Introduction
The Visa Section of the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago processes and issues the requisite
visas to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, Suriname,
St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines residing in and outside of Trinidad and
Tobago, as well as for foreign nationals residing in Trinidad and Tobago with valid permission for long
term stay.
The requirements for visa application will differ depending on the purpose of visit, length of stay, nationality
of applicant, as well as other factors.
It is recommended therefore that the following instructions be read carefully in order to determine the type
of visa to be applied for or whether a visa would be required.
General Information
Jurisdiction
Visa applications should be made at the Japanese Embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s
place of permanent residence. You may apply at this Embassy if you live, work and are currently residing
within the area accredited to this Embassy. The Visa Section of the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad is
accredited to serve applicants from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname,
and Guyana.
In the case of Barbados and Suriname applicants a Japanese visa is not required if the purpose of visit
is tourism, commerce, a conference, visit to relatives/acquaintances etc, with the length of stay not
exceeding 90 days for Barbados and 3 months for Suriname.
In the case of Barbados Nationals holding Non-Machine Readable Passports (Hand Written Passports) it is recommended that a Machine Readable Entry Visa is acquired prior to travelling to Japan.
For Chinese and Russian nationals seeking to apply at this Embassy, it is important to take note of the
specific visa requirements for their country category.
China: Click Here
Russia: Click Here
If you are not located within the area covered by this Embassy, please contact the Japanese Consulate
or Embassy that processes visas for your area. We may decline visa applications from areas outside our jurisdiction.
Criteria for Visa Issuance
In principle, a Japanese visa will be issued to an applicant when he or she meets all of the following requirements and the issuance is regarded as reasonable:
If all requirements are met, most visas will normally be processed within 5 business days. However, for some visa categories, or in certain cases where additional information is required, the processing time will be longer.
Please Note that visa applications sent by mail will not be accepted. All visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by use of a proxy with written authorization.
Visa Applicants Notice
Persons travelling to Japan may require permission to enter the country in the form of a visa.
Visa Applicants Notice:
Temporary Visitor’s Visa
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:
Sightseeing; sports; visiting relatives, friends, or acquaintances; visiting a sick person; attending a wedding or funeral ceremony; participating in athletic tournaments; contests etc. as an amateur; 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.; attending lectures, explanatory meetings etc.; academic surveys or research presentations; religious pilgrimages or visits; friendship visits to sister cities, sister schools etc.; or 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.
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.
Visa Exemption
Barbados, 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 click here.
Documentation
Please be aware that we will decline applications that have incomplete documents.
The following documents must be submitted when applying for a Temporary Visa:
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
Documents to be provided from Japan
11. An original invitation letter or “letter of reason for invitation” completed by guarantor
12. An original letter of guarantee completed by guarantor
13.An original schedule of stay form completed by guarantor
14.One of the following documents concerning the guarantor if the guarantor is bearing applicants expenses.
- An original recent bank statement
- An original copy of the certificate of income
- An original copy of the certificate of tax payment
- A copy of the counterfoil of final tax return
- An original certificate of tax payment
15. An original certificate of residence (JUMINHYO) of guarantor
[If the guarantor is a non-Japanese national, please submit item 16 & 17]
16. A copy of both sides of the valid Residence Card (the Alien Registration Card)
17. A copy of the guarantor’s passport (including the page of status items, the record of entry/departure, and mission of residence)
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
Documents to be provided from Japan
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
[if the applicant is traveling of their own, please submit item 9 & 10]
9. A copy of attendance / participation confirmation
10. Hotel confirmation
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 11 & 12 instead of item 9 & 10.]
11. An original invitation letter or “letter of reason for invitation” completed by guarantor
12. An original letter of guarantee completed by guarantor
Transit Visa
Requirements for Transit Visa
When in transit for 72 hours or less through Japan no visa is necessary but individuals will be confined to the transit area within the airport.
Individuals wishing to leave the airport during their transit period for sightseeing/relaxation purposes only must apply for a transit visa.
A Transit Visa is issued for persons who stop over in Japan en-route to another destination, with the period of stay not exceeding 15 days.
No business activity is allowed. Neither a change of visa status nor extension of stay is permitted.
The following documents must be submitted when applying for a Transit Visa:
Visa for Work & Long Term Stay
Visa for Work & Long Term Stay (Applications with a Certificate of Eligibility)
Documentation
Please be aware that we will decline applications that have incomplete documentation.
Each applicant must submit the following documents:
Certificate of Eligibility
For information about the Certificate of Eligibility, please see the Immigration Procedures Guidebook. Questions about how to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility can be submitted through the local Immigration office.
Processing Time
Normal processing times of 5 working days applies to applicants with COEs.
Visa for Long-term stay (Spouse and Child of Japanese Nationals)
Documentation
Please be aware that we will decline applications that have incomplete documentation.
Each applicant must submit the following documents:
[Applications WITH a Certificate of Eligibility]
[What is a Certificate of Eligibility?]
A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan, including the requirements that the activity in which the foreign national wishes to engage in Japan at the time of the landing examination is not fraudulent and is an activity that comes under a status of residence (excluding Temporary Visitor Status) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act. (Application by a proxy in Japan is allowed. For details go to the Ministry of Justice, Immigration Bureau. ) A foreign national in possession of a Certificate of Eligibility can get a visa issued more easily at an embassy or consulate within the standard processing period (five working days). (However, issuance of the visa is not guaranteed.) Furthermore, there is the advantage that if the certificate is shown to the immigration officer at the time of the landing application the foreign national can more easily demonstrate that their status of residence conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan such as control, etc.
