Frequently Asked Questions
Australian Citizens
Q: As an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, do I need a tourist visa to enter Japan?
A: No. Australians who enter Japan as tourists may stay for up to 90 says as long as they hold a valid Australian passport. The passport needs to remain valid during the duration of their stay.
Indonesia Citizens
Q: As an Indonesian citizen with an Indonesian e-passport, do I need a tourist visa to enter Japan?
A: Holding an e-passport does not necessarily exempt you from needing a visa (even if your stay is less than 15 days).
• A visa waiver may be obtained by registering your passport in advance. For e-passport holders, this can only be done at Japanese diplomatic missions in Indonesia.
• If you are not able to obtain a visa waiver, you must obtain a visa to enter Japan.
See more information: MOFA website
Q: The online appointment booking site is not showing any available dates or times. Is this a system issue?
A: If you cannot see any dates or times listed, this means appointments are fully booked. Please consider applying for a visa via:
• eVisa (for single-entry tourist visas only)
• an agent (for all visa types)
Q: We are a family of four. Do we need to book a time slot for each family member?
A: No. Family members or partners can attend under one booking.
Q: I am going to be late for my appointment. What should I do?
A: If you are more than 30 minutes late, the booking will be automatically cancelled. Please contact us to explain the reason for the delay.
Q: When can I apply for a visa?
A: The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your planned travel date. Please ensure you have enough time to apply as there is no priority or urgent processing service.
Q: How many days does it to take to receive a visa?
A: The standard processing time for an eVisa is approximately 5-10 business days .
The standard processing time for an in-person application is 5 business days (excludes Designated Activities visas, J-Find and J-Skip visas).
There is NO priority or urgent processing service.
Q: Is there urgent or priority processing?
A: No. There is NO priority or urgent processing service.
Q: If I cannot lodge my visa application in person, can I ask a family member or colleague to apply on my behalf?
A: Yes. A proxy representative may lodge an application or collect your passport on your behalf, as long as you provide us with an authorisation letter.
Your representative must show a valid photo ID when lodging your application or picking up your passport.
Q: Does my child need to come in person to apply for a visa?
A: Children are not required to attend appointments and also do not need a proxy authorisation letter, as long as a parent/guardian has lodged all family member visa applications together.
Parents/guardians may also collect all passports without their children being present.
Q: I have obtained a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Do I still need to apply for a visa?
A: Yes, after receiving a Certificate of Eligibility, you will need to apply for a visa. You will require both a Certificate of Eligibility and the appropriate visa to enter Japan.
Q: How can I get a visa to work in Japan?
A: To get a work visa, you must first find a potential employer who is willing to sponsor you and arrange for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The sponsor must apply for a COE through the Japanese Immigration Service Agency. Once you receive your COE , you may apply for a work visa at our office.
Q: I have obtained a 15-day visa for Japan. If I arrive on 1 March, when should I depart Japan?
A: The 15-day count starts from the day after you arrive in Japan.
For example, if you arrive in Japan on 1 March , you begin counting 15 days from 2 March, so your departure date should be no later than 16 March.
Q: I have obtained a 30-day visa for Japan. The expiry date on the sticker is 3 March. Does that mean I need to leave Japan by that date?
A: The expiry date on your visa is the last day that you can enter Japan.
For example, if the expiry date is 3 March, you may use that visa to enter Japan no later than 3 March. Since you have a 30-day visa, you are allowed to stay for up to 30 days, starting from the day after your arrival.
Q: My passport expires in less than 6 months. Can I still enter Japan?
A: As long as your passport is valid for the duration of your stay in Japan, you may use it to enter Japan. We recommend that you check the regulations of your airline before traveling with a passport that has less than six months validity.
Q: Am I allowed to switch visa types after entering Japan (e.g. from a tourist visa to a work visa)?
A: No.
If you would like to work in Japan, you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from a sponsor and subsequently obtain a work visa from a Japanese diplomatic mission in your country of residence.
If you are currently in Japan and have questions about visas, please contact the Japanese Immigration Service Agency.