Japan is a country out of time, this is the place where ancient traditions merge with modern life, and on the opposite street from the giant skyscrapers there are ancient temples and monasteries. Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists come here to enjoy the magic dances of geishas, to hear the fascinating sounds of singing monks, to learn how to prepare bitter green tea "match", spend the night in traditional Japanese hotels "ryokan", etc. Before planning the rest, we recommend you to read useful information about obtaining a visa to Japan and the documents required for this.
Do I need a visa to Japan?
All foreign tourists planning to go to the Land of the Rising Sun are required to carry identification documents (for example, a passport whose validity period must not end earlier than a week after returning home). As a rule, visitors must comply with the conditions of their visas and permits of residents of law. Nevertheless, visa exemptions are granted to citizens of 66 different countries, provided that their presence on the territory of the state does not exceed 3 months (90 days), and the purpose of the visit is to get acquainted with local beauties and sights .
Unfortunately, in connection with the current historical events (the dispute over the southern Kuril Islands), residents of the CIS countries can not take advantage of the benefits, and for the trip are required to obtain the necessary permits. Moreover, a visa for Japan, for Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians and citizens of Kazakhstan should not be issued directly through diplomatic representations, but only with the help of a travel agency or with the assistance of a person who has been living in the country for more than a year and has a physical address. Thus, the agency and the resident act as a certain guarantor of the traveler.
It should be noted that at the end of 2016, namely on December 15, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the newly introduced benefits for a visa to Japan for residents of Russia. So, for example, from that moment a number of changes occurred:
- the length of a long-term visa to Japan is increased to 5 years, which can not but please tourists whose close people (relatives, friends, etc.) live permanently in the Land of the Rising Sun;
- a multiple entry visa to Japan (if necessary for regular trips) is issued for a period of 3 years, but the obligatory condition is to be observed: you can stay in the country for no longer than 30 days;
- if the rest is paid for by your account, a letter from the receiving party confirming the letter at the time of submission of documents to the agency is not required.
What documents are needed for a visa to Japan?
Depending on the purpose of the trip and the type of visa, the package of necessary documents may increase. So, in order to get a positive decision regarding the entry into this amazing Asian country and have the opportunity to get to know more closely with its original culture, all foreign citizens need to have:
- The visa application form, which is submitted together with all other documents in 2 copies and with translation into English or Japanese.
- Photo. The requirements for a photo for a visa to Japan are standard: the picture must be bright, not lighted, colored, against a light background. The size of the picture also has limitations: only 4.5х4.5 cm - by the way, incorrect photo parameters can become a sufficient reason for failure, so it's better not to violate this rule.
- International passport.
- A copy of the main pages of the internal passport.
- Confirmation of the availability (or booking) of tickets for the aircraft.
- Proof of the possibility of paying for a trip. This can be a certificate from the place of study (if you receive a scholarship), from work or an extract from the bank indicating income for the last 6 months.
In addition, you may need:
- program of stay (dates of entry and exit from Japan, flight numbers, approximate route for the country are indicated);
- power of attorney without notary certification (if the applicant can not personally be at the meeting);
- certificate of professional compliance "Certificate of Eligibility" or form I-20 (for processing a work or business visa to Japan);
- a letter (only the original is accepted) from a resident of Japan with details of his identity - will be required to obtain a guest visa to Japan;
- A certificate from the university (place of study) or a legally certified copy of the diploma of graduation from the university; not necessarily, but it may also require a certificate proving the knowledge of at least 1 foreign language (English or Japanese) - such documents are required when applying for a student visa to Japan for a period of 3-6 months or more;
- a copy of the visa for entry into a third country and documents that confirm such an opportunity (hotel reservations, copies of tickets, etc.) for obtaining a transit visa to Japan for Russians and residents of the CIS countries, which allows for a transplant within 3 days of the date arrival in the country.
Useful information for tourists
If you are still wondering whether you need a visa for Japan for Ukrainians and residents of the CIS countries, or want more detailed information, contact the appropriate diplomatic office in your home country where authorized persons will help solve your problem:
- Embassy of Japan in Moscow
- Address: Russia, Moscow, 129090, Grokholsky per., 27
- Phone: (+7 495) 229-25-50 / 51
- Fax: (+7 495) 229-25-55)
- Address: 30 Millionnaya St., St. Petersburg, 191186
- Phone: +7 (812) 336-7673
- Fax: +7 (812) 703-5463
- E-mail: ryoji@px.mofa.go.jp
- Reception of documents for the visa: 10: 00-11: 30
- Issuance of visas: 15: 00-16: 30
- Address: 460000, Khabarovsk, Turgeneva str., 46
- Phone: +7 (4212) 41-30-44
- Fax: +7 (4212) 41-30-47
- E-mail: consul@kh.mofa.go.jp
- Visa department:
- +7 (4212) 41-30-48; fax: +7 (4212) 41-30-49
- E-mail: ryojibu@kh.mofa.go.jp
- Reception of documents: from 10:00 to 12:00, issuance of passports: from 15:00 to 17:00
- Address: Vladivostok, Verkhne-Portovaya str., 46
- Phone: +7 (423) 226-74-81
- The visa department: +7 (423) 226-75-58, + 7 (423) 226-75-73
- Fax: +7 (423) 226-75-41
- E-mail: jpconvl@vl.mofa.go.jp
- Address: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693000, ul. Lenina 234, 5th floor
- Phone: +7 (4242) 72-55-30
- Fax: +7 (4242) 72-55-31
- Consular Section: 09:15 - 12:30 / 13:30 - 18:00
- Reception of documents for visas: 10:00 - 11:30
- Issuance of visas: 15:00 - 17:00
- Telephone consultation for a visa: 09:15 - 17:25
- Address: Museum Lane 4, 01901, Kiev, Ukraine
- Phone: + 380-44-490-5500
- Consular Section: + 380-44-490-5501
- Fax: + 380-44-490-5502
- E-mail: toiawase@kv.mofa.go.jp
- Opening hours: 9:00 - 12:30 13:45 - 18:00
- Visa services: Mon-Fri 9: 30-11: 30
- Address: 22/1, Pobediteley ave., Minsk, 220004, 8th floor
- Phones: +375 17 203 6233, 203 6037, +375 17 203 4481
- Consular Section: +375 17 211 2169
- E-mail: nippon-emb@mk.mofa.go.jp, nippon-kultura@mk.mofa.go.jp (department of culture)
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 17:45
- Reception of documents for the visa: 09:00 - 11:30
- Issuance of documents for the visa: 14:00 - 16:00