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Japan visa for citizens of India

Embassy / VFSTemporary Visitor (Tourism) — issued as eVISA via VFS

Citizens of India need a visa for Japan and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre.

Official application site

Verified · Last checked . Policies change. Confirm with the embassy or official visa portal before you travel.

Key facts

Entry routeEmbassy / VFS · Temporary Visitor (Tourism) — issued as eVISA via VFS
How to applyIn-person at an embassy or visa center
Maximum stayUp to 90 days
Visa validity90 days
EntriesSingle entry
Processing time10–14 days
Government fee₹500 + ₹800 service fee
BiometricsNot required
AppointmentNot required
InterviewNot required
Onward or return ticketRequired
Proof of fundsLatest Income Tax Return (ITR); if not available, bank statement of the last 6 months. No official minimum balance is published.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Identify your consular district and VFS centre

    Japan has 5 jurisdictions in India (Embassy New Delhi; Consulates-General Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru). Apply at the VFS Japan Visa Application Centre serving your state of residence.

  2. 2

    Download and fill the visa application form

    Print, complete and sign the MOFA visa application form (PDF on the VFS Japan-India site under Tourism Visa → Download Form).

  3. 3

    Assemble the document set

    Passport (+old passports), A4 photocopies, photo, flight schedule, day-wise Japan itinerary with hotels, latest ITR (or 6-month bank statement). Documents other than the passport are not returned.

  4. 4

    Submit at the VFS centre (walk-in)

    No prior appointment is needed for submission (optional booking available). Apply within 90 days of travel, keeping a minimum 7–10 working-day gap before departure.

  5. 5

    Pay fees at the counter

    Visa fee ₹500 (Indian nationals, effective 1 July 2026) + ₹800 VFS service charge per application; optional courier return ₹550. Payment modes vary by centre.

  6. 6

    Track your application

    Track online with the reference number on your VFS receipt; you are emailed when the decision returns to the centre. The Embassy cannot expedite.

  7. 7

    Collect your passport and receive the eVISA

    Since 1 April 2024 the visa is issued electronically (a "visa issuance notice") instead of a passport sticker. Collect in person (receipt + government ID) or by courier.

  8. 8

    Show the visa issuance notice at the airport

    Display the notice LIVE on a phone with an internet connection at check-in and on arrival — PDFs, photos, screenshots and printouts are NOT accepted.

Documents checklist

Identity

  • Valid passport

    With more than two blank pages; submit old passports too, if any.

  • Photocopy of passport bio-data page

    First and last page; all photocopies must be on A4 size only.

  • Visa application form

    Completely filled and signed — official MOFA form, downloadable from the VFS Japan-India site.

  • One photograph (taken within last 6 months)

    White background, printed on good-quality photo paper. 45×45mm per the MOFA form is the safe spec (VFS India also lists 45×35mm).

  • Birth certificate

    If under 18

    For applicants under 18 travelling with a parent or guardian.

Travel

  • Flight schedule to and from Japan

    Onward/return booking itinerary — a confirmed ticket is not explicitly demanded.

  • Day-wise itinerary in Japan

    Including hotel information and contact information while in Japan.

Financial

  • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)

    If you pay for the trip yourself

    Primary financial proof for self-funded applicants.

  • Bank statement — last 6 months

    OptionalIf you pay for the trip yourself

    Required only if the latest ITR is not available.

  • Parents'/spouse's latest ITR or 6-month bank statement

    OptionalIf someone else sponsors the trip

    Only for students/dependents (sponsor financials).

Supporting

  • Covering letter

    Optional

    Only if any special explanation is needed — Nowah can draft this for you.

  • Consent letter from parents/spouse

    OptionalIf travelling as a dependant

    Only if the applicant is a student or dependent.

  • Proof of relationship

    OptionalIf travelling as a dependant

    Passport copy, marriage or birth certificate — links you to your sponsor / accompanying dependents.

Proof of funds

Minimum balance: No official minimum balance published by the Embassy of Japan or VFS Global

  • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • Bank statement of last 6 months (if ITR unavailable)
  • Parents'/spouse's ITR or bank statement (students/dependents)

Your own ITR is the primary proof on the tourism-without-guarantor route, with a 6-month bank statement as fallback. Students/dependents add a consent letter plus the sponsor's financials. The Embassy may request more documents or an interview.

