Travelers heading to Japan will soon no longer need to queue at a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa for Japan. The Japanese government is preparing to launch a new Japan eVisa that can be easily obtained online.
The online visa for Japan is part of a wider government plan to boost tourism in Japan. The target is to reach 60 million by 2030. The new tourist visa will make traveling to Japan much more accessible for millions of people around the world.
Online Visa System
The Japan eVisa system is expected to allow eligible travelers to obtain a single-entry visa for a stay of up to 90 days in the country.
An approved online visa for Japan is expected to permit visitors to travel to the country for purposes of:
- Tourism
- Business
- Visiting relatives
Eligible applicants will be able to complete the online application without needing to visit an embassy or consulate. The whole process will take just a matter of minutes.
Who is eligible for the Japan eVisa?
Due to coronavirus travel restrictions, Canadians and US citizens were temporarily able to apply for a Japan eVisa during the suspension of visa exemptions. Now that visa exemptions have been reinstated, these travelers no longer need to apply for the eVisa. They can now travel to Japan visa-free for Japan for short stays
However, the Japanese government is still planning to launch the eVisa for visa-required nationalities, including Chinese citizens, Vietnam passport holders, and nationals of the Philippines.
It is expected to be made available to these nationalities in the coming months.
When to submit an online visa application
Once the system is launched, it is expected to take up to 5 business days for a Japan online visa to be processed and approved.
Therefore, applicants should submit their request at least 5 days before the intended travel dates to ensure sufficient processing time.
Required documents for the online visa
It is expected that eligible travelers will need to have the following required documents to apply for the online tourist visa or business visa for Japan:
- Valid passport
Digital passport-style image of the applicant
Valid payment method (credit/debit card)
In some cases, it may be necessary for applicants to submit additional documents upon request in order to finalize their application.
How to apply for the Japan eVisa
It is expected that eligible passport holders will be able to apply for the visa in 4 simple steps:
- Log on to the Japan eVisa website
- Complete the online form with personal, passport, and travel details
- Receive the results of your application via email
- Pay the visa fee stipulated in the email notification
Please note that eligible applicants intending to stay in Japan for more than 90 consecutive days will not be able to do so with an eVisa. In such cases, they must apply for a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate.