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Japan visit visa: tourist visa and eVISA
Japan is not visa-free for Indians, and there is no visa on arrival, so you arrange a visa before you fly. There are two ways: the eVISA for a single-entry tourist visit, lodged through a Japan-accredited agency, or the traditional sticker visa through VFS Global. The fee for Indians is among the lowest anywhere, and Japan rewards a complete, well-prepared file.
Data current as of June 2026
What you need to visit Japan
Japan is one of the most rewarding destinations for Indian travellers, and getting a visa is simpler than its reputation suggests, as long as you prepare a complete file. The key thing to know is that Indians always need a visa.
Japan offers no visa-free entry and no visa on arrival for Indian passport holders, so you must secure your visa before you travel. Arriving without one means being turned away at boarding. There are two routes. The eVISA, available to Indians since September 2025, is for single-entry tourist visits and is lodged through a Japan-accredited travel agency, giving a digital Visa Issuance Notice rather than a passport sticker. The traditional route is a sticker visa through a VFS Global centre, which covers single-entry, multiple-entry, and business visas.
The good news is real: from April 2026, the visa fee for Indian nationals is among the lowest of any major destination. Japan does assess applications carefully, looking closely at your itinerary, your finances, and your ties to India, but that is a filter that well-prepared applicants pass, not a barrier. This page is a full guide: the two routes, the documents Japan checks closely, the fees, the stay rules, and the process.
You need a visa, but it is easier than you think
Unlike some destinations, Japan is not visa-free for Indians. That sounds like more work, but the process is well-defined, the fee is very low, and approval comes down to a clear, honest, complete file.
No visa-free, no visa on arrival, but a low fee and a clear process
Every Indian traveller needs a visa before departure, with no visa on arrival. In return, the embassy fee for Indians is among the lowest anywhere, the process is well-defined, and a meticulous file is what wins approval. Apply through the eVISA for a single-entry tourist trip, or through VFS Global for other needs.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/jpn), current for 2026. Japan has no visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangement for Indian nationals, who must obtain a visa before travel through VFS Global or the eVISA via an accredited agency. Rules and fees can change, so confirm on the official sites before you apply.
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Which route is yours?
The right route depends on your trip. This quick guide shows when the eVISA through an accredited agency fits, and when you use the sticker visa through VFS Global.
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eVISA and sticker visa compared
Both are valid Japan visas with the same conditions. The difference is how you apply and what you receive. Here is how they compare for Indian travellers.
- Apply through
- A Japan-accredited travel agency, not self-service
- You receive
- A digital Visa Issuance Notice, no sticker
- Covers
- Single-entry tourist visits only
- At the airport
- Display the notice online, carry a printout as backup
- Best for
- A single-entry holiday with no centre visit
- Apply through
- A VFS Global centre in your jurisdiction
- You receive
- A visa sticker placed in your passport
- Covers
- Single, multiple-entry, and business visas
- At the airport
- Show your passport with the visa sticker
- Best for
- Multiple-entry, business, or families
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) and VFS Global Japan (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/jpn), current for 2026. The eVISA is for single-entry tourist visits, lodged through a Japan-accredited agency, and issued as a digital Visa Issuance Notice displayed online at the airport. The sticker visa, through VFS Global, covers single, multiple-entry, and business visas. Indians cannot self-apply on the eVISA website. Rules can change, so confirm before you apply.
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What Japan checks closely
Japan has a reputation for a careful visa process, but it is really just three things done well. Get these right and your application is strong. They are not a barrier, but a filter.
A real itinerary
A detailed day-by-day plan with cities, dates, and confirmed hotels, not a vague outline. Use the Japanese hotel addresses.
Consistent finances
Six months of steady bank statements that match your declared income, with no sudden large deposit just before you apply.
Clear ties to India
Evidence you will return, such as employment with a leave letter, family, property, or a business, shown honestly.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. Japanese missions assess each application to confirm a genuine, well-planned visit and an intention to return, looking closely at the itinerary, the financial record over several months, and ties to India. A complete, honest file is what succeeds. Requirements can change, so confirm the current checklist before you apply.
