Transit Visa

2026/3/12
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Who should apply for a Transit Visa?

A Transit Visa is issued to persons who stop over in Japan en-route to another destination, with a period of stay not exceeding fifteen (15) days.
 
If you need to enter Japan to catch a connecting flight at an airport in Japan, you will need a Transit Visa.
You must show a valid visa/travel document for your final destination if you are transiting through Japan on your way to that country.
If you are not sure whether you need to leave the transit area of the airport and/or pass through immigration after landing in Japan, please contact the airline you will be flying with.
If you must switch airlines and do a luggage transfer yourself, a Transit Visa is required to do so.
 
Individuals wishing to leave the airport during their transit period for tourism/ sightseeing purposes ONLY, must apply for a Transit Visa.
No business activity is allowed. Neither a change of visa status nor extension of stay is permitted.

You MUST apply for a Short-Term Stay Visa if you will visit your family or friends in Japan even if your stay is less than 24 hours.

Transit Visa

Documents to be submitted by the applicant:
  1. A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
  2. One passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background.
  3. A completed and signed visa application formVisa Application Form
  4. A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g., driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
  5. Intended flight itinerary (from country of residence to Japan and back) Flights do not need to be booked/purchased in advance. Itinerary must show dates and ports of departure and arrival, and flight numbers.
  6. A valid visa to the country of final destination (if you are transiting through Japan on the way to your final destination)
  7. A completed Schedule of Stay/Travel ItinerarySchedule of Stay/Travel Itinerary Form if staying more than one (1) day in Japan for sightseeing/tourism purposes. 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, names, telephone numbers and addresses 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.) Please write each scheduled day of stay in Japan and the relevant activity individually in the form.