Visa & Entry Requirements by Country in Tokyo, Japan

1. Tourist Visa

This visa is for those who want to visit Tokyo for leisure or sightseeing. It's generally valid for up to 90 days.

Duration of Stay: Check how long your visa allows you to stay in Japan.
Allowed Activities: Ensure the activities you plan are allowed under a tourist visa.
Visa Application Process: Understand the steps involved in obtaining a tourist visa.
Required Documents: Gather all documents needed for the visa application, like bank statements or itineraries.
Visa Fees: Be aware of the cost associated with applying for the visa.

2. Business Visa

This is for those traveling to Tokyo for meetings, conferences, or business discussions. It usually allows stays of 90 days or less.

Type of Business: Verify if your business activities are permitted under this visa.
Invitation Letter: Ensure you have an invitation from a Japanese company if required.
Duration: Understand how long you can stay in Tokyo with this visa type.
Multiple Entry Option: Consider if you need to enter Japan multiple times for your business activities.
Sponsorship: Check if you need a Japanese sponsor or company for the application.

3. Work Visa

Required for those who have a job offer in Tokyo. This is needed before starting employment.

Job Offer: Obtain an official job offer from a company in Japan.
Certificate of Eligibility: This document is crucial for the application and must be arranged by the employer.
Visa Validity: Determine how long the work visa will be valid before renewal.
Employment Category: Confirm your employment category, as it affects the type of work you can do.
Family Inclusion: Consider if your family members can join you and their visa requirements.

4. Student Visa

Essential for international students enrolled in educational programs in Tokyo.

School Acceptance: Secure confirmation of acceptance from a recognized educational institution.
Course Duration: Check how long the student visa covers and aligns it with your study period.
Financial Proof: Demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover tuition and living expenses.
Part-Time Work: Understand the conditions under which you can work part-time as a student.
Renewal Requirements: Know the process for renewing the student visa if the course extends.

5. Working Holiday Visa

Available for young citizens from certain countries, allowing them to work and holiday in Tokyo.

Age Limit: Be sure you fall within the specified age range for eligibility.
Employment Restrictions: Know what types of jobs are permitted under this visa.
Quota System: Understand if there's a limit on the number of visas issued annually.
Cultural Exchange Purpose: Remember the visa primarily aims at cultural exchange rather than employment.
Length of Stay: Check how long you can stay in Japan with this visa.

6. Transit Visa

For travelers passing through Tokyo on their way to another destination.

Transit Duration: Ensure you meet the transit time requirements to qualify for this visa.
Layover Activities: Know what you can do while waiting for your connecting flight.
Documentation: Provide proof of your onward journey and layover details.
Terminal Transfer: Understand if terminal changes at the airport require additional documents.
Visa Exemptions: Verify if you are from a country that doesn’t require a transit visa.

7. Visa Exemptions

Some nationalities don't need a visa for short stays in Tokyo for tourism or business.

Exemption List: Check if your country is on the visa-exempt list for Japan.
Stay Limit: Know how long you can stay in Tokyo without a visa.
Entry Conditions: Be aware of any entry conditions despite the exemption.
Purpose of Visit: Ensure that your trip's purpose aligns with exemption conditions.
Additional Documentation: Ensure you have documents like return tickets or hotel bookings even if exempt.

8. Temporary Visitor Visa

For various short-term purposes, including visiting friends or attending conferences.

Visit Purpose: Clearly define your reason for visiting Tokyo to apply for this visa.
Required Documents: Prepare documents such as hotel reservations or conference invitations.
Duration Limit: Confirm how long you’re permitted to stay with this visa.
Allowed Activities: Understand what you can and cannot do during your stay.
Applying Process: Be familiar with the process timelines and where to apply.

9. Spouse Visa

For spouses of Japanese nationals who want to live and sometimes work in Tokyo.

Marriage Certificate: Have a valid marriage certificate for the application.
Residency Proof: Prepare to show your spouse's residence status in Japan.
Visa Duration: Know the validity period and renewal process of the spouse visa.
Employment Opportunities: Understand if and how you can work while holding a spouse visa.
Cultural Adjustment: Be prepared for cultural differences and adaptation during your stay.

10. Permanent Resident Visa

For those who plan to live indefinitely in Tokyo.

