Visa: Temporary Visitor’s Visa
Visa Info | General Info | Criteria for Visa Issuance | Visa Categories | Temporary Visitor’s Visa | Transit Visa | Visa for Work & Long Term Stay | Cruise Travelers | Overseas Applicants | Visa Fees | Visa Application | How to obtain more info | FAQ | Certificate Info
Temporary Visitor's Visa
1. Who can use a Temporary Visitor Visa
A Temporary Visitor Visa is for those applicants who intend to stay in Japan for 90 days or less for such purposes as follows:
(1) Sightseeing, Sports;
(2) Visiting relatives, friends, or acquaintances;
(3) Visiting a sick person;
(4) Attending a wedding or funeral ceremony;
(5) Participating in athletic tournaments, contests etc. as an amateur;
(6) Business purposes(such as market research, business liaison, business consultation, signing a contract, or providing after-sale service for imported machinery); inspecting or visiting plants, trade fairs etc.;
(7) Attending lectures, explanatory meetings etc.; academic surveys or research presentations;
(8) Religious pilgrimages or visits;
(9) Friendship visits to sister cities, sister schools etc.;
(10) Other similar activities during a short period of stay in Japan.
Persons planning to travel to Japan for a different purpose, such as students, workers, journalists, entertainers, attorneys (taking depositions), etc., must apply for a different type of visa in the appropriate category.
2. Business Activities
All individuals or companies intending to conduct business with Japanese nationals or companies please remember that it is your responsibility and in your best interest to fully investigate the validity of the persons or companies before commencing business transactions.
The Embassy of Japan regrettably is unable to take any action over private business matters or disputes by reason of absence of legislative authority over private business issues.
In matters concerning private business disputes, the embassy advises that a report be made to your local police authority and Interpol police.
3. Visa Exemption
Suriname and citizens of other countries which have a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with Japan may be eligible to visit Japan without a visa for a short-term stay for the activities allowed to Temporary Visitors.
For more information about reciprocal visa exemption arrangements, please visit VISA : Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
Applicants who are non-nationals of their country of residence must provide verification of their residency status.
Minors traveling with adults: Proof of legal guardianship/relationship must be presented.
Minors traveling alone: Consent/Authorization and proof of legal guardianship must be presented.
4. Documentation
Please DO NOT staple documents. Please be aware that we will decline applications that have incomplete documentation.
If any of the required documentation is not in English/Japanese, please have the documents translated before submission. We only accept documentation in English/Japanese.
The following documents must be submitted when applying for a Temporary Visa:
(1) Tourism/Sightseeing Purposes
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
a. A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
b. One (1) passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background. Please paste onto visa application form.
c. A completed and signed visa application form. Blank forms are available on this website, or you may download it here: Visa Application Form
d. A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g. driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
e. Intended flight itinerary/reservation
f. A recent bank statement (within the last three (3) months) showing sufficient funds for expenses in Japan. *Please note that screenshots will not be accepted. The bank statement should include the name of the account holder(s), the current balance, and the bank's stamp.
g. A completed Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary: Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary Form
This form must be filled out in detail and the dates should match the intended flight itinerary/reservation. (e.g. date of arrival in Japan, check-in to hotel, change of hotels, airports etc., as well as a comprehensive list of daily activities for the duration of the applicant's stay in Japan. Writing 'sightseeing' alone will not suffice.)
h. Hotel confirmation/booking that corresponds to the Schedule of Stay
(2) Visiting Relatives/Acquaintances
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
a. A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
b. One (1) passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background. Please paste onto visa application form.
c. A completed and signed visa application form. Blank forms are available on this website, or you may download it here: Visa Application Form
d. A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g. driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
e. Intended flight itinerary/reservation.
f. A recent bank statement (within the last three (3) months) showing sufficient funds for expenses in Japan. *Please note that screenshots will not be accepted. The bank statement should include the name of the account holder(s), the current balance, and the bank's stamp. If the applicant is not covering their travel expenses but the person they are visiting is, that person becomes their guarantor (see below for further requirements).
g. Proof of kinship if visiting relatives (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, an original copy of the family register (KOSEKI-TOHON/SHOHON) issued within the last three (3) months) or proof of acquaintance if visiting acquaintances (e.g. photos, letters, copy of e-mails etc.)
