Japan Visa for Saudi Citizens
Saudi citizens need a visa for every trip to Japan — tourism included. Here's how long a visa lets you stay, and how to apply in five steps.
Visa required
No visa-free entry and no visa on arrival. Residents of Saudi Arabia can apply online for a tourist eVISA; other trips go through the embassy in Riyadh, by appointment.
- How long
- Up to 90 days per trip
- Visa fee
- SAR 375 (single entry)
- Processing
- From the 5th working day
Last checked 25 September 2026 against the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia.
How long can you stay?
| Visa | Stay per visit | Use it within |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry — tourism, visits, business | Up to 90 days — 15, 30 or 90 days depending on your plan | 3 months from issue |
| Multiple entry — for those who qualify | Depends on the type — up to 90 days | Valid 1–5 years |
| Work, study, family | More than 90 days — needs a Certificate of Eligibility first | — |
Choose your visa
Short visits use a Temporary Visitor (short-term stay) visa. Which documents you need depends on why you're going and who pays:
Tourism
A holiday you pay for yourself
See documents →
Visiting relatives or friends
Someone in Japan invites you — they or you pay
See documents →
Short-term business
Meetings, negotiations, market research, conferences, cultural or sport exchange
See documents →
Multiple entry
For frequent business travellers and others who qualify
Who qualifies →
Prepare the documents
This is the standard checklist of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your embassy may ask for more — check its website before you submit.
You prepare
- Valid passport
- Visa application form (1)
- Photo (1)MOFA’s form uses 45 × 35 mm; some embassies ask for another size — check yours.
- Flight (or ship) numbers and dates of arrival in and departure from Japan
- Proof you can pay for the tripOne of: an income certificate or tax return issued by a public agency; a bank statement or balance certificate.
- Itinerary in JapanDates, activities, contacts and where you stay (MOFA form).
You prepare
- Valid passport
- Visa application form (1)
- Photo (1)MOFA’s form uses 45 × 35 mm; some embassies ask for another size — check yours.
- Flight (or ship) numbers and dates of arrival in and departure from Japan
- Proof you can pay for the trip — if you pay yourselfOne of: an income certificate or tax return issued by a public agency; a bank statement or balance certificate.
- Proof of your relationshipRelatives: birth or marriage certificate, family register (koseki) — copies are fine. Friends: photos, emails, call history, letters.
Your host in Japan prepares
- Invitation letter
- A document showing the reason for the invitatione.g. a graduation or wedding invitation, a medical certificate.
- List of visa applicants — if more than one person applies
- Itinerary in JapanDates, activities, contacts and where you stay (MOFA form).
Whoever pays in Japan prepares
- Letter of guarantee
- The guarantor's proof of incomeOne of: the latest income/tax certificate from the city office, a tax payment certificate (Form 2) from the tax office, or a bank balance certificate. A withholding slip (gensen) is not accepted.
- Certificate of residence (juminhyo) listing the whole household
- If the guarantor is a foreign national: residence card (both sides) and passport copies
You prepare
- Valid passport
- Visa application form (1)
- Photo (1)MOFA’s form uses 45 × 35 mm; some embassies ask for another size — check yours.
- Flight (or ship) numbers and dates of arrival in and departure from Japan
- Proof of the business purposeA travel order or letter from your employer.
- Certificate of employment
The inviting company prepares
- Invitation letterOr a document explaining the activities: a contract between the companies, conference materials.
- List of visa applicants — if more than one person applies
- Itinerary in JapanDates, activities, contacts and where you stay (MOFA form).
The company paying prepares
- Letter of guarantee
- Certified copy of the company register, or a company overviewNot needed for a listed company that submits its quarterly report; an individual guarantor can give a certificate of employment instead.
- Documents from Japan: copies are accepted; they must have been issued within the last 3 months.
- Flight and hotel bookings or payments are not required when you apply — give the planned flights and dates in your itinerary.
- Submitted documents are not returned, except your passport.
