Japan is one of the most amazing tourist destinations offering a unique experience that is not found in any other region. Japanese culture provides a blend of Western and Eastern traditions and modernity seen on every street of Japan. Japan has diverse tourist destinations ranging from scenic mountains to stunning and breathtaking buildings. However, you must have a Visa in order to visit Japan.

For the ease of tourists, the Japanese government has launched the service of an electronic visa. This process is far more efficient than the old traditional way of obtaining a Japan visa. A list of countries is given, which clearly mentions the citizens who can apply for it. Nationals of the mentioned countries must apply for electronic Visas for ease. It permits about 90 days of stay in japan with a single entry. Online visa service is for countries with a larger number of nationalities like the Canada, Taiwan, United States of America.

Note: All other nationalities not mentioned in the list must visit their nearest embassy or consulate to obtain a visa.

When did Japan Launch their eVisa service?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Japanese government to postpone plans to implement the new eVisa policy in April 2020. However, since Japan eased entry rules for tourist travel, the eVisa was officially introduced on August 18, 2022.

What does the Japanese eVisa allow for?

The eVisa service offered by the Japanese government permits a single entry visa for a period of about 90 days which roughly makes three months. During your visit through eVisa, you can visit the country as a tourist, for business activities, visit relatives, and for various cultural exchanges. This Visa, however, cannot be used for remunerative activities.

Required Documents for Visa Application:

A number of other documents are required for the issuance of eVisa. The documents, however, differ depending on the purpose of your visit.

Following are the documents required for eVisa:

Copy of your passport:

candidates from eligible nationalities are required to submit a copy of their passport. Please note that the passport is not expired or does not have a nearby expiry.

Applicants Photo:

The application requires your facial picture, which must be clear for recognition. It should be a Passport styled photograph with the mentioned dimensions on the application. Your complete face should be visible and horizontally centered in the photo. It can't have any texture. It must be taken in recent six months.

ERFS certificate:

If you are visiting for Business purposes, traveling, or educational exchange, you must obtain this certificate and attach the file to your online application form.

Invitation letter:

Those visiting their family or friends need to show evidence of their kinship and stay addressed. The evidence could be a birth certificate, marriage certificate, a copy of a certified family register, etc.

ERFS for Registering for An eVisa:

Canadian, American, and Taiwanese citizens must first have an inviting organization in Japan in order to submit an online visa application for tourism or business. A travel operator or a Japanese corporation could invite them to Japan for commercial purposes.

The inviting group will thereafter provide a registration certificate for ERFS. After receiving this certificate, the visitor can start the Japan eVisa registration process. Those applying for visas to visit relatives or friends do not need an ERFS certificate. However, they are required to show their Invitation letter from family or relatives as proof of their kinship.

Application Submission Procedure:

The visa issuing portal is quite user-friendly for people who want to obtain their visas through the ease of staying at home. The applicant has to go through the following steps to get their hands on Visa:

• The applicant is first required to log on to their application portal. The applicant will be required to fill out the details mentioned on their passport. It is advised to write and fill out the form very carefully as any mistakes can lead to problems in issuing Visa. You will also be asked to attach the required documents depending on the purpose of your stay.
• You will be asked to give an email; please note that the email mentioned is in use and accessible.
• The second step required the applicant to pay the required fee. For ease, this portal is connected with an online payment system so that the applicant does not have to go through a difficult and lengthy procedure.
• After submission, the Visa will be sent to your mentioned email. Please download the copy and print it out. You will be required to show this copy to the border authorities on your visit.

Note: PDF forms and screenshots are not accepted while traveling. The original document form must be printed on behalf of the candidate to display on the border.

Application submitted on behalf of proxy:

Suppose a proxy submits the application on behalf of the applicant rather than the applicant themselves. In that case, a letter of authorization (optional format) indicating that the proxy is responsible for handling the visa application is required. Please be aware that applying using a proxy is only permissible if the applicant experiences difficulty submitting an e-VISA on their own, and the proxy can help the applicant present the "visa issuance notification" while checking in at the airport.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)