Visa: General Information

How to Apply

Due to the high volume of applications received following the recent changes to the border restrictions, visa applications can only be submitted by post or through a registered visa agent. (See Latest Visa Information page).

Note 1: Citizens of Russia and NIS are required to submit TWO visa application forms and TWO identical passport-sized photographs.

Note 2: Holders of Convention Travel Documents, emergency passports and temporary passports are advised to contact the Embassy in advance of making an application.

It normally takes 5 working days for visa applications to be processed. However, please note that due to restrictions relating to the coronavirus pandemic, processing may sometimes take significantly longer than usual.

Applications from non-residents in the UK (e.g. visitor visa holders) cannot be accepted.

Visa applicants living in Scotland and the North of England (Cumbria, County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland) should contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh.

Visa applicants may use a registered visa agent to apply for a visa unless the application is for a Student visa, Working Holiday visa, or Spouse or Child of Japanese National visa.

Applicants who apply for a visa through a registered agent are not required to visit the Embassy in person to apply.

Please click here for a list of registered visa agents.

From March 2, 2015, applicants will no longer be able to use a pre-paid special delivery envelope in order to have their passport returned. Therefore, applicants who are unable to visit the Embassy in person are advised to use a registered visa agent.

Visa Fees

Visa fees vary depending on the applicant's nationality and the type of visa (See Visa Fees list).

Note: Fees must be paid in cash. We do not accept cheques or credit/debit cards.

Opening Hours

09:30 - 13:00, 14:00 - 16:30, Monday to Friday (excluding British National Holidays, The Year-end and New Year Holidays, and some Japanese National Holidays. Please see the list of Embassy Holidays.)

News

• Mask use for visitors to JapanNew
• Confirmation letter for “Student” or “Technical Intern Trainee” visa applicantsNew
• New Visa fees from the 1st April 2022
• Introduction of Japan Visa Information Hotline
• Launch of “Visit Japan Web” (for online registration of CIQ information)
• Visa exemption arrangement(Currently suspended)
• Japanese Government Initiatives relating to COVID-19
• Notice:Extension of period of validity for Certificates of Eligibility (in relation to COVID-19)
• Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for Nationals of India
• Warning: Be aware of fraudulent website, social media, emails in an attempt to extract payments from visa applicants
• Visitors to Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate prefectures
• Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for Nationals of Viet Nam and India for business purpose and cultural or intellectual figures
• Visa applications from nationals and residents of Libya, Syria and Yemen
• Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for Nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam
• Changes to the Basic Resident Registration Law -Foreign residents will be subject to the Basic Resident Registration Law-

Links

• A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign National (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)
• Guide to Japanese Visas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
• Guide to Living in Japan (PDF)
• Immigration Bureau of Japan
• Japan National Tourism Organization