Japan visa
Tourist, student and specified skilled worker routes
Japan visa: quick answers
Do Indians need a visa for Japan? Yes. Indian nationals need a sticker visa for Japan, lodged at a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre. The visa fee for Indian nationals is a flat INR 500 whether the Embassy grants single or multiple entry, plus the VFS service charge of INR 800 per application. No biometrics are taken; the Embassy decides entries and validity and normally takes about 5 working days after the file reaches it. Study, work and family routes need a sticker visa.
How much does a Japan visa cost? Government fee by entry type: single entry ₹500, multiple entry requested ₹500 per traveller, plus ₹1,145 Vistolane filing fee and ₹800 in mandatory charges (Visa application centre fee). From ₹2,445 all-in for the default option.
How long does a Japan visa take? 5–12 working days (about 12 days); in.emb-japan.go.jp publishes 5–10 working days. Vistolane shows the document deadline and filing date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.
Japan Japan short-term stay visa (tourism) via VFS Global for Indians: quick summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Japan short-term stay visa (tourism) via VFS Global |
| Format | Sticker visa |
| Government fee | ₹500 |
| Visa application centre fee | ₹800 |
| Vistolane fee | ₹1,145 |
| All-in per traveller | ₹2,445 |
| Processing time | 5–10 working days |
| Validity | Decided by the Embassy (single entry 3 months; multiple up to 5 years) |
| Stay | Up to 90 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple (decided by the Embassy) |
| Biometrics | Not required |
| Source | in.emb-japan.go.jp |
| Last verified | 2026-11-04 |
About the Japan Japan short-term stay visa (tourism) via VFS Global
Japan's eVisa makes short tourism simple, alongside student visas and the Specified Skilled Worker programme for in-demand sectors.
Indian nationals need a sticker visa for Japan, lodged at a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre. The visa fee for Indian nationals is a flat INR 500 whether the Embassy grants single or multiple entry, plus the VFS service charge of INR 800 per application. No biometrics are taken; the Embassy decides entries and validity and normally takes about 5 working days after the file reaches it.
Government fee ₹500, visa application centre fee ₹800, Vistolane filing fee ₹1,145: ₹2,445 per traveller all-in. Premium and Business service levels add ₹575 and ₹1,150. Validity decided by the Embassy (single entry 3 months; multiple up to 5 years), stay up to 90 days, single or multiple (decided by the embassy) entry. in.emb-japan.go.jp publishes a processing time of 5–10 working days (verified 2026-11-04).
Proof of funds for Japan, by category
Indicative minimums. Officers read three to six months of statements and compare the closing balance with your itinerary, tuition or salary; the number matters less than the story the statements tell.
| Category | Indicative funds |
|---|---|
| Tourist / visitor | ₹1.42 lakh |
| Student | ₹18.92 lakh |
| Work / sponsored | ₹75,696 |
| Family / partner | ₹94,620 |
| Business / investor | ₹31.22 lakh |
| Permanent residence | ₹47,310 |
Japan visa document checklist
- Passport valid at least six months beyond the return date, with two blank pages
- Recent passport photo on a plain background (35×45 mm or the digital spec)
- Bank statements for the last three to six months, stamped or downloaded with the bank's name visible
- Proof of employment, self-employment or study (letter, payslips, NOC, enrolment)
- Return or onward booking and a day-by-day itinerary that matches the dates on the form
- Accommodation confirmation or a host's invitation with their ID and address proof
- Travel insurance where the destination requires it
- Completed online form printed and signed
- Biometrics appointment confirmation
- Previous visas and entry stamps, especially refusals
Student applicants add the offer letter, tuition receipt and, where required, an English test; sponsored workers add the employer's certificate or contract. Every upload is checked by vistolane against the Japan checklist before filing.
Official sources
Fees and windows are re-checked when the authority publishes changes; the date of the last check appears on the destination page.
Applying from India?
Japan visa routes, one page each
- Japan Temporary visitor visa: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- Japan Student visa (Certificate of Eligibility): eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- Japan Work visa (Engineer/Humanities and Highly Skilled Professional): eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- Japan Dependent and spouse visas: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
- Japan Permanent residence: eligibility, fees, documents, refusals
Compare Japan with
Check your passport for Japan
- Japan visa for Bangladesh passport holders: verified answer
- Japan visa for Egypt passport holders: verified answer
- Japan visa for India passport holders: verified answer
- Japan visa for Nepal passport holders: verified answer
- Japan visa for Pakistan passport holders: verified answer
- Japan visa for United Arab Emirates passport holders: verified answer
Questions, answered
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Indian nationals need a sticker visa for Japan, lodged at a VFS Global Japan Visa Application Centre. The visa fee for Indian nationals is a flat INR 500 whether the Embassy grants single or multiple entry, plus the VFS service charge of INR 800 per application. No biometrics are taken; the Embassy decides entries and validity and normally takes about 5 working days after the file reaches it. Study, work and family routes need a sticker visa.
How much does a Japan visa cost?
Government fee by entry type: single entry ₹500, multiple entry requested ₹500 per traveller, plus ₹1,145 Vistolane filing fee and ₹800 in mandatory charges (Visa application centre fee). From ₹2,445 all-in for the default option.
How long does a Japan visa take?
5–12 working days (about 12 days); in.emb-japan.go.jp publishes 5–10 working days. Vistolane shows the document deadline and filing date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.
What documents do I need for a Japan visa?
A passport valid for the full stay, a recent photo, the completed form, flight and accommodation bookings, three to six months of bank statements and proof of ties such as an employment letter. Students add the admission letter and tuition evidence; workers add the sponsor's offer. The Japan checklist on this page is the one Vistolane files with.
How much bank balance do I need for a Japan visa?
About ₹1.42 lakh for a tourist visit, rising to ₹31.22 lakh for the most demanding route, held steadily over three to six months rather than deposited last week. This is Vistolane's planning guideline, not an official minimum: Japan publishes no fixed figure unless its checklist states one.
Can I apply for the Japan visa online, or is it visa on arrival?
Online. Japan issues the Japan short-term stay visa (tourism) via VFS Global before you fly; it is not a visa on arrival.
How long can I stay in Japan on this visa?
Up to 90 days; entry: single or multiple (decided by the embassy); validity decided by the embassy (single entry 3 months; multiple up to 5 years). Overstaying affects every future application, so count days from the entry stamp.
Is an interview or biometrics required for Japan?
No. Japan decides on the documents; there is no interview and no biometrics appointment for this route.