Where to apply

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — New Delhi (VFS Global)

    Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Concourse Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001

    Submission Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00; collection 10:00–17:00; cash/card.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Mumbai (VFS Global)

    Urmi Axis Building, 3rd Floor, Behind Famous Studio, Opp. E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West), Mumbai 400011

    Submission Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00; collection 15:00–17:00; card/cash/UPI.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Chennai (VFS Global)

    Ramee Mall, 2nd Floor, No. 365, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018

    Submission Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00; collection 09:00–13:00.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Bengaluru (VFS Global)

    Bengaluru

    Appointment required. Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00 — check the VFS page for the current street address.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Kolkata (VFS Global)

    Kolkata

    Appointment required. Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 — check the VFS page for the current street address.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Hyderabad (VFS Global)

    Hyderabad

    Appointment required — check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Cochin (VFS Global)

    Cochin

    Appointment required — check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Puducherry (VFS Global)

    Puducherry

    Appointment required — check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Bhubaneswar (VFS Global)

    Bhubaneswar

    Appointment required — check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Ahmedabad (VFS Global)

    Ahmedabad

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Pune (VFS Global)

    Pune

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Gurugram (VFS Global)

    Gurugram

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Chandigarh (VFS Global)

    Chandigarh

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Goa (VFS Global)

    Goa

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

  • Japan Visa Application Centre — Lucknow (VFS Global)

    Lucknow

    Check the VFS page for the current street address and hours.

    Website Book an appointment

Good to know

  • There is no visa on arrival in Japan for Indian nationals, and direct online application on evisa.mofa.go.jp is NOT available to residents of India — submission is in person at a VFS centre even though the visa is issued electronically.
  • The eVISA "visa issuance notice" must be displayed live on a phone with an internet connection at the airport — PDFs, photos, screenshots and printouts are explicitly not accepted.
  • The stay granted for a Temporary Visitor visa is at the Embassy's discretion (commonly 15, 30 or 90 days) — check the stay period on your issuance notice.
  • Keep a minimum 7–10 working-day gap between submission and travel; processing can stretch with volume and cannot be expedited or prioritized.
  • Documents other than the passport are not returned, and the Embassy may summon you for an interview or request additional documents.
  • Only the visa fee and VFS service charge are payable — the Embassy never demands extra payments by phone/email; beware of look-alike "eVisa" websites.

Common refusal reasons

Incomplete or incorrectly filled application / missing checklist documents

Follow the official VFS "Tourism without guarantor" checklist exactly; all photocopies on A4; sign the form; re-check every field before submission.

Weak financial evidence

Submit your latest ITR; if unavailable, a 6-month bank statement with a consistent balance covering flights, hotels and daily expenses.

Vague or inconsistent travel plan

Provide a day-wise Japan itinerary with hotel bookings and in-Japan contact details that matches your flight schedule.

Discrepancies between the form and supporting documents

Ensure names, dates, employer and travel dates match across the form, passport, ITR and bookings; add a covering letter for anything needing explanation.

Applying too close to departure

Apply up to 90 days before travel and keep at least a 7–10 working-day gap before departure.

Previous overstay or immigration violations in Japan

Declare travel history truthfully; attach an explanatory covering letter for any adverse history rather than concealing it.

FAQ

Do citizens of India need a visa for Japan?

Citizens of India need a visa for Japan and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre. Visa type: Temporary Visitor (Tourism) — issued as eVISA via VFS.

How long can citizens of India stay in Japan?

Up to 90 days.

How much does the Japan visa cost for citizens of India?

Government fee: ₹500 + ₹800 service fee.

How long does Japan visa processing take?

Typically 10–14 days.

What documents do citizens of India need for Japan?

Valid passport; Photocopy of passport bio-data page; Visa application form; One photograph (taken within last 6 months); Flight schedule to and from Japan; Day-wise itinerary in Japan; and 7 more depending on your situation.

Where do I apply?

On the official site: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/jpn/

Sources

Plan your trip to Japan

Nowah is an AI travel agent that books flights, hotels and eSIMs in one conversation and keeps track of your visa paperwork along the way. Need data on arrival? See the Nowah eSIM guide for Japan.

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