Japan – the land of the Rising Sun, is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors from every corner of the world. Japan seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern cutting-edge technologies, and this contrast is one of the country’s main attractions. You can visit centuries-old temples and at the same time take a ride in one of the fastest bullet trains in the world. 

Japan offers a well-balanced tapestry of experiences from the viewing and climbing of the majestic Mt. Fuji to touring historic temples in Kyoto. Moving further north, Tokyo is a bustling metropolis dazzling visitors with neon-lit districts like Shibuya and Akihabara. So if you are eager to experience the beautiful cherry blossoms of Japan while munching on a bowl of Japanese ramen, we have got some good news for you. Japan just released an e-visa service for Indian tourists planning to travel to the country. The service started on April 1, 2024, and the candidates are welcome to submit their application form along with suitable documents. If successful, the applicants will be granted a single-entry e-visa as a tourist with a validity of 90 days.

Eligible Countries 

The Japan e-visa program has been launched for citizens of various countries, including Brazil, Cambodia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The citizens of countries eligible for visa exemption such as the UK, USA, Singapore, etc do not need any kind of visa for short stays.

What is the Japan e-visa for Indians?

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, e-visa will be a form of single-entry tourist visa valid for 90 days. The portal was launched online to streamline the visa process, eliminating the need for physically visiting the embassy or consulate for visa processing. The launch of the Japan e-visa is aimed at attracting more and more tourists to the land of the rising sun. 

To be eligible for the Japan e-Visa for Indians, candidates must be Indian citizens or foreign nationals living in India. The Japan e-Visa allows for single-entry, short-term tourism visits of up to 90 days.

also read: Visa-Free Destinations for Indians

What are the requirements for Japan e-visa?

The applicants have to satisfy certain criteria to be able to enjoy the Japan e-visa service. Here is a list of requirements; 

• Valid Passport – It is the most basic requirement. A valid passport with a minimum 6-month validity from the date of entry into Japan is necessary. 

• Photograph – Recent passport-size colour photograph with a white background.   

• Travel Itinerary – An itinerary with clear travel plans around Japan is a must-have document. 

• Financial Documents – Proving financial capability to cover your expenses during your stay in Japan is a compulsory step. It can be done through income tax returns, salary slips, etc.

• Travel Insurance – Having travel insurance is a mandatory requirement the details of which are to be submitted with the visa application. 

• No Criminal Record – Japanese authorities perform background checks and having any kind of criminal record can lead to rejection of the visa application.

• Completed Application Form – The Japan e-Visa online application form must be filled out accurately and completely. It usually contains personal details and some other travel-related information. 

• Proof of Accommodation – Providing proof of accommodation in the form of hotel reservations, a local address or any other documentation that shows where you are staying is an important requirement. 

• Confirmed Returned Air tickets – It shows the intention to leave once the visa expires. 

Apart from the documents and conditions mentioned above, the candidates may need to provide certain other supporting documents. An important point to note is that the e-visa is to be shown on a mobile device at the airport. PDFs, screenshots, printed copies, etc will not be entertained. So, make sure to have an active internet connection on your arrival in Japan.

How to Apply for Japan e-visa?

The process of applying Japan e-visa is fairly simple requiring the candidate to fill online application, submit documents, pay the fee and so on. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process; 

Step 1 – Prepare all the necessary documents that you may need to upload in the next step. 

Step 2 – Access the online Portal and complete the Application form 

The candidates need to visit the online Japan e-visa portal, register an account and fill out the application containing personal information, travel details and so on. You will have to upload the necessary documents also at this point. 

Step 3 – Visa Fee Payment

Keep checking the registered e-mail address for a mail titled “Notice of visa fees”. You are supposed to pay the required fee on receiving this email. 

Step 4 – Submit documents in Person 

The candidates must turn in their paperwork at the specified address at the appointed time, the same as before. The distinction is that rather than having a visa sticker on their passports, the candidates will now receive an electronic visa.

Step 5 – Japan e-Visa Issuance

Upon satisfying every condition and successful payment of the fee, an e-visa will be issued with a validity of 90 days. It is important to note that the “visa issuance” must be shown on a device with an active internet connection as PDFs, screenshots and printed copies won’t be accepted at the airport.

Process of Showing Visa Issuance Notice  

When checking in at the airport, you will need to show the “visa issuance notice” on your device. The travel agency will provide you with a “Visa Issuance Notice” (printed or pdf files) containing a two-dimensional barcode.

To show the notice, scan the two-dimensional barcode and input the necessary data on your device.

When you hit “Display,” the countdown timer at the upper right corner of the screen begins counting down instantly, and an electronic “visa issuance notice” appears. This countdown demonstrates the validity of the notice.

Benefits of Japan e-visa for Indians

Adaptation of technology to perform traditional tasks always leads to certain upgrading benefits. The same has happened in the case of the Japan e-visa portal. Here are some of the most common and useful benefits of online visa applications. 

• The processing time for a Japan visa has been considerably reduced. 

• E-visa portal allows the applicants to apply for the visa from anywhere at any time using the Internet. 

• A notable advantage of the Japan e-visa is the time and money it saves. The traditional procedure was lengthy and confusing requiring extensive paperwork. The applicants also had to visit the embassy or consulate in person, but the launch of the Japan e-visa portal has eliminated the need for all that to happen.

• The process itself is pretty straightforward, unlike other bureaucratic procedures

• In rare cases of any issues or questions, there is a support team available round the clock.   

The Japan e-visa for Indians is the latest step towards the modernisation of international travel. The facility of e-visa is aimed at streamlining the process of acquiring a visa and in return it will boost the tourism industry in Japan. So if you have always wanted to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, now is the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the Japan e-visa valid for?

The e-visa is valid for 90 days (3 months). It is a single-entry tourist visa which grants the travellers access to the entire country of Japan.

2. What is the cost of a Japan e-visa for Indians?

Typically, the visa issuance fee for a single-entry visa is 3000 yen, approx. INR 1835.

3. What is the Japan e-visa program?

The Japan e-visa program is an online portal launched by the Japanese government to streamline the tourist visa process for citizens of certain countries. 

4. What documents are required for the e-Visa application?

Several documents may be needed for the successful completion of the e-visa application. The most important ones are as follows; 

• Valid Passport with at least 6 months of validity
• Proof of Accommodation 
• Financial documents to prove that the applicants can cover their expenses
• Travel Itinerary 
• Proof of insurance 

5. Is It possible to apply for a work visa through the Japan e-Visa system?

No, the Japan e-Visa is only available for applicants who are applying for a temporary visitor visa specifically for tourism purposes. The visa issued through the e-visa portal is a single-entry tourism visa valid for 90 days.