Japan Visa for Indian Citizens in 2024

Are you from India and planning to travel to Japan? The good news is that Indian citizens can now get an e-visa to travel to Japan, so you no longer need a visa sticker on your passport.

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

Starting April 1, 2024, Japan began issuing e-visas to Indian visitors. This new method allows you to apply online for your visa without needing a physical sticker in your passport.

You can apply for this visa at special Visa Application Centers run by VFS Global, a company that handles visa services. This e-visa is designed for tourists and can be used for a single visit of up to 90 days. Remember that you can only use an electronic visa if you enter Japan by plane.

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?

If you are from or live in one of these countries, you can apply for a Japan visa online: Brazil, Taiwan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, USA, and India.

This includes Indian citizens and people from other countries who live in India. If your country doesn't normally require a short-term visa, this may not apply to you. Otherwise, you can use the Japan visa official website to apply for an e-Visa.

You cannot obtain a Japan visa if you have been convicted of a crime in any country or have been deported.

In Which Cases Should Indian Citizens Apply for a Visa to Japan at the Consulate?

The Japan eVisa system allows applicants to apply online for a short-term tourism visa, which is valid for less than 90 days and for single-entry purposes. However, for other types of visas, such as study or work one, you must apply through a consulate.

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 e-Visa from India

To get a Japan e-visa for a short visit for tourism, you will need to provide these documents:

• Passport. Your passport should be valid and have more than two blank pages. Also, if you have any old passports, you need to show them.
• Photocopy of Passport Information. Make a copy of the first and last pages of your current passport.
• Visa Application Form. Complete the application form and sign it.
• Photograph. You need one photo that meets specific requirements.
• Hotel Bookings. Information about where you will stay.
• Travel Itinerary, including flight details.
• Schedule of stay.
• Bank Statement. A recent bank statement (within the last month) to prove that you have enough money for your trip.

If You Are a Student or Dependent, you will need additional documents, such as:

• Parental/Spousal Consent: A letter of consent from your parents or spouse.
• Income Proof: Your parents or spouse's most recent income tax return. If that's not available, a bank statement from the last six months may be used instead.
• Proof of Relationship: If someone is traveling with you, like a child or spouse, bring a document that shows your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or passport copy.
• Birth Certificate: Required for dependents to prove the relationship.

Technical Details for Files:

• All documents should be less than 2 MB each.
• You can submit these files in any of the following formats: PDF, TIF, JPG/JPEG (they are the same thing), PNG, GIF, BMP, or HEIC.

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

Japan visa price for Indian citizens is as follows:

• Single or Multiple Entry Visa: INR500 (approximately USD$6)
• Transit Visa: INR50 (USD$0,60)

Please note that a VFS service fee of about INR800 (approximately USD$10) will also apply.

Japan e-Visa Waiting Times

Expect your Japan visa processing time to take 5-6 working days. After this, you will receive a “Visa Issuance Notice” via email.

Good luck with your visa application, and enjoy your trip to Japan!