Japan Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

To enter Japan, a passport valid for the duration of intended stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

Whether or not they hold a visa, visitors who do not possess visible means of support for their stay, onward or return tickets, or other documents for their next destination, may be refused entry.

All foreign nationals entering Japan will be photographed and have their fingerprints taken; foreign nationals may also be subject to a short interview regarding their purpose of stay. Non-compliance will result in refusal of entry.

Visas

Visas for Japan are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

• Nationals of Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK for up to six months.

• Nationals of Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden for up to three months.

• Nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the USA for up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Japan.

Types and Cost

Transit visa: £4; single-entry temporary visitor visa: £16; multiple-entry temporary visitor visa: £32. These are the fees for most visitors requiring a visa, but costs differ for certain nationalities; check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Validity

Temporary visitor visas are usually valid for 15, 30 or 90 days.

Transit

Passengers in transit and not leaving the airport do not require a visa. If you wish to leave the airport during transit and are not a visa-exempt national, you must obtain a transit visa.

Application to

In person at the consulate (or consular section at embassy) or via a registered visa agent (in which case you don't need to visit the embassy in person).

Working days

Approximately five working days.

Extension of stay

If you wish to extend your stay, you must apply to a regional immigration office in Japan.

Entry with children

Documentary evidence of parental responsibility or guardianship may be required on entry if travelling as a single parent or non-relative with children.

Entry with pets

Animal quarantine can take several months. You can find detailed information from the Animal Quarantine Service (www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/im_index.html).

Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.

Embassies and tourist offices

Embassy of Japan in the USA

Telephone: +1 202 238 6700 or 6800 (visa section).
Website: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html
Address: NW, 2520 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, 20008,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1730 (0930-1230 and 1330-1700 for the visa section).

Embassy of Japan in the UK

Telephone: +44 20 7465 6500 or 6565 (visa section).
Website: http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp
Address: , 101-104 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7JT,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0930-1630 (for the visa section).

British Embassy in Japan

Telephone: +81 03 5211 1100.
Website: http://www.gov.uk/government/world/japan
Address: Chiyoda-ku, 1 Ichiban-cho, Tokyo, 102-8381,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0930-1630.