Japan Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens need a visa before travelling to Japan. Japan does not issue visas on arrival to Indian passport holders. Most tourists apply for a short-term stay visa through VFS Global. Single-entry tourist visas are issued electronically as a JAPAN eVISA, and multiple-entry visas are still issued as a sticker. This guide covers the two routes, fees, documents, timing and the mistakes that lead to refusals.

eVISA or sticker?

• Single-entry tourist visa (eVISA): The Embassy of Japan in India says single-entry tourist visas have been issued electronically as a JAPAN eVISA since 1 April 2024. You still submit your application through VFS Global, and the embassy describes eligibility as Indian and foreign nationals who live in India. You receive an electronic visa issuance notice to show at check-in and at immigration.
• Multiple-entry visa (sticker): Multiple-entry visas are still issued as a sticker in your passport. VFS Japan Visa Application Centres serve the Embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

Stay and validity

A tourist visa generally allows a stay of up to 90 days. Business Today reports that a tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issue and cannot be extended, so apply close enough to your travel date that you can use it. Your visa issuance notice or sticker, not the application receipt, is what you show at check-in and at immigration.

Fees

Japan raised its standard visa fees worldwide from 1 July 2026, but the Embassy of Japan in India lists ₹500 for either a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa for Indian nationals, and says the transit visa has been abolished. VFS Global charges a separate service fee, reported by Business Today (24 October 2026) as about ₹800, which makes roughly ₹1,300 per applicant before optional extras such as courier return of your passport. Confirm the VFS amount when you apply, because it can change.

Documents you will usually need

• A passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel, with at least two blank pages.
• The signed application form, with any non-applicable fields marked N/A.
• One recent photograph, 45 mm by 45 mm, on a plain white background.
• Financial proof: recent bank statements stamped by the bank and income tax returns or salary slips.
• Proof of employment or business, such as an employer letter or GST certificate.
• A day-by-day itinerary with hotel names and addresses, confirmed flight bookings and a signed cover letter stating the purpose and dates of your trip.

How to apply

• Decide whether you need a single-entry visa (issued as an eVISA) or a multiple-entry visa (sticker).
• Prepare the documents from the latest checklist on the VFS Japan site for your city.
• Submit at your VFS Global centre and pay the fees. The embassy says no prior appointment is needed for VFS submission, and applications are accepted from three months before the travel date.
• Track the application with your reference number and collect the passport or arrange courier return.

How long it takes

The embassy gives no fixed timeframe and warns that processing times vary and cannot be expedited. Business Today reports a minimum of five to seven working days for a sticker visa once the file reaches the embassy, and four to seven business days for an eVISA. In peak seasons such as cherry-blossom time (March to May) and autumn foliage (October to November), it can take 10 to 15 working days. Apply four to six weeks before you fly.

Common reasons for refusal

• An itinerary that does not match your hotel and flight bookings.
• Bank statements that do not show enough funds for the stay, or that have unexplained deposits.
• Missing signatures, stamps or an old version of the form.
• Weak evidence of employment or other ties to India.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa for Japan?

Yes. Japan does not issue visas on arrival to Indian passport holders. Most tourists apply for a short-term stay visa through VFS Global.

What is the Japan eVISA?

Single-entry tourist visas have been issued electronically as a JAPAN eVISA since 1 April 2024, according to the Embassy of Japan in India. You still submit the application through VFS Global.

How much is a Japan tourist visa from India?

The Embassy of Japan in India lists ₹500 for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. VFS Global charges a separate service fee, reported by Business Today as about ₹800, so roughly ₹1,300 in total.

How long should I allow for a Japan visa?

The embassy gives no fixed timeframe and says processing cannot be expedited. Reports say 4 to 7 business days for an eVISA and 10 to 15 working days in peak seasons, so apply four to six weeks before you fly.

Last verified: 5 November 2026 against the sources linked below. Visa rules change often, so confirm the details on the official link before you book or apply.

Official sources

• Embassy of Japan in India: Visa information
• Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visas
• VFS Global: Japan visa in India

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