Do you need a visa to visit Japan?
Find your nearest Japan Embassy.
Our Japan Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Japan’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to Japan.
Due to coronavirus-related suspensions of visa exemptions, all foreign nationals currently require a visa to enter Japan. Normal conditions allow citizens of certain countries to enter the United States with Temporary Visitor status for 15 to 90 consecutive days for tourism or business purposes.
In response to COVID-19, Japan has implemented certain entry requirements. Please check below for additional information on entry requirements and restrictions.
COVID-19 requirements:
All passengers entering Japan are required to present either proof of COVID-19 immunisation or a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure. In general, three vaccinations (or two if at least one was JCOVDEN/Janssen) are necessary for entry (or two if at least one was JCOVDEN/Janssen). Those who cannot present immunisation documentation or a negative PCR test will be denied entry into the country. Please check the Embassy of Japan in Dublin’s website for additional information on vaccination and/or PCR test requirements. Additionally, additional information is available on the website of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
Regarding COVID-19 entrance requirements, countries/regions are categorised as red, blue, or yellow based on the travel history and vaccination status of the individual, with testing and quarantine procedures varying accordingly. Ireland has been designated as a country in the “blue” category. This implies that Irish visitors and returnees to Japan are not required to undergo on-arrival testing or home quarantine.
Passengers from countries other than Ireland, or those who have visited other countries within 14 days prior to departure (other than transiting through an airport on route to Japan), may be subject to COVID-19 testing and quarantine upon arrival. The current classification of countries and regions can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
At the port of entry, visitors to Japan will be required to sign a written pledge committing them to abide by all applicable quarantine and self-isolation rules, complete an online health questionnaire, and obtain a QR code. This MHLW website provides more information on the MySOS “quick track” system for completing admission requirements.
Please refer to the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare for additional information on current quarantine processes. The current entry restrictions do not apply to passengers who are only transiting through a Japanese airport and do not pass through immigration. You must adhere to any additional screening measures implemented by the authorities and review the most recent entry requirements for your final destination. Please contact your airline if you are uncertain whether your transit is affected.
Visitors to Japan should familiarise themselves with the country’s mask-wearing regulations. The website of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare contains additional information.
Visa requirements:
A visa exemption agreement exists between Ireland and Japan, allowing Irish citizens travelling to Japan for a brief stay to enter the country without first obtaining a visa. A short-term stay permits Irish citizens to initially remain in the United States for up to 90 days. Before the initial 90-day period expires, Irish nationals wishing to stay for a total of up to 6 months may apply to the Ministry of Justice (Regional Immigration Bureau) for an extension of their stay.
Citizens of Ireland who wish to stay in Japan for more than six months, or who are travelling to Japan to take up employment, exercise a profession or other occupation, or engage in public entertainment (including sport) for remuneration, or who are unsure of their eligibility for a visa waiver, should consult the Embassy of Japan in Dublin’s website (and contact the embassy if necessary) for information on visa requirements.
To successfully apply for a Japan tourist visa, applicants must meet the requirements outlined below.
The processing period from visa application to visa issuance is 5 business days from the day after the application is received, assuming there are no issues with the application’s content. It could take less time depending on the Embassy/General Consulate and the reason for the visit.
If the visa is approved at the time of the visa interview, the majority of applicants receive their visas within 10 days. However, we cannot guarantee that each case will be processed within 10 days. In the following instances, additional processing time may be required: (1) when the applicant fails to submit all of the required application materials; (2) when the Consular Officer requests additional information from the applicant; and (3) when the case requires additional administrative processing.
There are several types of visas you can apply for in Japan. Each visa type is for a different reason of visit, so it is important to ensure you have applied for the correct visa, should you require one. The visas available in Japan are:
The reapplication may be submitted at any time after rejection, and there is no limit on the number of times; however, it is strongly advised to be congruent with the type and content of the documents submitted. You may be able to contest this decision.
A visa is merely one of the entry requirements for Japan, and it does not guarantee that you will be permitted to enter the country. (A warning appears on the visa application form, and your signature on the form indicates that you accept this fact.) Even if you have a valid visa, you may not be granted permission to enter Japan, for example, if the person making the landing application is different from the person whose name appears on the visa, or if you cannot adequately describe to the immigration officer the activities you intend to engage in after entering Japan.
Consult the consular section of the Japanese Embassy/ Consulate-General/ Consular Office if you find yourself in a very urgent situation for humanitarian reasons. In the meanwhile, you must present the original COE to the Immigration officer upon arriving in Japan.
Certain nations (or regions) do not require a visa if their stay in Japan is less than 90 days and they do not intend to engage in income-generating activities.