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Japan visit visa options compared
The visit visa comes in a few forms for different travellers. This table compares the main ones for Indian applicants.
| Option | How you apply | Stay and entry |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVISA | Accredited agency, online | Up to 90 days, single entry |
| Tourist sticker visa | VFS Global centre | Up to 90 days, single entry |
| Multiple-entry visa | VFS Global centre | 90 days a visit, 3 to 5 years |
| Business visit visa | VFS Global, with invitation | Short business visit |
| Transit visa | VFS Global centre | For airport changes |
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. The tourist visa, by eVISA or sticker, allows a stay of up to 90 days as a temporary visitor, single entry, while a multiple-entry visa allows several visits of up to 90 days over a validity of about three to five years. The business visit visa needs a host invitation, and a transit visa covers airport changes. None allow paid work. Categories can change, so confirm current details before you apply.
For most Indian tourists the single-entry tourist visa, by eVISA or sticker, is the route. We match you to the right option for your trip.
Documents you need for a Japan visa
A complete, consistent file is the single biggest factor in approval. This table shows the core documents for the tourist visa.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport and photo | All applicants | Valid 6 months, 2 blank pages, 45 by 45 mm photo |
| Application form | All applicants | Completed and signed, matching the passport |
| Day-by-day itinerary | All applicants | Detailed, with cities, dates, and hotels |
| Flights and hotels | All applicants | Confirmed bookings, not on hold |
| Bank statements | All applicants | About 6 months, steady balance |
| ITR and cover letter | All applicants | Recent ITR, plus a sincere cover letter |
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. The passport should be valid six months with two blank pages, the photo is usually 45 by 45 mm on a white background, and the file should include a detailed day-by-day itinerary, confirmed flights and hotels, about six months of bank statements, recent income tax returns, and a cover letter. An employer leave letter helps. Confirm the current checklist before you apply.
Strong, consistent documents that show a genuine, well-planned trip and clear ties to India are what officers reward. We build and review your full file so it tells a clear, honest story.
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Japan visit visa fees
The Japan visa fee for Indians is unusually low, with the VFS service charge added on top. The table shows the main charges as a guide.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry visa fee | About 500 rupees | Embassy fee, from April 2026 |
| Multiple-entry visa fee | About 500 rupees | Same low rate for Indians |
| Transit visa fee | About 50 rupees | For airport changes |
| VFS service charge | About 800 rupees | Per application, non-refundable |
| Typical total | About 1,300 to 1,800 rupees | Visa plus service, with optional courier |
Source: Embassy of Japan in India, the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. From April 2026 the embassy fee for Indian nationals is about 500 rupees for single and multiple-entry tourist visas and about 50 rupees for transit, with a VFS service charge of about 800 rupees per application and optional courier return. The embassy fee is refunded if the visa is refused, while the VFS charge is not. Fees are set in yen and can change with the exchange rate, so confirm before you apply.
Budget for the embassy fee, the VFS service charge, and any courier or insurance. We give you a clear, current cost picture before you apply.
The Japan visit visa process, step by step
Think of it as building a file, then submitting it. The six steps below take you from choosing your route to travelling to Japan.
Choose your route
The eVISA through an accredited agency for a single-entry tourist trip, or VFS Global for a sticker or multiple-entry visa.
Find your jurisdiction
Identify the Japanese consulate and VFS centre that cover your state of residence, since the wrong one can be rejected.
Build your file
Passport, the correct photo, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, confirmed flights and hotels, six months of bank statements, and a cover letter.
Submit and pay
Book an appointment and submit at VFS, or lodge the eVISA through the agency, and pay the low embassy fee and service charge.
Wait for processing
Allow at least five working days, and longer in peak seasons, then collect your passport or receive your Visa Issuance Notice.
Travel to Japan
Carry your sticker visa, or display your Visa Issuance Notice online at the airport, and complete Visit Japan Web for a smoother arrival.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. Indians choose the eVISA through an accredited agency or the VFS sticker route, apply in the correct jurisdiction with a complete file, and allow at least five working days, longer in peak seasons. The eVISA gives a digital Visa Issuance Notice displayed online at the airport. A visa does not guarantee entry. Confirm current details before you apply.
