General Information

2025/4/1

Visa and Entry of Japan

Visa and Entry of Japan
General visa / eVISA inquiry


Please check FAQs on Japan eVISA website before making an inquiry.
❓JAPAN eVISA FAQ


If you have any visa questions or eVISA technical inquiry, please contact to "Japan Visa Information Hotline".

Japan Visa Information Hotline
✉️japan-visa@bridge-ms.com
*Please mention your nationality or citizenship and place of your residence in your email. (English only)

☎️(+61 AUS) 08 7130 3370
(24 hours / 7 days a week, English only)
This hotline is designed for visa applicants residing in Australia.
*The Hotline will not connect you to the Consulate-General's Visa section.



▶️Arrival procedures (immigration, customs) and "Tax-free shopping service" online

▶️Re-entry Permit/Special Re-entry permit or COE inquiries
🔗Immigration Services Agency of Japan
TEL: +81-3-5796-7112

▶️Information on Denial of Landing
An applicant with an arrest or criminal record can directly inquire Japanese Immigration.
🔗Immigration Services Agency of Japan
TEL: +81-3-5796-7112

Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
> SECTION 2 LANDING OF A FOREIGN NATIONAL
> Article 5 (Denial of Landing)



Visa expiration date


  • Most visas: Three months after the date of issue.
    • *You can apply for a visa up to three months before your date of entry to Japan.
  • Working holiday visa: One year after the date of issue.

Processing time


    Applied to the accredited agencies in person/by post
  • At least one week (five working days) from the date of acceptance by the Consulate-General of Japan is necessary to process and release passports to the accredited agencies for collection.
  • If the passport has not been returned within a week, applicants who need to verify the status of their application may enquire with their chosen agency.
  • If a visa is issued, the passport with the visa will be returned to the applicant.
  • If the visa is denied, only the passport will be returned to the applicant.

    eVISA (Tourism purpose ONLY)
  • Most of the case 2 weeks with completed documents.
  • We DO NOT provide expedite visa services.
  • We recommend applying early – at least 1 month in advance of your trip.

Important notes


Depending on examination:

  • Additional documents may be necessary
  • Personal appearance of applicants may be requested
  • Inquiry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Immigration Services Agency of Japan may be necessary
  • Examination may not be completed by the scheduled date of departure to Japan

→ Please apply early and allot enough time for situations like this.


⚠️We cannot accommodate requests for early release of passports for scheduled date of departure.




FAQ
A: No. Australians who enter Japan as tourists may stay for up to 90 days as long as they hold an Australian passport which remains valid during their stay and do not receive any income while in Japan.
A: In order to get a visa to work in Japan, you must first find a potential employer who is willing to act as your sponsor and arrange for your Certificate of Eligibility. If you then qualify for a visa, one will be issued by an overseas Japanese diplomatic mission.
A: No. Once you are in Japan you cannot in principle change your visa. If you want to work in Japan you must obtain a working visa from a Japanese diplomatic mission in Australia or a third country.
A: Generally, Japanese visa is valid for 3 months after the issue. You may apply on the day of 3 months prior to your entry date of Japan.
A: The passport must remain valid during the period of the stay but there is no minimum period of validity required. However, we recommend 6 months validity of your passport to ensure your smooth travel. Some countries require 6 months validity for transit as well.
A: Some nationals with certain conditions may need a guarantor. It is not necessary to have a guarantor unless it is specified on the requirements. Please check the requirements carefully.
A: Some countries issue ID No. to citizen. If you do not have any ID issued by your government, please write 'N/A'.
A: All visa applicants must come in person to apply for visa. As an exception, the family member (NOT friends or agents) can apply for a visa on bahalf of the applicant with the documents showing family such as marriage certificate and birth certificate. In that case the applicant who has NOT appeared yet has to come to collect his/her passport when the assessment is completed.
A: Visa holders must enter Japan on or before the visa expires, or date of expiry. Upon arrival in Japan, the traveler presents the visa in a valid passport or travel document, and, at the officer’ s discretion, the immigration officer will grant or deny the visa holder permission in the form of a status (of residency) with a specific time period the traveler may stay in Japan. In most cases the period of stay granted by the immigration officer will be identical to the length of time designated on the visa “For stay(s) of.”Therefore, the visa expiration date is generally NOT the last day the visa holder may stay in Japan. Notes: 1. The Certificate of Eligibility must also be presented to the immigration officer if the traveler submitted a Certificate of Eligibility with his or her application. Notes: 2. A Certificate of Eligibility loses its validity if not presented to an immigration officer within three months of its issue date. This will always be before the expiry date of the visa.
A: The number of days of your stay in Japan is counted from the first full day following your arrival. For example, if you arrive in Japan on the 1st of March, you begin counting 15 days from the 2nd of March, so your departure date should be no later than the 16th of March.


Travel to Japan

Visa and Entry of Japan
⚠️There are no medication experts at Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne and as such we are unable to provide information pertaining to specific medicines.

Information for those bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
🔗Embassy of Japan in Australia
🔗Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan

Information concerning narcotics, psychotropic medicines and other controlled substances (including ADHD medication), please refer to the following web page
🔗APPLICATION GUIDANCE (Narcotics Control Department)

More information
🔗Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan)



  • It is recommended to take out an overseas travel insurance. YouTube movie https://youtu.be/lleQbd0yXmw
  • An overseas travel insurance makes you feel secure, even in emergencies, and you can enjoy your trip.
  • Medical expenses can be very high in Japan. If the travel insurance you purchased offers sufficient coverage of treatment costs, you can receive treatment without concern.
  • It is recommended to haven an overseas travel insurance with travel support for hospital referrals, medical interpretation, and cashless medical service.(We recommend that you check your insurance details before travelling. For example, perinatal medical care is not covered by travel insurance and can be expensive.)




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