Overseas Applicants (Including individuals who reside in Tobago)
To facilitate efficient and smooth interviews overseas applicants must forward copies of all required documents including their passport’s bio-data page for pre-evaluation at least 5 working days before their appointment date to the embassy.
After forwarding documents on the following business day contact the Embassy to confirm its receipt of the documents.
Visa fees will be required at pick up times only, except for special cases and for citizens or nationals of countries that are exempt from visa fees. Visa fees are revised on April 1st each year and waived for certain nationalities. Visa fees must be paid in exact (TT) cash amount. If a visa is not issued then no fees are required. The Visa Fees for the period April 1, 2015-March 31st, 2016 is:
Single Entry Visa - TT$165
Citizens of the countries listed below are exempt from visa fees.
Click To See Exempt Countries
Forms
Application Form:
Sample Forms:
Letter of Invitation (English)
Letter of Invitation (Japanese)
Letter of Guarantee (Japanese)
Obtain More Information
There are two methods for obtaining visa information:
1. Your Nationality / citizenship
2. Your visa status in Trinidad and Tobago
3. Detailed purpose of your trip to Japan
4. Your intended length of stay in Japan
5. Your occupation
6. Your current place of residence
7. Your contact information
E-mail:consular@po.mofa.go.jp
Fax: 1-868-628-6515
ATTENTION: Due to the volume of inquiries by email, we may not be able to respond within 24 hours. If you do not hear from us, please call to obtain information. Thank You.
Please note that any visa information given is for information purposes only. Specific visa requirements can only be determined after we see your documents.
Visa application forms may be obtained from our website ONLY.
2. Do I still need to produce all of the documents listed above even though I have applied for a Japanese visa before?
Yes, even though you may have made an application for a Japanese visa in the past, you would still need to produce the documents that are outlined above at the time of your new application.
3. (a) What is the processing time? How long does it take to obtain a Japanese visa?
The normal processing time is approximately 5 to 6 working days, but it might be longer up to 21 working days or more depending on the case. Full documentation must be submitted in order to be granted a visa within this time frame.
(b) How far in advance can I apply for the visa?
Japanese visas are only valid for a period of three months from the date of issue. Therefore, ideally a visa application should be lodged at least two weeks before the intended travel date. For example; if the intended travel date to Japan is in January, the visa application should be lodged in December. If the visa application is lodged before November and a visa is issued at that time for a travel date in January, the visa would expire before departure to Japan.
4. How much is the visa fee?
Single Entry Visa - TT $165 Cash Only
Double Entry Visa – TT$335
Transit Visa – TT$40
5. For what period is a visa issued?
Single entry visas are normally issued for 15, 30 or 90 days, and issuance is based on your travel dates
6. What size photographs are acceptable for the visa application form?
Original and passport photos sized 2in x 2in are acceptable. Applicants should not wear any glasses or hats; ears must be visible in the photo. Photos must NOT be taken at an angle or in profile; the applicant must face forward. Photos should ideally be taken on the day of the application or taken at least within the last 6 months.
7. Can I be issued a visa on spot or within a day?
Emergency situations do occur and the Embassy of Japan attempts to make every effort to respond to these emergencies. It is advised however, to call and enquire beforehand whether your visa application may be lodged under your extenuating circumstance
8. Are appointments necessary for visa applications?
Yes, Visa appointments are necessary, applications will not be accepted without an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy at 628-5991, ext. 214
9. Can a Japanese visa be issued at the airport on arrival?
Japanese visas are not issued at the airport. Therefore, a visa must be obtained before arrival in Japan
10. Can a courier service or third party be used to lodge an application for a visa?
We don't accept visa application by courier. But we accept third party proxies with a letter of authorization. Please write clearly in the authorization letter the reason, the relationship and the signature of applicant(s).
11. I’m living outside of Trinidad. Can I apply at Embassy of Japan in Trinidad?
Where an applicant is normally resident outside of Trinidad in a territory accredited to the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad, the applicant may they may fax or e-mail their completed application form and supporting documents for pre- approval after which they must present the original documentation in person or via a proxy at the Embassy for the processing of their visa at the scheduled date and time given by the Consular Officer.
12. Is a Japanese visa required if I will be visiting Japan by cruise ship?
Yes.
13. Are Transit visas required even if the national does not leave the airport?
If you don’t leave the airport, a transit visa is not required. It is recommended however, that for applicants who will transit to their destination as well as on their return trip to apply for a transit visa due to the possibility of missing connection flights or flight cancellations which could leave no other option than to seek accommodation in Japan.
14. If I am a permanent resident of the US or Canada, what documents do I need to apply for a visa?
Visas are issued based on nationality (i.e. the passport that you hold will be used for entry to Japan); therefore, a Japanese visa is required to enter Japan, even if the applicant has a green card or PR card from the US or Canada. If your nationality is not listed below, as requiring a visa, you would need to make a visa application to the Embassy of Japan
15. Which nationals do not require visas to visit Japan?
The List of Countries and Regions That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan.
Certificate Information
The Embassy of Japan issues some types of certificates. If you need to apply for a certificate please contact the Consular Section for information before making an application.
Police certificate is certified by Japanese National Police Agency as to whether the applicant has a criminal record in Japan or not.
Fee: Free of cost
Processing Time: approximately 2-3 months
The Certificate of translation certifies that the translated document submitted by the applicant is correct and corresponds with the original document in Japanese. The Embassy of Japan does NOT translate documents.
Fee: TT $245
Processing Time: 1-2 days
We have other types of certificates. If you need more information, please contact the consular section.
Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago 