Japan Visa for Indian Citizens in 2026

Indian citizens traveling to Japan for tourism must obtain a visa. The application process depends on where you legally reside.

This Japan visa guide will give you all the information about entry rules to Japan, making it easier for you to prepare for your travel.

Table of contents

• Japan Visa Policy for Indian Citizens
• Who is Eligible to Apply for Japan Visa Online?
• In Which Cases Should Indian Citizens Apply for a Visa to Japan at the Consulate?
• Japan e-Visa Application Process
• Documents Required to Apply for Japan e-Visa from India
• Japan Visa Photo Requirements
• Get a Japan Visa Photo Online!
• Instantly Take Japan Visa Photo With a Phone
• Japan e-Visa Fees for Indian Citizens
• Japan e-Visa Waiting Times

Japan Visa Policy for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens must obtain a visa for all short-term travel to Japan, including tourism. There is no visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival option for Indian passport holders.

Key policy points

eVisa introduction

Since April 1, 2024, eligible applicants residing in India receive a digital eVisa instead of a physical visa sticker. Applications are submitted through VFS Global India. Approved travelers receive an online visa issuance notice.

Residency-based access

Indian citizens who legally reside in certain countries—such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, or the United States—may apply directly through the official JAPAN eVISA portal. This option is available for short-term tourism (up to 90 days), single entry, and is valid only for arrival by air or sea.

Stay duration

Tourist stays are permitted for up to 90 days. Depending on the outcome of the application review, authorities may issue either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

At the border

For those who get an e-visa, you must show the “visa issuance notice” on your mobile device at the airport. You’ll need internet access because a PDF, photo, screenshot, or printout won't work.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Japan Visa Online?

Direct online applications through the JAPAN eVISA portal are available only to legal residents (who are not visa-exempt nationals) of the following countries and regions: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For Indian citizens: Eligibility is determined by residency, not citizenship. Indian passport holders who live in India must apply through VFS Global or another accredited agency and cannot submit a direct online application. However, Indian citizens who legally reside in one of the eligible countries listed above (for example, resident Indians in the US or UK) may apply directly through the eVISA portal.

Nationals of visa-exempt countries (approximately 71 countries and regions) do not need to apply for an eVISA for short-term tourism.

The online eVISA is issued for single-entry tourism only, with a maximum stay of 90 days. Entry must be by air or sea. Applicants may be refused if they have prior criminal convictions, previous deportation from Japan, or other immigration violations.

How to Apply for a Japanese Visa From India?

Indian citizens who live in India cannot apply through the direct JAPAN eVISA portal. All visa categories—tourist, business, work, study, and others—must be submitted through VFS Global centers affiliated with the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate.

The online eVISA (single-entry tourism, maximum stay of 90 days, air or sea entry only) is available exclusively to Indian citizens who legally reside in eligible countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia. It is not available to applicants residing in India.

Applications for work visas, student visas, multiple-entry tourist visas, transit visas, or any non-tourism purpose must always be processed through a consulate or VFS Global. These categories are not covered by the direct online eVISA system, regardless of residency.

Japan e-Visa Application Process

To apply for a Japan visa online from India or from another country, simply follow these instructions:

1. Go to the Japan Visa Application Centre's website by VFS Global.
2. Complete the application form:
   • Download the visa application form, fill it out correctly, print the entire form, and make sure each required section is completed.
   • Make photocopies of all documents required for a Single Entry Short-Term Visitor Visa.
3. You can submit your application by making an appointment at the Visa Application Center. After booking, you will receive an email with your appointment details.
4. Bring your filled-out visa application form to the center at your appointment time. You’ll be informed by email when you can pick up the decision on your visa.
5. You can check the status of your application online by using the reference number given on your invoice/receipt and your date of birth.
6. You'll get an electronic visa (e-Visa) instead of a sticker if approved. Remember, you'll need to show a “Visa Issuance Notice” on your phone at the airport:
   • When checking in at the airport, display the “Visa Issuance Notice” on your mobile device. Your travel agency will give you this notice, which has a two-dimensional barcode and can be printed or viewed in PDF format.
   • Use your device to scan the barcode and enter the necessary information to access your notice.
   • Once you tap “Display,” you’ll see the electronic “Visa Issuance Notice” and a countdown timer that shows how long the notice is valid.