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Japan visit visa dos and donts
Most refusals come from avoidable mistakes. These dos and donts keep your application strong and honest.
Do the right things
- Apply in the VFS jurisdiction for your state.
- Write a detailed day-by-day itinerary.
- Keep your bank balance steady for 6 months.
- Use the correct 45 by 45 mm photo.
- Write a sincere cover letter, not a template.
- Apply 3 to 6 weeks ahead, earlier in peak season.
Do not do these
- Do not assume Japan is visa-free or visa on arrival.
- Do not submit a vague or copied itinerary.
- Do not make a sudden large deposit before applying.
- Do not use on-hold or fake bookings.
- Do not try to self-apply on the eVISA website.
- Do not work on a tourist visa.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan, current for 2026. Applications must be made in the correct jurisdiction with a complete, consistent file, Indians cannot self-apply on the eVISA website, and the tourist visa does not allow paid work. A refusal usually blocks reapplying for the same purpose for six months. Rules can change, so confirm current details.
What you can and cannot do
A visit visa lets you do plenty as a tourist or short business visitor, within clear limits. Here is what is and is not allowed.
You can
- Explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido.
- See Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Nara.
- Visit family and friends in Japan.
- Attend meetings and conferences on a business visit.
- Travel freely across Japan within your stay.
- Stay up to 90 days as a temporary visitor.
You cannot
- Take up paid employment in Japan.
- Study a long program on a visit.
- Extend a short-term tourist stay, as an Indian.
- Stay beyond 90 days without the right visa.
- Self-apply on the eVISA website.
For work or long-term study you need the appropriate visa and a Certificate of Eligibility, applied for before travel. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) and the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, current for 2026. A visit visa is for tourism and short business only and does not allow paid work, which needs a work visa and a Certificate of Eligibility. Short-term tourist extensions are generally not available to Indian travellers. Overstaying can lead to a re-entry ban. Rules can change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
Stay, validity, and the rules
A visit visa is for a short stay as a temporary visitor. This table explains the stay, extension, and entry rules for Indian travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 90 days | As a temporary visitor |
| Entry | Single or multiple | Multiple often after a strong history |
| Extension | Not available | For Indian short-term tourists |
| Visa on arrival | Not available | Arrange the visa before travel |
| eVISA validity | 90 days to use | Single entry, tourism only |
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), current for 2026. The visit visa allows a stay of up to 90 days as a temporary visitor, single or multiple entry, with extensions generally not available to Indian short-term tourists, so you leave when your stay ends. There is no visa on arrival, and the single-entry eVISA must be used within 90 days of issue. Rules can change.
The visit visa is for short stays, not for settling. If you want to work, study, or stay longer, a separate visa is needed. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for, and refusal reasons
A Japan visit visa is approved when your trip is clearly genuine, your finances are steady, and your ties to India are clear. Knowing what is checked helps you prepare a strong file.
Common reasons for refusal include insufficient or inconsistent financial proof, a vague or generic itinerary, unconfirmed bookings, weak ties to India, mismatched details between the form and documents, or a poor travel history. Sudden large deposits just before applying also raise questions. The embassy does not give detailed reasons, and you generally cannot reapply for the same purpose within six months. Most issues are avoidable with careful preparation.
Indians always need a visa for Japan, with no visa on arrival, applied for as an eVISA through an accredited agency for single-entry tourism, or a sticker visa through VFS Global for other needs. The embassy fee for Indians is very low, about 500 rupees, plus a VFS service charge. The stay is up to 90 days, extensions are generally not available, and approval rests on a detailed itinerary, steady finances, and clear ties to India. An officer still decides entry at the border.
Factual overview, verified against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp), the Consulate-General of Japan, and VFS Global Japan (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/jpn), current as of June 2026. Fees, routes, and rules are set by the Japanese authorities and can change at any time. A visa does not guarantee entry.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the Japanese authorities and the officer at the border. We give you a realistic view and help you build the strongest possible application.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Japan visit visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian travellers through the Japan visit visa, from choosing the eVISA or VFS route and the correct jurisdiction to building the meticulous file Japan rewards, the fees, and the documents. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.