Japan visa for Indians
By Ganesh ·
How Indians get a Japan tourist visa. The eVISA for residents of India, VFS submission, the schedule of stay, documents, fees and when to apply.
The short answer: Indians need a visa for Japan, even for a short holiday. For tourism, Indian nationals living in India can get a single-entry short-term visa as an eVISA: you apply through the official JAPAN eVISA system and submit your documents at a Japan Visa Application Centre (run by VFS Global) in India. The visa fee is modest by international standards, and VFS adds a service charge. Japan's Embassy in India (in.emb-japan.go.jp) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.go.jp) publish the current rules.
Japan's visa procedure for Indians has changed several times in recent years. Check the Embassy's page for the current process, document list and fee before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Step by step
- Plan the trip first. Japan asks for a day-by-day "schedule of stay". City, hotel and activities for each day.
- Prepare your documents (list below) as the Embassy or VFS checklist asks.
- Apply through the JAPAN eVISA system or via the visa application centre as instructed, and submit your documents at the Japan Visa Application Centre for your jurisdiction (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and others).
- Pay the visa fee and VFS charge.
- Get your decision by email. An eVISA is shown on your phone (or printed) at check-in and on arrival. Keep it with your passport.
Documents (typical)
- Passport, valid for your stay, with blank pages.
- Visa application form and a recent photo to the Embassy's size rules.
- Flight reservation (a booking is usually enough).
- Schedule of stay: day-by-day plan with hotels.
- Bank statements for recent months, and income tax returns.
- Proof of employment or business, or a student ID.
- If someone in Japan invites you: invitation letter and their documents, as the Embassy specifies.
Costs (approximate)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Japan visa fee, single entry | Low. Check the Embassy's current fee table |
| VFS service charge | A few hundred to about ₹1,000; check your centre |
| Travel insurance | Not usually required, strongly recommended: ₹1,000–₹3,000 for 10 days |
Multiple-entry visas
Frequent travellers and some categories (for example business travellers or people with a strong travel history) can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for several years. Check the Embassy's eligibility rules. They are specific.
When to apply
Searches for Japan visas from India peak in January–February (before cherry-blossom season) and in June (before the autumn trips). Apply around a month before you travel, after you've finalised the plan but before you pay for non-refundable tours. The Embassy publishes its standard processing time; allow extra in peak season.
Tips
- Make the schedule of stay realistic: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka in 10 days is fine; eight cities in a week looks odd.
- Use Sancharees to build it: add hotels and day plans, then print a day-by-day summary for the application.
- Don't book everything non-refundable until you have the visa.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for tourism, including short stays.
Is a Japan eVISA available for Indians?
Yes, for short-term tourism by Indian nationals living in India, under the procedure on the Embassy's site. Others (for example Indians living abroad) follow the rules of the Japanese mission where they live.
How long can I stay on a Japan tourist visa?
Typically up to 15 or 30 days per visit, as granted. Your visa shows the permitted stay.
Do I need a confirmed hotel for a Japan visa?
You need a schedule of stay with where you'll sleep. Refundable bookings are a good idea until the visa is issued.
Photo: Tokyo Shibuya Scramble Crossing 2018-10-09 by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: भारतीयों के लिए जापान वीज़ा: दस्तावेज़, eVISA और VFS