Japan Visa for Vanuatu Citizens
Vanuatu 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. Apply before you travel, at the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu.
- How long
- Up to 90 days per trip
- Visa fee
- VUV 12,295 (single entry)
- Processing
- About 10 working days
Last checked 25 September 2026 against the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu.
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
Apply in person at the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu. Visa applications: Monday to Friday, 9:00–13:00, 14:00–16:00. Processing is slower than usual (about 10 instead of 5 working days) because applications have risen sharply — apply well ahead.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry | VUV 12,295 | From 1 Jul 2026 |
| Multiple entry | VUV 24,590 | From 1 Jul 2026 |
Wait for the decision
- Usually about 10 working days once your application is accepted; longer if extra checks are needed.
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.
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.
Pacific Islanders who visited Japan in the last 3 years, or who have enough money to pay for the trip, can also get one for tourism and visits: up to 30 days per visit, valid up to 3 years.
The rules for Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu citizens need a visa for Japan?
Yes, for every visit — tourism included. Vanuatu 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?
VUV 12,295 for a single entry and VUV 24,590 for multiple entry (from 1 July 2026). No visa fee is charged if the visa is refused.
How long does processing take?
Usually about 10 working days once your application is accepted; longer if extra checks are needed.
Can I apply online?
Not yet — Japan's eVISA isn't available to residents of Vanuatu. Apply at 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
- The Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu — visa information
- The Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu — visa information
- 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 — multiple-entry visa outline for Vanuatu nationals (PDF)
Nearby countries
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