Japan eVisa FAQ 2026 — 76 Official Questions Answered

JAPAN eVISA is a system that provides a way to apply for a visa online and issue an electronic visa (eVISA) required for entry to Japan.

Currently, you can apply only for a single-entry short-term stay (up to 90 days) visa for the purpose of tourism. You must apply for a visa on paper at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for other purposes such as visiting relatives/friends, business, study, work and transit, etc. Note: Foreign nationals who are exempt from short-term stay visa don't need to apply for an eVISA.

An electronic visa (eVISA) is a visa issued digitally through the JAPAN eVISA system. Unlike traditional visas, no physical sticker is affixed to your passport. You display the Visa Issuance Notice on your device at immigration.

JAPAN eVISA is available to all foreign nationals/citizens residing in certain countries, except those exempt from a short-term visa. Only ordinary passport holders are eligible. Please refer to the MOFA website for the latest list of eligible countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/visaonline.html

An eVISA is valid for three months after issuance (the expiry date is calculated from the day after the date of issue). It is valid for entering Japan on one single occasion and becomes invalid once used. You must travel to Japan with the same passport you submitted for your application.

No. The validity of the eVISA cannot be extended.

Visa fee for an eVISA (single-entry visa) is equivalent to 15,000 yen — the rate in effect since 1 July 2026, when Japan raised visa fees fivefold worldwide (single 3,000→15,000 yen, multiple 6,000→30,000 yen; applications received by 30 June 2026 were charged the old rates). Nationals of some countries/regions are eligible for exemption or reduction under reciprocal arrangements — Indian nationals in particular pay a reduced flat rate under the Japan–India bilateral agreement and are not affected by this increase. For details, check the website of the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

It normally takes 5 working days after receipt of a complete application. However, it may take longer during periods of high demand or if further clarification is needed (interview, document verification, additional information). In some cases, it may take more than a month. The examination process starts when the Japanese overseas establishment confirms your application is complete, not on the day you submit it. Applications can be submitted 24/7, but are accepted by the establishment during office hours only.

Your application is sent to the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your place of residence. They examine each application to verify all information and documents are accurate and complete. Additional documents may be requested. Incomplete applications may be returned/cancelled. During examination, you may be requested to visit for an interview.

The requirements depend on your nationality, country of residence, and purpose of visit. Check the eVISA website Step 1 tool and the website of the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your area.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your planned travel date.

No. A decision to issue a visa cannot be made until the required examination is completed. Applications are processed fairly in the order they are received. Please submit your application well in advance.

Ensure your application has all accurate information and required documents. Before submitting: - Check required documents at Step 1 on the eVISA top page - Visit the website of your local Japanese overseas establishment for specific requirements - Check your eligibility (purpose, residence, period of stay) - If asked for additional information, respond immediately to avoid delays

No. The entire eVISA process can be completed online. However, you may be requested to visit for an interview or to submit additional documents during examination.

Yes. You can travel to Japan from any country, as long as you have a valid eVISA. Make sure to enter Japan within 3 months after issuance.

The period of stay for an eVISA is either 15 days, 30 days or 90 days. The Japanese overseas establishment decides which period to grant based on your travel itinerary and other factors in your application.

You can check the status on your JAPAN eVISA account. When the status changes to 'Issued', your eVISA has been issued. You will also receive a notification email.

No. Internet connection is required to use JAPAN eVISA.

No. You don't have to obtain an eVISA if you wish to stay for the period allowed under visa exemption arrangements. Check the visa-exempt countries list: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html

No. JAPAN eVISA is available only for short-term stay for the purpose of tourism. Visiting acquaintances is a different purpose. Please apply for a paper visa at the Japanese overseas establishment.

No. If your purpose is visiting relatives, you cannot use JAPAN eVISA. Please apply for a paper visa at the Japanese overseas establishment.

No. You must remain in the country of residence during your eVISA application process, because you may be requested to visit the Japanese overseas establishment where you submitted your application.

No. At the moment, you cannot apply for a multiple-entry visa online.

No. JAPAN eVISA is available for a single-entry short-term stay visa for the purpose of tourism only.

