Overview
Japan's eVISA is unusual: whether you can apply directly yourself depends on your country of residence, not just your nationality. As of 2026, residents of a specific list of countries — Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the USA — can log into the official evisa.mofa.go.jp portal and complete the entire single-entry tourist e-visa application themselves. Residents of several other eligible countries or regions, including China and the Philippines, must submit their application through a travel agency accredited by the local Japanese embassy — direct self-application isn't offered to them, and an in-person interview at the embassy may also be required.
Visa categories
| eVISA — tourism (single entry) | Up to 90 days (15 or 30 days for a small number of nationalities), tourism purposes only. |
|---|---|
| Traditional visa | Required for business, conferences, study, work, transit or family visits — applied for at a Japanese embassy/consulate. |
Documents checklist
- Valid ordinary passport (diplomatic and official passports are not eligible for the eVISA)
- Passport bio-data page scan
- A recent digital photo
- Round-trip (in-and-out) flight itinerary
- Hotel/accommodation booking details
- Bank statements from the last 3 months, in some cases
- Residence permit or existing visa, if applying based on residence in a third country
- Valid email address, and a credit card for online payment
Step-by-step application process
1. Check your country of residence, not just nationality
On the eVISA homepage, enter your nationality and country of residence to see whether you can apply directly or must use an accredited agency.
2. Direct route: register on evisa.mofa.go.jp
Create an account with an email and password, then log in to start your application.
3. Enter your details and upload documents
Complete personal, passport and travel information, and upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Pay online
The eVISA system accepts online credit card payment only — cash isn't accepted.
5. Receive your Visa Issuance Notice
Once approved, you must be able to log in and display this notice on your phone at the departure airport — a printed copy, PDF or screenshot alone is not accepted.
6. Agency route (if applicable to you)
If you're not eligible for direct application, contact a travel agency accredited by the Japanese embassy with jurisdiction over your place of residence — they submit the application on your behalf, and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Fees & processing time
| Processing | Apply with enough lead time — the government advises against last-minute applications; incomplete forms are cancelled outright, requiring a fresh start |
|---|---|
| Payment | Online consular fee payment, credit card only |
| Validity | 3 months from date of issuance, single entry only |
Frequently asked questions
What if my application has an error?
MOFA is explicit: an incomplete or inaccurate application is cancelled without processing, and you must start a brand-new application — there's no in-system correction for a cancelled one.
Can I enter Japan by ferry with an eVISA?
Only via air travel, or designated international passenger ferries between Japan and Busan or Shanghai — no other sea entry is accepted with an eVISA.
Is there a fee for using an accredited agency?
Yes — because the agency is handling the submission (and sometimes arranging your embassy interview) on your behalf, expect a service fee on top of the standard visa fee. Compare accredited agencies rather than assuming the first one you find is cheapest.
Sources reviewed: mofa.go.jp and evisa.mofa.go.jp (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan), Japanese embassy consular notices (Saudi Arabia, UAE). Eligible-country and eligible-residence lists are updated periodically — always check the current list on the official portal.