- Visa application form: MOFA form (PDF).
Submit and pay
Tourism (single entry, up to 90 days): anyone living in Saudi Arabia can apply through JAPAN eVISA — at least 7 days before arrival — and pay online by card. Business, visits to relatives or friends and conferences: apply at the Consular Section of the Embassy in Riyadh, by appointment made by phone (011-488-1100) or email; applications 8:30–12:00, passport pick-up 13:15–15:15, Sunday to Thursday. Residents of other nationalities also submit copies of their Iqama and Saudi re-entry permit.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry | SAR 375 | Cash at the embassy (eVISA online: ¥15,000), from 1 Jul 2026 |
| Multiple entry | SAR 750 | Cash at the embassy, from 1 Jul 2026 |
At the embassy the fee is paid in cash only — no cheques or credit cards.
Wait for the decision
- Results — issue or return of your passport — come from the 5th working day after you apply; it can take longer depending on the review. Wrong information or missing documents end the review.
- JAPAN eVISA hotline: (+966) 800 850 0697 (24 hours, English only).
Receive your visa
Visa sticker in your passport
A single-entry visa must be used within 3 months of issue and is used up once you enter Japan.
eVISA — single-entry tourism
If your visa is issued through JAPAN eVISA, you get a “visa issuance notice” instead of a sticker.
eVISA holders: show it live on your phone
A visa doesn't guarantee entry — the immigration officer at the airport makes the final decision.
If your visa is refused
- No visa fee is charged when a visa isn't issued; agency or visa-centre fees are not refunded.
- The embassy does not tell you why — Japan does not give reasons for visa refusals.
- You can't reapply for the same purpose within 6 months. The exception: your circumstances have changed significantly and the trip is needed for humanitarian reasons — ask the embassy first.
Beware of visa scams
Next time: a multiple-entry visa
A multiple-entry visa lets you visit Japan any number of times while it's valid (1, 3 or 5 years). It is issued mainly to business travellers and to cultural or intellectual figures who meet the criteria.
The rules for Saudi nationals: MOFA outline (PDF).
Staying longer than 90 days
Work, study and family stays need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) first. Your employer, school or family in Japan applies for it; you then take it to the embassy for the visa.
Work visas
Engineer / Humanities, Highly Skilled Professional and more
See details →
Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 & 2)
Skills test plus a Japanese-language test
See details →
Student
Language schools, vocational schools and universities
See details →
Spouse / Child of Japanese National
Marriage to a Japanese national
See details →
Frequently asked questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Japan?
Yes, for every visit — tourism included. Saudi Arabia is not on Japan's visa-exemption list, and Japan has no visa on arrival.
How long can I stay in Japan on a tourist visa?
Up to 90 days per visit on a single-entry visa — the officer grants 15, 30 or 90 days depending on your plan. Use the visa within 3 months of issue.
How much does a Japan visa cost?
SAR 375 for a single entry and SAR 750 for multiple entry, in cash at the embassy (from 1 July 2026); a tourist eVISA paid online costs ¥15,000.
How long does processing take?
Results come from the 5th working day after you apply. For an eVISA, apply at least 7 days before you arrive.
Can I apply online?
Yes, for single-entry tourism: residents of Saudi Arabia can apply through the JAPAN eVISA website. Other purposes go to the embassy or consulate.
Can I reapply if my visa is refused?
Not for the same purpose within 6 months, unless your circumstances have changed significantly and the trip is needed for humanitarian reasons. The embassy won't tell you the reason for a refusal.
Sources
- Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia — Visa application (eVISA, appointments, processing)
- Embassy of Japan in Riyadh — visa fees from 1 Jul 2026 (PDF)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa fees (from 1 Jul 2026)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa processing time
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Validity of a visa
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Visa FAQ (refusals, re-applications)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — single-entry short-term stay checklist (April 2025, PDF)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — JAPAN eVISA (eligible residences, 15 May 2026)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — multiple-entry visa outline for Saudi nationals (PDF)
Nearby countries
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