No. We suggest you apply for a visa on paper at the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Yes, in principle. If you have any inquiries, please contact the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

You must create an account. Go to the login page and click 'Register an email address'. You need a valid email address. Through your account, you can: - Apply for an eVISA online - Check application status - Upload additional documents - Withdraw, change or delete applications (depending on status) - Change account information

1. Prepare required documents 2. Check the 'Flow of online visa application' on the top page (Step 1 helps find required documents) 3. Log in and enter information, upload documents 4. Review and click 'Submit' 5. Wait for notification email or check status 6. Once approved, receive visa fee notification 7. Pay online to obtain your visa

Go to the eVISA top page and follow Step 1 to check required documents for your specific situation. Also visit the website of the Japanese overseas establishment — they may require specific additional documents. Incomplete information or documents may result in cancellation or delays.

- Taken within the last 6 months - Plain, untextured background - Face clearly centered and horizontally aligned - File format: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC - File size: up to 2MB recommended Do NOT use photos taken from passports, driver's licenses, or group photos. Non-compliant photos may require reapplication.

No. You don't have to buy a confirmed ticket before applying. You can upload a flight/ship itinerary from a booking.

Yes. After logging in, add family members by clicking 'New registration'. Select 'No' as proxy and enter your name. Your bank statement can generally serve as a supporting document for family. You'll also need to prove kinship (marriage/birth certificate).

No. However, if your child travels to Japan without a person with parental authority, you should attach a parental consent form.

Yes. A proxy application requires a letter of authorization. Once the visa is issued, the proxy must give you a PDF or printed copy of the Visa Issuance Notice with QR code.

Yes, if travelling together on the same itinerary (arrival/departure dates must be the same). After completing your application as principal applicant, click 'Save and add family members'.

1. Some of the principal applicant's information is automatically copied to family members' forms (arrival/departure dates, airline, contact details, accommodation) 2. The principal applicant receives all notification emails for family members 3. Visa fees for all family members are paid in one transaction

Choose a principal applicant who will make applications for all family members (must have a JAPAN eVISA account). Collect application information and passport details for all members. Register all applications and submit them together at once.

When the principal applicant completes their application, a 'Save and add family members' button appears. Click it to add family members one by one. After the last member, click 'Save and finish your entries'. Then in the 'Visa application list', select the principal applicant's application and click 'Submit' to submit all family applications.

Yes. You must register all family members at the same time. Once completed or interrupted, other members cannot be added later. If you need to add members, you must start over from the first person.

Family members include relatives living in the same region under the jurisdiction of the Japanese overseas establishment. They must travel together to Japan on the same itinerary.

No. Family members who live outside your consular jurisdiction area cannot apply together as a family. They must create their own account and apply individually.

Check the 'status' in 'Application information' on the 'Visa application list' page. Status notifications are also sent by email. Possible statuses: - Application not made: Not yet submitted - Application in progress: Being sent to the establishment - Temporarily received: Received but not yet processed - Under examination: Being processed - Fee payment: Visa ready, payment due - Issued: eVISA issued - Additional data materials registered: Documents uploaded - Refused: Application refused - Returned: Application returned - Cancelled: Application cancelled - Withdrawal request made: Withdrawal requested - Withdrawn: Application withdrawn - Expired: eVISA expired (after entry or expiration date)

Processing time varies by individual case. Check your application status by logging into your account. You will receive notification emails when the status changes.

Pay online by credit card. Online payment can only be made after receiving the 'Notification of visa fee' email. Log into your account, find the payment message on the home screen, click 'Here' to go to the payment page, and register your credit card. Note: eVISA is not issued immediately after entering card information. Wait for the establishment to confirm and process the payment.

No. eVISA only accepts online payment. You cannot pay in cash at the Japanese overseas establishment.

Please refer to the payment service user guide and FAQ: - User guide: https://kokopass.jp/mofa/pdf/user_guide_e.pdf - FAQ: https://kokopass.jp/mofa/#faq_english

No. In principle, the applicant and credit card holder must be the same person. Exception: Payments can be made by the applicant's legal representative (parent, guardian) when there are enough reasons (e.g., minor applicant). The card holder must complete the entire payment procedure. If you don't have a credit card, apply for a paper visa at the embassy/consulate.

