Visa

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.