Japan Short-Term Stay Visa Guide

短期滞在ビザガイド

A Short-Term Stay visa (短期滞在ビザ) allows you to visit Japan for up to 90 days (or 15/30 days depending on nationality) for tourism, business meetings, visiting relatives, or attending events. This guide covers who needs a visa and how to apply.

Visa-Exempt Countries

Citizens of many countries can enter Japan without a visa for short stays. As of 2025, visa-exempt arrangements exist with 70+ countries including:

90-Day Visa-Free Stay

• United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand
• EU countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, etc.)
• South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
• Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil (limited)
• And many more

15-Day Visa-Free Stay

• Brunei, Indonesia (under certain conditions)
• Thailand, Malaysia (under certain conditions)

Countries Requiring a Visa

• China, India, Philippines, Vietnam
• Most African countries
• Most Middle Eastern countries
• Russia, Ukraine, and many CIS countries

Check the latest list at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, as exemptions change.

Purpose of Short-Term Stay

Tourism (観光)

• Sightseeing, visiting friends, cultural experiences
• Maximum 90 days (or 15/30 depending on nationality)

Business (商用)

• Meetings, conferences, trade fairs
• Market research, contract signing
• Cannot work or receive payment from a Japanese entity

Visiting Relatives (親族訪問)

• Visiting family members living in Japan
• Attending weddings, funerals, other family events

Other Activities

• Attending sports events, competitions
• Short-term study programs or workshops (non-credit)
• Medical checkups (not treatment — that requires Medical Stay visa)

Required Documents (for countries requiring a visa)

From the Applicant

1. Visa application form — Available from Japanese embassy/consulate
2. Valid passport — With at least 2 blank pages
3. Photo (4.5cm x 3.5cm) — White background, taken within 6 months
4. Round-trip flight itinerary — Or confirmed reservation
5. Hotel reservations — Or accommodation arrangement
6. Bank statements — Past 3-6 months showing sufficient funds
7. Employment certificate — Or student enrollment proof
8. Travel itinerary — Day-by-day plan of activities in Japan

If Invited by Someone in Japan (Guarantor/Inviter)

9. Invitation letter (招へい理由書) — From the person in Japan
10. Guarantee letter (身元保証書) — Financial guarantee
11. Inviter's tax certificate — Proving income
12. Inviter's residence certificate (住民票)
13. Inviter's residence card copy (if foreign national)

For Business Visits

14. Business invitation letter — From the Japanese company
15. Company registration of the inviting company
16. Your company's registration and business license
17. Schedule of business activities

Application Process

Step 1: Determine If You Need a Visa

Check if your country has a visa-exemption arrangement with Japan.

Step 2: Gather Documents

Prepare all required documents. Translations into Japanese or English may be required.

Step 3: Apply at Embassy/Consulate

Submit your application at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. Some countries require applications through designated travel agencies.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

• Standard: 5-10 business days
• Peak season: Up to 2-3 weeks
• Expedited: Available in some countries for additional fee

Step 5: Receive Decision

• Single-entry visa (most common for first-time applicants)
• Multiple-entry visa (for frequent business travelers with history)
• Valid for 3 months from issue date

Fees

Fees are collected in local currency and vary by country.

Duration and Extension

• Maximum stay: 90 days per entry (or 15/30 days for some nationalities)
• Extension: Possible in exceptional circumstances (illness, natural disaster) — apply at Immigration Bureau before expiry
• Cannot change status: Short-term stay visa generally cannot be changed to work/student visa from within Japan

Important Rules

1. No work allowed — Even if unpaid, working violates your visa terms
2. No enrollment in school — Short-term stay doesn't permit formal study
3. Must leave before expiry — Overstaying has serious consequences including entry bans
4. Health insurance — Japan has no visitor health insurance requirement, but travel insurance is strongly recommended
5. 90-day rule — You cannot "reset" by leaving and immediately re-entering

Tips for Successful Application

1. Be specific about your itinerary — Vague plans raise suspicion
2. Show strong ties to home country — Job, property, family reasons to return
3. Sufficient funds — Show enough money for your entire trip
4. Consistent information — All documents should tell the same story
5. Apply early — At least 3-4 weeks before travel date

Plan Your Japan Visit with NipponVisa

While short-term stay doesn't require complex immigration forms, NipponVisa can help you understand what documents you need based on your nationality and generate checklists for your visit preparation.