Japan · Application requirements

Japan Visa Requirements 2026

Nationals of countries without a visa-exemption arrangement with Japan, or nationals from visa-waiver countries staying longer than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism (work, study, family, long-term residence). Japan operates a visa-waiver programme covering 70+ countries/regions for short-term stays — most get 90 days, but Indonesia and Thailand get 15, Brunei and Qatar get 30, and several countries (Indonesia, Brazil, UAE, Serbia, etc.) need an ICAO ePassport. For most long-term categories (work, student, spouse, dependent), a Certificate of Eligibility (COE / 在留資格認定証明書) issued in Japan by your sponsor or host is required before applying for the visa abroad.

Issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

Single-entry visa: ¥15,000 (~US$100)
Multiple-entry visa: ¥30,000 (~US$200)
Transit visa: ¥3,500
Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Free
eVisa (short-term): Same as single-entry

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

Certificate of Eligibility (COE): 1–3 months
COE — family / spouse (recent average): ~100+ days
Visa decision at consulate (after COE): 5–7 working days
COE validity for entry: 3 months

details

Issuing authority

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Who needs a Japan Visa?

Where to apply

Visa application: at the Japanese embassy, consulate-general, or accredited visa application centre (e.g. JVAC in many countries, VFS in select markets) with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Certificate of Eligibility (COE): filed in Japan by your sponsor (employer, school, or Japanese spouse) at the local Regional Immigration Services Bureau of the Immigration Services Agency (ISA / 出入国在留管理庁). The COE is sent to you abroad before you apply for the visa.

Fees

Single-entry visa: ¥15,000 (~US$100)
Multiple-entry visa: ¥30,000 (~US$200)
Transit visa: ¥3,500
Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Free
eVisa (short-term): Same as single-entry

Visa fees were revised upward on 1 April 2026 — the first increase since 1978. Single-entry visas now cost approximately ¥15,000 (about US$100), up from ¥3,000. Multiple-entry visas are ¥30,000 (about US$200), up from ¥6,000. Transit visas cost about ¥3,500. The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) itself is free to obtain in Japan — only the consular visa fee applies. Fees are payable in local currency at the Japanese embassy or consulate and may vary slightly by jurisdiction.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Valid passport (with at least one blank visa page and 6+ months validity)
Visa application form (downloadable from MOFA)
One recent 35×45 mm biometric photo on light background
Original Certificate of Eligibility (COE) plus a copy — required for work, student, spouse, dependent categories
Flight itinerary or travel reservation
Proof of financial means (bank statements, employer letter, scholarship letter, or sponsor's tax documents)
Supporting documents per category — employment contract (work), Letter of Acceptance from school (student), family register koseki tōhon and marriage certificate (spouse)
For digital nomad visa: proof of annual income of ¥10 million+ and private health insurance covering Japan

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

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How long does it take?

Certificate of Eligibility (COE): 1–3 months
COE — family / spouse (recent average): ~100+ days
Visa decision at consulate (after COE): 5–7 working days
COE validity for entry: 3 months

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the slow step — typically 1 to 3 months at the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan, with some categories (family reunification, spouse) currently averaging 100+ days due to post-pandemic application surges. Once the COE reaches you abroad, the visa itself is fast: usually 5 to 7 working days at the Japanese embassy or consulate. The COE is valid for 3 months from issuance — you must enter Japan within that window.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a japan visa.

How much does a Japanese visa cost? +

As of 1 April 2026, single-entry visas cost approximately ¥15,000 (~US$100) and multiple-entry visas cost ¥30,000 (~US$200) — the first fee increase since 1978. Transit visas are about ¥3,500. The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) itself is free; only the consular visa fee applies on top. Applications submitted before 31 March 2026 locked in the previous ¥3,000 / ¥6,000 rates.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? +

The Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) is a document issued by Japan's Immigration Services Agency confirming you meet the requirements for a specific status of residence (work, student, spouse, etc.) before you arrive. Your Japanese sponsor — an employer, school, or Japanese family member — files for it at the Regional Immigration Bureau on your behalf. Once issued, the original COE is mailed to you abroad and submitted with your visa application at the Japanese embassy. The COE is the slow step; the visa itself is then issued in about a week.

How long does it take to get a Japanese work visa? +

Plan 2 to 4 months end to end. The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for the most common work category — Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services — typically takes 1 to 3 months at the Regional Immigration Bureau. Once the COE arrives, the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate abroad takes another 5 to 7 working days. The COE is valid for 3 months — you must enter Japan within that window.

Which countries can travel to Japan visa-free? +

Japan has visa-waiver arrangements with about 70+ countries and regions. Most — including the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan — receive 90 days visa-free for tourism or short business. Indonesia and Thailand get 15 days, Brunei and Qatar get 30 days. Several countries (Indonesia, Brazil, UAE, Serbia, Montenegro, Peru, Paraguay, Panama) require an ICAO-compliant ePassport, and Indonesian travellers must pre-register their passport with a Japanese diplomatic mission. The visa waiver only covers Temporary Visitor status — no paid work or long-term study.

What are the requirements for a Japanese student visa? +

You need a Letter of Acceptance from a Japanese school (university, vocational school, or accredited language school), and you must show financial means — typically ¥1.5–2.5 million for a one-year programme, evidenced by bank statements, sponsor income certificates, and source-of-funds documents. Your school in Japan files the COE on your behalf. From October 2026, language-school applicants must additionally show JLPT N5-level (or equivalent) Japanese and submit a written Statement of Reason for Study. After the COE is issued (typically 1–3 months), the visa itself takes about a week at the embassy.

What is the Spouse of Japanese National visa? +

A residence status for foreign nationals legally married to a Japanese citizen (and for biological or adopted children of Japanese nationals). Unlike most work visas, it allows unrestricted employment in any occupation. Your Japanese spouse files the COE in Japan, providing the family register (戸籍謄本), marriage certificate, evidence of genuine cohabitation (photos, communication records, joint financials), and proof of household income (officers commonly expect ¥3–4 million+). In 2026, in-person spouse interviews at the immigration bureau are now nearly mandatory for first-time applications. COE typically takes 1–2 months; visa at the consulate adds 1–2 weeks.

Does Japan have a digital nomad visa? +

Yes — Japan launched the Digital Nomad visa on 1 April 2024 under the Designated Activities status of residence. It allows remote workers to stay up to 6 months while working for a foreign employer or as a foreign self-employed contractor. Requirements: annual income of at least ¥10 million (about US$67,000–70,000), passport from one of ~50 eligible visa-waiver countries, and private health insurance covering death, injury, and illness in Japan (national health insurance is not available). You may bring your spouse and children. The visa is not renewable — you must leave for 6 months before reapplying.

Can I work in Japan with a tourist visa or visa-waiver entry? +

No. Visa-waiver entry and tourist visas grant Temporary Visitor status, which strictly prohibits paid work, long-term study, and any income-generating activity in Japan. Working on a tourist stamp risks deportation and a multi-year re-entry ban. If your employer wants to hire you, they must sponsor a Certificate of Eligibility for the appropriate work status (most commonly Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) before you start work.

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