Japan Expands eVisa System for Tourists From Multiple Nations

Japan operates an electronic visa system for short-stay tourism, allowing digital verification instead of a physical sticker in the passport. Applicants receive an electronic Visa Issuance Notice, which must be displayed on a smart device with internet access for airline checks; screenshots, PDF copies, or printed versions are not accepted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists nine countries and regions whose residents can apply directly through the official website: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States. An agency-assisted route is available for residents of India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea, excluding Jeju. Indian residents became eligible for the eVisa via VFS Global application centres on 1 April 2024, submitting paperwork through these centres rather than online. Separate conditions apply for Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese applicants.

The eVisa typically supports single-entry tourism visits for up to 90 days, though the permitted duration varies and is not always the maximum. Chinese nationals residing in China may receive 15-day or 30-day eVisas, while Filipino and Vietnamese nationals applying through designated package tours get 15-day visas. The electronic tourism visa does not cover employment, business, studies, or other purposes requiring different visa types.

Japan revised its general visa fee schedule on 1 July 2026, setting the single-entry fee at approximately JPY 15,000 for applications accepted under this schedule. Fees can vary by nationality, location, and exemptions, with agency-assisted applications potentially incurring additional handling charges. For Indian nationals, the single-entry visa fee is INR 500, plus VFS service fees. The standard visa examination period is five working days for complete applications, though processing times can be longer. Applicants in India can submit up to three months before their intended travel date.