Documents Required to Apply for Japan Visa from India

For short-term tourism, prepare the following documents:

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date and contain at least 2 blank pages. Submit old passports if available.
• Passport copies: Clear A4 copy of the bio-data page. Include copies of previous visas, if applicable.
• Application form: Completed and signed visa application form (online or printed version, as required by VFS/consulate).
• Photograph: 1–2 recent passport-size photos (2×2 inches, white background, taken within the last 3–6 months).
• Travel itinerary and schedule: Day-by-day travel plan, confirmed round-trip flight booking, and hotel reservations for the entire stay.
• Financial proof: Bank statements for the last 6 months (stamped by the bank, showing sufficient balance). Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last 2–3 years are strongly recommended.

Students or dependents (sponsored by parents or spouse):

• Signed consent or sponsorship letter from the sponsor.
• Sponsor’s financial documents: last 2 years of ITR, 6-month bank statements, and employment proof or No Objection Certificate (NOC).
• Proof of relationship: marriage certificate or birth certificate, plus a copy of the sponsor’s passport.

Submission notes: Applications must be submitted through VFS Global. Bring both original documents and photocopies. Any document not in English or Japanese must be accompanied by a translation. Authorities do not publish strict file size or format rules, but PDF and JPG formats are commonly accepted where digital uploads apply.

Japan Visa Photo Requirements

When you take a photo for your Japan visa, it must meet these rules:

• The photo shouldn't be more than 6 months old.
• The Japan visa photo size in cm is 3.5×4.5. Your face must cover 80% of the photo.
• The digital file size must be no larger than 2 MB. JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and HEIC are acceptable file types. Do not use scanned images.
• The background must be plain white.
• The lighting should be even, without any shadows on your face or background.
• Make sure there are no other people or objects in the photo.
• Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression. Your face must be clearly visible.
• Your eyes should be open, and your hair should not cover your face.
• Glasses are not allowed.
• If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, it should not hide your face.

Get a Japan Visa Photo Online!

Need a Japan visa photo fast and easily? Try Visafoto.com! This user-friendly service has an impressive 99.7% success rate.

Here's what to do: Simply use your phone or digital camera to take a photo against a plain white background, then upload it to Visafoto.com. They'll do everything else, ensuring your photo meets the official requirements, including the correct picture size for a Japan visa, background color, and the position of your face.

Are you not happy with the result? Visafoto offers a full money-back guarantee. Plus, you'll get two versions of your photo: a digital one for online applications and a printable template for the Japan Embassy visa photo.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You will have two kinds of photos. A digital one is suitable for e-visa applications and the other one is to print. Here they are:

Instantly Take Japan Visa Photo With a Phone

Another great Japan visa photo maker is the 7ID app by Visafoto.com. This smart app takes the stress out of taking ID, passport, and visa photos with your smartphone, whether using an iPhone or an Android.

Just upload your photo, pick the document and country you need, and 7ID will take it from there. The app automatically adjusts your photo to follow official requirements, changing the size and format and making sure your face and eyes are positioned correctly.

For those who want extra editing, the Expert Tool makes advanced adjustments, no matter what the background. And if you need any help, our 24/7 customer support team is always ready to assist.

Japan e-Visa Fees for Indian Citizens

Embassy visa fees :

• Single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa: ₹450 (approximately USD 5.40)
• Transit visa: ₹50 (approximately USD 0.60)

VFS service fee: Approximately ₹800 (mandatory, inclusive of applicable taxes). This fee is charged separately from the embassy visa fee.

Japan e-Visa Waiting Times

For Indian citizens applying through VFS Global, standard processing usually takes 5–10 working days. If the visa is approved, you will receive a “Visa Issuance Notice” by email. Application status can be tracked online through the VFS system.

During peak travel periods or if the application is incomplete, processing may take up to two weeks. Submitting your documents well in advance of your travel date is strongly recommended.

Last Update: February 2026>