Visa

2021/9/17

Notice of temporary change in the Consular service hours (as a measure for prevention of Novel Coronavirus infection)


Current visa application procedure

  • Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel ( For entry of foreign nationals with other special exceptional circumstances and so on)
  • Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel

    • Procedure of entry into Japan (Entry Cut-off, PCR Test Certificate, and Visa Application)

  • Amended procedure of entry into Japan (Entry Cut-off, PCR Test Certificate, Visa Application)
  • List of private medical institutions which can conduct PCR tests and issue test result certificates for COVID-19 before travel to Japan
  • For permanent residents who have difficulty re-entering Japan within the valid period of their re-entry permission due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Re-entry of foreign nationals from Australia who possess the status of residence in Japan

    • Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

  • Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)


    •   Coronavirus (COVID-19) related Notice  

    2021/9/17
    New measures for border enforcement (17) (Designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures and others) NEW!
    2021/9/3
    List of private medical institutions which can conduct PCR tests and issue test result certificates for COVID-19 before travel to Japan (As of 3rd September 2021) NEW!
    2021/5/19
    Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) NEW!
    2021/5/19
    Regarding denial of landing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) NEW!
    2021/5/18
    New measures for border enforcement (13) NEW!
    2021/4/16
    For permanent residents who have difficulty re-entering Japan within the valid period of their re-entry permission due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) NEW!
    2021/4/14
    Requirements for Certificate of Testing for Entering Japan
    2021/4/2
    To Everyone Entering Japan (Installing apps required for preventing the spread of COVID-19)
    2021/3/19
    Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
    2021/3/18
    New measures for border enforcement (10)
    2021/3/05
    New measures for border enforcement (9)
    2021/1/29
    Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel ( For entry of foreign nationals with other special exceptional circumstances and so on)
    2021/1/19
    Medical Institutions in Japan issuing COVID-19 Testing Certificates in English ("TeCOT")
    → List of Medical Institutions
    2021/1/14
    Amended procedure of entry into Japan (Entry Cut-off, PCR Test Certificate, Visa Application)
    2021/1/4
    Regarding the Web-Quarantine Questionnaire when entering Japan
    2020/11/2
    Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
    2020/11/2
    Re-entry of foreign nationals who possess the status of residence


    ※Currently all foreigners who enter Japan are required visas. The following information is for the ordinaty situation and different from the current circumstances.
    Please check "Current visa application procedure", "Procedure of entry into Japan (Entry Cut-off, PCR Test Certificate, and Visa Application)", "Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19", and "Coronavirus (COVID-19) related Notice " above for more current information.


     

     

    Consular COUNTER SERVICE hours - 9:30 -12:00 (morning ONLY)
    TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE hours - 9:30-12:30, 13:30-17:30 (02-9250-1000 press 2)
    "Japan Visa Information Hotline" (Visa telephone assistance 24/7)
    02-7908-6813 (English only)

     
    Jurisdiction areas

    Visa applications ONLY from the residents in NSW, NT and New Caledonia can be accepted.

    Our jurisdiction areas: New South Wales, Northern Territory
    We also provide the consular service to the residents in New Caledonia.

    Seules les demandes de visa des résidents de NSW, NT et Nouvelle-Calédonie peuvent être acceptées.

    Nos zones de juridiction: Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, Territoire du Nord.
    Nous fournissons également le service consulaire aux résidents de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
    Pour toute demande de visa japonais, vous pouvez contacter le Consulat Honoraire du Japon à Nouméa, Nouvelle-Calédonie (+687-27-83-03) ou le
    Consulat général du Japon à Sydney, Australie (+61-9250-1000 appuyez sur 2).

     


    IMPORTANT NOTICE

    Due to the recent increase in the number of visa applications and the Consular affair procedures, our waiting room is crowded and the waiting time could be longer.
    We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
    Furthermore, it might be difficult to make an appointment to schedule a visit to apply for a visa at the moment.
    If it is urgent or your departure day from Sydney is coming up soon but you cannot make an appointment, please call us for further assistance.


    1. Check if you need a visa

    Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) Nationals of some countries and regions are not required to obtain visas to enter Japan for short term stay for tourism, commerce, conferences, visiting relatives/ acquaintances, etc up to 90 days. The list below is just some examples of visa exempted countries/regions (as of December 2019, 68 countries and regions in total).

    Table - Some examples of visa exempted countriers & regions

    Please ensure to check the details of the visa exemptions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website below.



    2. Check if you can apply in Sydney

    Only Applications from the residents in NSW, NT and New Caledonia are accepted.

    Who Can Apply?     Who CANNOT?

    CAN - Acceptable

    Long Term Residents in NSW, NT, and New Caledonia

    * Permanent resident visa holders

    * Student visa holders

    * Business visa holders

    * Graduate visa holders

    CANNOT - UNacceptable

    Visitors and Residents in other states (QLD, VIC, TAS, SA & WA) in Australia

    * Australian temporary visitor visa holders

    * Holders of an Australian visitor visa who changed their visa from a student Visa

    * Residents in the other states in Australia except Northern Territory



     

    3. Visa application period

    You may apply for a visa 3months prior to entering Japan.
    Depending on your travel plan, please apply for a visa accordingly.



