for at the Immigration Bureau before expiry, but the approval standards are very strict.

Important Notices

⚠Return tickets and hotel bookings are mandatory materials; their absence may result in rejection
⚠Bank statements preferably covering the past 3-6 months; insufficient balance is a common reason for rejection
⚠Information on employment certificates must be consistent with other materials; inconsistencies will result in rejection
⚠Applicants with a history of overstaying have a very high rejection rate
⚠Do not submit false materials; if discovered, a permanent ban will be imposed

Practical Tips

→First-time applicants are advised to apply for a single-entry visa first; apply for multiple-entry after accumulating a good entry/exit record
→Requirements vary slightly by Japanese consulate location; always check the specific requirements of the jurisdiction
→During peak seasons (cherry blossom season, autumn foliage season), submit applications 1 month in advance
→Multiple-entry visas require first entry into Okinawa or Tohokus three prefectures; plan for a brief stay

FAQ

Which countries are visa-exempt for Japan?▾

Approximately 74 countries and regions enjoy visa-free entry to Japan, typically for 15 or 90 days. These include Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and EU member states. Mainland Chinese citizens currently require a visa, although group visa-free arrangements apply in certain cases.

How much does a Japan short-term visa cost?▾

Applications received on or after July 1, 2026 are charged at the new worldwide rates — 15,000 JPY for single entry, 30,000 JPY for multiple entry, and 3,500 JPY for transit. The only exception is Indian citizens, who pay a reduced treaty rate (₹500 in India for both single and multiple entry). Some countries charge an additional agency or visa-center service fee.

Can I work in Japan on a Short-Term Stay visa?▾

No. The Short-Term Stay visa strictly prohibits any form of paid employment, including remote work for overseas employers. Violations may result in deportation and a ban on re-entry. Remote workers should apply for the Digital Nomad visa instead.

Can I extend my stay or renew the visa?▾

Generally no. Extensions are generally not permitted. In exceptional circumstances such as illness or natural disasters, a single extension may be applied for at the Immigration Services Agency, but approval is not guaranteed. The Short-Term Stay visa should not be used as a long-term residence strategy.

What is the difference between a single-entry and multiple-entry visa?▾

A single-entry visa allows one entry only and becomes invalid once you depart. A multiple-entry visa permits multiple entries within its validity period (typically 3–5 years) and is usually issued to applicants with a strong track record of visiting Japan.

Are the tourism and business visas the same category?▾

Yes. Under Japan's immigration framework, both tourism and short-term business activities (attending meetings, exhibitions, etc. — without actual employment in Japan) fall under the same "Short-Term Stay" visa category.