Documents to be provided from Japan
a. Invitation letter to be completed by inviting person
b. A completed Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary from inviting person and the dates should match the intended flight itinerary/reservation. This form must be filled out in detail. If visiting a hotel, the accompanying hotel confirmation/booking should be included.
c. A copy of both sides of the valid Residence Card of inviting person/guarantor if they are a foreign national.
d. A copy of the Family Register Certificate (KOSEKITOHON) when the inviter or their spouse is Japanese.
e. Guarantee Letter to be completed by guarantor if they are covering the applicant’s travel expenses.
f. Certificate of residence (JUMINHYO) of guarantor (copy accepted)
g. A minimum of two (2) of the following documents concerning the guarantor if the guarantor is covering the applicant’s above-mentioned travel expenses (copies accepted)
(1) A certificate of deposit balance
(2) A certificate of income/taxation issued by the head of administration of the place of residence or a certificate of tax payment issued by the director of the tax office
(3) A copy of the counterfoil of final tax return with the seal of reception of the tax office
(3) Short Term Business Affairs
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
a. A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
b. One passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background. Please paste onto visa application form.
c. A completed and signed visa application form. Blank forms are available on this website, or you may download it here: Visa Application Form
d. A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g. driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
e. Intended flight itinerary/reservation
f. Applicant’s original job letter (stating position, purpose of visit and intended length of stay including arrival and departure dates). If the company is covering the expenses of the trip, the job letter must also state this.
g. Copy of Company Business Registration Certificate/Certificate of Incorporation
Documents to be provided from Japan
a. Invitation letter completed by inviting person/company
b. A completed Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary. This form must be filled out in detail and the dates should match the intended flight itinerary/reservation. (e.g. date of arrival and departure from Japan and a comprehensive list of daily activities for the duration of the applicant's stay in Japan)
c. List of visa applicants if there are multiple applicants invited by the inviting person/company
d. Guarantee Letter completed by guarantor (if the applicant is not covering their travel expenses but the inviting person/company is, the inviting person/company becomes the guarantor)
e. One of the following documents regarding the Inviting Organization (copies accepted):
(1) A certified copy of the incorporation register (HOJIN-TOHKIBO-TOHON) issued within the last three (3) months, or an overview of Company/Organization
(2) A copy of the latest edition of a quarterly corporate report (KAISHA-SHIKIHO) if the company is listed on the stock exchange in Japan
(3) A copy of the Certificate of employment if the inviter is an individual in lieu of (1)
(4) Attending a Conference
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
a. A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
b. One passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background. Please paste onto visa application form.
c. A completed and signed visa application form. Blank forms are available on this website, or you may download it here: Visa Application Form
d. A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g. driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
e. Intended flight itinerary/reservation
f. Applicant’s original job letter (stating position, purpose of visit and intended length of stay including arrival and departure dates). If the company is covering the expenses of the trip, the job letter must also state this. If another entity is covering the expenses of the trip, they must provide a letter stating their intent to do so and the relevant documents listed in g.
g. Copy of Company Business Registration Certificate/Certificate of Incorporation of company (if applicable) or an original letter from an educational institution if applicant is a student.
h. A recent bank statement (within the last three (3) months) showing sufficient funds for expenses in Japan. *Please note that screenshots will not be accepted. The bank statement should include the name of the account holder(s), the current balance, and the bank's stamp.
i. A completed Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary: Schedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary Form
This form must be filled out in detail and the dates should match the intended flight itinerary/reservation. (e.g. date of arrival in Japan, check-in to hotel, change of hotels, airports etc., as well as a comprehensive list of daily activities for the duration of the applicant's stay in Japan. Writing 'sightseeing' alone will not suffice.)
j. A copy of attendance/participation confirmation and a brochure of the conference
k. Hotel confirmation/booking that corresponds to the Schedule of Stay
Documents to be provided from Japan
[if the applicant is invited and/or is staying with a person(s) or organization(s) based in Japan, please submit item l. & m. instead of item j. & k.]
l. Invitation letter to be completed by inviting person(s) or organization(s)
m. Guarantee Letter to be completed by guarantor if they are covering the applicant’s travel expenses (if applicable).
n. One of the following documents regarding the inviting organization:
(1) An original certified copy of the incorporation register (HOJIN-TOHKIBO-TOHON) issued within the last 3 months
(2) A copy of the latest edition of a quarterly corporate report (KAISHA-SHIKIHO) if the company is listed on the stock exchange in Japan
(3) An original Overview of the Company/Organization if an organization has not been registered as yet as an incorporated entity
(4) An original Certificate of Employment if the inviter is a university professor or an individual.
Visa Info | General Info | Criteria for Visa Issuance | Visa Categories | Temporary Visitor’s Visa | Transit Visa | Visa for Work & Long Term Stay | Cruise Travelers | Overseas Applicants | Visa Fees | Visa Application | How to obtain more info | FAQ | Certificate Info