    4. Visa processing time

    Visa Processing Time:
    The minimum assessment time is 5 working days for all visas.
    It generally takes longer if additional documents are required for further assessment.
    In some cases, applications need to be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and it can take between 2 weeks and 2 months or more to complete the process.

    There is NO priority processing service.




    5. Opening hours

    Visa application hours 9:30 - 12:00, 14:00 - 14:30 (Online booking required)
    Visa collection hours 14:00 - 16:00 (Booking NOT required) *Afternoon ONLY
    Phone inquiry hours 10:00 - 12:00, 15:00 - 17:00 Phone : 02-9250-1000 (press 2)





    6. Visa fee

    visa fees

    * Visa fee exemption (no charge) : Australian, New Zealander, Korean, Malaysian, Bangladeshi, Colombian and Pakistani passport holders.




    7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    * Please click the questions and you will get the answers.

    1. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?

    Some nationals are not required to obtain visas to enter Japan depending on the purposes. Please visit Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) for more information.


    2. How long does it take to process a visa?

    It takes at least 5 working days. When the assessment of your application has been completed, we will upload your visa application number on our website. You can check if your passport is ready for collection by checking our website.
           There is NO priority processing service.


    3. Do I need 3 or 6 month validity left of my passport to enter Japan?

    It is NOT required to have 3 months or 6 months passport validity in order to enter Japan, as long as your passport is valid until the end of your trip to Japan and return to Australia.


    4. Can I apply for a visa online or by post?

    If you live in a distant location from Sydney (Newcastle and northward in NSW, Lithgow and westward in NSW, Nowra and southward in NSW, and anywhere in NT), you may apply for a visa by post. We do not accept online applications.
           But when the assessment is completed, either the applicant or his/her representative with the power of attorney/authorisation letter must come in person to collect his/her passport at our Consulate office in Sydney.


    5. Do all my family members have to come in person to apply for visas?

    No. The personal representative like a family member may apply for a visa on behalf with the original power of attorney/authorisation letter from the applicant. As long as the letter clearly mentions that the representative applies for him/her and collects his/her passport when the assessment is completed, the applicant does not have to come to our office in person.
    But the original letter must be submitted with the visa required documents together when applying and the personal representative must bring the own valid photo ID.

    Example:
    The husband comes to our office in person to apply for his and his wife’s visas, and he brings the power of attorney from his wife. When the assessment is done, he may collect his and her passports together. *For the child’s visa application, the power of attorney is not required if the parent applies for him/her.


    6. My husband is too busy to apply for a visa in person. Can I submit all the documents for him?

    Yes.The personal representative like a family member may apply for a visa on behalf with the original power of attorney/authorisation letter from the applicant. As long as the letter clearly mentions that the representative applies for him/her and collects his/her passport when the assessment is completed, the applicant does not have to come to our office in person.
    But the original letter must be submitted with the visa required documents together when applying and the personal representative must bring the own valid photo ID.

    *For the child’s visa application, the power of attorney is not required if the parent applies for him/her.


    7. My mother will temporarily stay in Sydney for 3 months on a visitor visa. Can she apply for a visa?

    We do NOT take applications from applicants holding an Australian visitor visa. They must apply for the visa in their home countries.


    8. I live on the Central Coast NSW, and I am too busy to visit and apply for a visa. Can I send all the documents by post?

    No, you must come in person. Only those who reside in distant locations may apply for visas by post - Newcastle and northward in NSW, Lithgow and westward in NSW, Nowra and southward in NSW, and anywhere in NT.
           But when the assessment is completed, either the applicant or his/her representative with the power of attorney/authorisation letter must come in person to collect his/her passport at our Consulate office in Sydney.


    9. I am going back to my home country first and then I will depart for Japan from there. Can I apply for a visa in Sydney or should I do it in my home country?

    You may apply for a visa in Sydney, however, please show us your booking confirmations for all of your flights. Please note, if you will stay in your home country for a long enough period to apply for a visa to Japan (longer than 1 month), please apply for the visa in your country.


    10. My friend who lives in Adelaide SA is coming to visit me in Sydney and will stay for 3 weeks. Can he apply for a visa in Sydney?

    No, he must apply for a visa at the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne. We can only accept visa applications from the residents of NSW, NT and New Caledonia.




    8. Cancellation / Withdrawing your application

    To cancel/withdraw the visa application, the applicant must come in person and submit a letter of the reason and the green receipt which is given when you lodge the application.

    * All the submitted documents will NOT be returned except the passport.




    Contact

    Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney - Visa Section (Phone Inquiry Hours 10:00-12:00, 15:00-17:00)

    Phone: 02-9250-1000 (press 2) (Phone only - NO inquiries can be made by email.)

    Postal address: G.P.O Box 4125, Sydney NSW 2001 Australia

    Location address: Level 12, 1 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia


    "Japan Visa Information Hotline" (Visa telephone assistance 24/7) 02-7908-6813 (English only)





    Please click the icon below for further information about
    Visa Application (in person or by post) or Visa Collection (after assessment).

    apply in person

      All the visa applicants must come in person to lodge the application
    except those who live in the distant locations from Sydney.

    apply by post

        Applicants who live in the distant locations may apply by post.

    visa collection

     Please click the icon above to find out the procedure after you lodge
    your application.

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