Residency Requirement: Typically requires a certain number of years living in Japan.
Financial Stability: Show evidence of financial stability to support living in Japan.
Legal Compliance: Ensure you have abided by all laws during your previous stays.
Application Processing Time: Anticipate a lengthy application process and prepare accordingly.
Rights and Privileges: Know the benefits of permanent residency, like no renewal needs.

11. Cultural Activities Visa

For people engaging in specific cultural or artistic activities.

Type of Activity: Be clear on the specific cultural or artistic activity you'll pursue.
Invitation or Sponsorship: Often requires an invitation or sponsorship from a cultural institution.
Visa Validity: Check how long this visa is valid and conditions for extension.
Income Source: Know how your activity should generate income, if at all, to meet visa conditions.
Work Restrictions: Be aware of limitations on work outside the cultural sphere.

12. Family Visa

For family members of residents living in Tokyo.

Relationship Proof: Provide evidence of your relationship to the resident in Japan.
Financial Support: Show the resident's ability to financially support you.
Visa Duration: Be aware of the initial visa period and renewal process.
Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the criteria to be considered family for visa purposes.
Integration Support: Consider what support systems are available to help integrate into life in Tokyo.

13. Highly Skilled Professional Visa

For people with high-level skills in their field.

Skill Recognition: Verify the required skills are recognized under Japan's point-based system.
Application Points System: Understand the scoring system that determines eligibility.
Visa Benefits: Know the benefits, like longer stays and access to priority services.
Renewal Process: Be aware of how to renew and maintain your qualified status.
Employment Opportunities: Explore the job market relevant to your skills.

14. Short-term Visa Waiver

Temporary waiver for those participating in special events or conferences.

Event Participation: Ensure the event is recognized for visa waiver eligibility.
Short Stay Limit: Understand the maximum length of stay allowed under the waiver.
Documentation: Provide event participation proof and travel itinerary.
Visa Waiver Conditions: Be aware of specific conditions tied to the waiver.
Nationality Restrictions: Check if your nationality impacts waiver eligibility.

15. Military Personnel Visa

For active duty military visiting bases or engaging in official duties.

Military Orders: Have official orders detailing your visit to Japan.
Visit Duration: Confirm how long you can stay based on military directives.
Base Access: Understand access permissions to specific military basings.
Family Accompaniment: Check if your family can accompany you and their visa needs.
Joint Exercises: Be informed about participation in joint exercises during your stay.

16. Journalist Visa

For foreign journalists reporting from Tokyo.

Press Credentials: Ensure you have recognized press credentials.
Japanese Sponsorship: You might need a Japanese media organization to sponsor your visa.
Work Scope: Clarify the journalistic activities legally allowed during your stay.
Visa Time Limit: Check how long the visa allows you to report from Japan.
Equipment Documentation: Prepare any necessary documentation for your reporting equipment.

17. Long-Term Resident Visa

For those who have special permission to live in Tokyo for extended periods.

Special Permit Requirement: Verify if specific criteria or historical ties justify the visa.
Residence Stability: Demonstrate long-term stay capability in terms of financial and accommodation stability.
Application Documentation: Compile the necessary paperwork to show eligibility.
Renewal Necessities: Plan for the visa renewal process well in advance of expiry.
Community Engagement: Consider involvement in local communities to aid integration.

18. Medical Stay Visa

For individuals seeking medical treatment in Tokyo.

Treatment Confirmation: Get a medical institution's written confirmation of the treatment plan.
Duration of Stay: Coordinate the visa's length with the medical treatment period.
Accompaniment Conditions: Learn if accompanying family or caregivers need separate visas.
Financial Liability: Demonstrate financial arrangements to cover medical and living costs.
Insurance Requirements: Ensure you meet any health insurance demands for treatment.

19. Exchange Program Visa

For participants in official exchange programs in Tokyo.

Program Validation: Confirm your program is officially recognized for visa issuance.
Duration of Exchange: Check if the visa covers your entire program length.
Program Documentation: Prepare to submit official exchange program documents.
Activity Permissions: Understand what activities are permitted under the exchange visa.
Program Sponsor: Coordinate with your home institution and Japanese host organization.

20. Research Visa

For researchers conducting studies or collaborations in Tokyo.

Research Institution Affiliation: Secure an affiliation with a Japanese research institution.
Project Timeline: Align your research project's timeline with the visa's allowable stay.
Document Preparation: Gather comprehensive research outlines and supporting papers.
Funding Evidence: Provide proof of funding for your research activities.
Collaboration Scope: Clarify the limits and partnerships allowed under the research visa.