No. You can make payment only after receiving an email requesting the payment.

No. Once your eVISA is issued, you cannot get a refund for any reason.

No. Neither the details of the examination process nor the reasons for the decision can be given. If your application was rejected, you must wait 6 months to reapply.

The Visa Issuance Notice with QR code is issued to each person. Make sure to scan your own QR code. If incorrect information is entered more than 10 times, the account will be blocked for 10 minutes.

Yes. You can stay for the period specified in the Landing Permission attached to your passport at immigration upon arrival. Once you go through immigration, the eVISA becomes invalid and cannot be used again. The expiration notification email is expected.

You need to withdraw your application and submit a new one with the new passport. If your new passport is issued during the process, contact the Japanese overseas establishment.

No. If you renewed your passport after obtaining an eVISA, you must apply for a new visa with your new passport. Check your passport expiry date before applying.

Yes, as long as you have a valid passport on the day of arrival. However, airlines have their own rules and you may be denied boarding. Check with your airline in advance.

No. The date of entry/departure can differ from what you entered. An eVISA is valid for 3 months after issuance. Just enter Japan while the visa is valid.

Yes, you can submit multiple applications (e.g., for family or friends). However, you cannot apply for more than one visa for the same purpose while your visa is still valid.

Yes. Personal information is properly managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese overseas establishments in accordance with the 'Act on the Protection of Personal Information'.

Fill out the inquiry form on the eVISA website (English/Japanese). For general visa inquiries, email japan-visa@bridge-ms.com or call the Japan Visa Information Hotline. If you are in Japan, you may visit the Foreign Resident Support Center (FRESC).

Do not perform any action while uploading files. Uploading may take time depending on your internet speed. Don't turn off your device during upload.

Click 'Change application' in the Visa Application list, then click 'Additional data materials' at the top. Only upload additional documents when asked by the Japanese overseas establishment. If you notice a missing document after submission, contact the establishment for instructions.

The documents should be combined into a single PDF document to upload.

Check the conditions: - File format: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC - File size: up to 2MB recommended Make sure the imported photo fits in the red rectangle outer frame. The YouTube tutorial may help: https://youtu.be/PZPxygNAJ-c

Check conditions: - File Format: PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC - File size: up to 2MB recommended - Resolution: 640×480 or higher - Max pages: 1 page per field Common errors: - MRZ (Machine Readable Zone, 2 lines at bottom) not included - MRZ appears smudged, hazy, wrinkled or bulging - MRZ not correctly oriented (sideways/upside-down) - No front-facing portrait in image

Requirements: - File format: PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC - File size: up to 2MB recommended - Maximum pages: 50 pages

Please allow a few hours for your withdrawal request to be reflected in the system.

Log in, select the application in 'Visa application list', and click 'Withdraw the application'. Note: If you've uploaded additional materials or your status shows 'Under examination' or 'Fee payment', you cannot withdraw online. Contact the Japanese overseas establishment to request withdrawal.

Preview functionality may vary by device and browser. This doesn't affect the actual upload. You can verify uploads by checking the application details.

No. Once submitted, an application cannot be changed or deleted, but it can be withdrawn. Select the application and click 'Withdraw the application'. Allow a few hours for withdrawal to process. Withdrawal is only available when status shows 'Temporarily received'.

For security, you are automatically logged out after 30 minutes of inactivity (session timeout). Data entered before timeout is not maintained. Log in again to start a new session.

Click 'Forgot your password?' on the login page to reset it.

Yes. Click 'Change the account' in 'Account menu' to edit your email address.

Your account will be locked if you enter your password incorrectly more than 5 times. It will automatically unlock after 30 minutes. Your account will be terminated if it remains inactive for 365 days.

Yes. You can delete your account from the 'Account menu'.

No. You cannot create multiple accounts with one email address.

This may be due to your email service settings. If you've set up domain filtering, make sure to allow emails from the domain '@evisa.mofa.go.jp'.