How to get a Japanese Visa

Every foreigner, except shipping and airline crews, who wish to enter in Japan, whether to work or visit, needs to secure a visa at an embassy or consulate. This visa will be stamped or attached to the passport. If you do not have the necessary visa, you will not be granted to enter in Japan.

A visa is different from landing permission. Landing permission is stamped in the passport by the immigration officers at the airport or seaport where he or she goes through immigration procedures. Landing permission serves as the legal basis of that the foreigner can stay in Japan. A visa is only a recommendation and does not automatically guarantee landing permission.

Visa Application

When applying for a Japanese visa, you must submit an application in person to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

Requirements

When applying for a Japanese visa you are required to submit:

• passport
• two 45mm x 45mm passport-type photos taken within the previous six months (stateless persons must submit three photos)
• two official visa application forms, available at the embassy or consulate
• documents certifying the purpose of the visit (refer to table below)

 For short-term stay

Status of residence	Supporting documents
Temporary Visitor	1.      A ticket for boarding an airplane or a vessel to leave Japan, or a written guarantee issued by a transport company. 2.      A valid passport which enables the foreign national concerned to enter foreign countries out of Japan. 3.      Documents certifying that the person concerned can defray all expenses incurred during the stay in Japan.

For Work or Long Term Stay

Status of residence	Supporting documents
Diplomat/Official	Note verbal and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan.
Professor	Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.
Artist	1.      Documents certifying the activity, its duration, and the position of the person concerned. 2.      Material showing the achievements of the artistic activity of the person concerned.
Religious Activities	1.      Documents from the foreign religious organization, certifying the duration of stay, position, and remuneration of the person concerned. 2.      Material showing the outline of the foreign religious organization which is sending the person concerned, and the recipient Japanese religious organization. 3.      Documents certifying the position and career of the person concerned as a religionist.
Journalist	Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.
Investor/Business Manager	1.      In cases where the person concerned intends to commence the operation of international trade or other business, or to invest in the business, the following materials are required. a.      A business plan, copies of the company registration, and a statement of profit and loss. b.      Material showing the number of full-time staff except the foreign national concerned, and in the case where the number of the full-time staff is two, copies of resident cards or certificates of alien registration and documents regarding wage payments of the staff concerned. c.      Material showing the outline of the business office. 2.      In cases where the person concerned intends to engage in management of international trade or other business on behalf of the foreign national who began or invested the business concerned, the following materials are required. a.     A business plan, copies of the company registration, and a statement of profit and loss. b.     Material showing the number of full-time staff except the foreign national concerned, and in the case where the number of the full-time staff is two, copies of resident cards or certificates of alien registration and documents regarding wage payments of the staff concerned. c.     Material showing the outline of the business office. d.     Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned. 3.      In cases where the person concerned intends to engage in management of international trade or other business on behalf of the foreign national who began or invested in the business concerned or is engaged in management of the business concerned which was begun or invested in Japan, the following materials are required. a.      A business plan, copies of the company registration, and a statement of profit and loss. b.      Material showing the number of full-time staff except the foreign national concerned, and in the case where the number of the full-time staff is two, copies of resident cards or certificates of alien registration and documents regarding wage payments of the staff concerned. c.      Material showing the outline of the business office. d.      Documents certifying the career of the person concerned and his or her certificate of graduation with a major in management or administration. e.      Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.