 DO I REQUIRE A VISA TO ENTER JAPAN? |
Depending on nationality, the purpose of visit and the length of intended stay, a foreigner may or may not require a visa to enter Japan. As of April 2006, Japan had made arrangements with 62 countries and regions concerning the waiver of visa requirements, as shown in the accompanying table. Nationals of these countries and regions holding valid passports can apply for landing permission for short-term stays for such purposes as sightseeing and business trips without obtaining a visa. Since Singapore is one of these countries that has such an arrangement with Japan, Singapore citizens (Singapore passport holders) do not require a visa to enter Japan for temporary visits up to 3 months. However, this arrangement neither permits the engagement in paid activities nor staying beyond the period allowed in each arrangement. In such cases, it is necessary for these foreigners and Singaporeans to obtain a visa. Information and guidelines on application for work and long-term visas are available here. Special notes : (1a) Visa Exemption for Residents of Taiwan ( Sep 20, 2005 ) (1b) Visa Exemption for Nationals of the Republic of Korea ( Feb 06, 2006 ) Notes: In the case of the waiver of visa requirements of up to three months or 90 days, foreigners are granted upon landing a temporary visitor status for a period of 90 days (15 days for Brunei). Nationals of countries and regions that have taken measures concerning the waiver of visa requirements with Japan for stays of up to six months in principle are granted permission to stay in Japan for 90 days at the time of landing. Nationals of these countries and regions who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days must apply for an extension of their period of stay at the nearest immigration authority in Japan. Foreigners Having Obtained Re-entry PermissionForeigners who have acquired a status of residence for long-term stay (of more than 3 months) in Japan, such as for work, and wish to leave the country (temporarily) during the period for which they have received permission to stay in Japan, should apply for a re-entry permit before departing Japan. This permit would allow them to re-enter Japan without having to obtain a new visa, as long as their re-entry is within the valid period of the permit. For such foreigners, the procedures for entering Japan are much simpler than the usual landing procedures.Applications for re-entry permits can be made at a under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. When re-entry permission is granted, the permit is stamped on the foreigner's passport. If a foreigner renewed his passport which bears the re-entry permit stamp, he is advised to enter Japan with both his old and new passports and apply for a transfer of the re-entry permit to the new passport at one of the immigration offices in Japan. An overseas Consulate or Embassy of Japan cannot do this transfer. ・Read about Changes to the Basic Resident Registration Law -Foreign residents will be subject to the Basic Resident Registration Law-. In principle, re-entry permission is valid for only one time. However, foreigners who have to leave Japan frequently can apply for multiple re-entry permits. It is not possible to obtain re-entry permission at an embassy or consulate after departure from Japan. However, if a foreigner who has departed Japan after acquiring re-entry permission is unable to return to Japan before expiration of the permit for unavoidable reasons, such as illness, the foreigner can apply at an embassy or consulate for an extension of the re-entry permit's period of validity. |
| COUNTRIES AND REGIONS WITH VISA EXEMPTION ARRANGEMENT WITH JAPAN | ||
| COUNTRIES AND REGIONS | MAX. PERIOD OF STAY WITHOUT A VISA | REMARKS |
| ASIA | ||
| Singapore | 3 months or less | - |
| Brunei | 14 days or less | - |
| Hong Kong (BNO, SAR passport) | 90 days or less | Visa waiver is applicable to residents holding BNO or SAR passports. As for P.R.C. Chinese applicants in Hong Kong and Macau, visas are not required only for school excursions in Japan limiting to stays of less than 30 days. |
| Republic of Korea | 90 days or less | - |
| Taiwan | 90 days or less | - |
| Macau (SAR passport) | 90 days or less | Visa waiver is applicable to residents holding BNO or SAR passports. As for P.R.C. Chinese applicants in Hong Kong and Macau, visas are not required only for school excursions in Japan limiting to stays of less than 30 days. |
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| NORTH AMERICA | ||
| Canada | 3 months or less | - |
| U.S.A | 90 days or less | - |
| LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN | ||
| Argentina | 3 months or less | - |
| Bahamas | 3 months or less | - |
| Chile | 3 months or less | - |
| Costa Rica | 3 months or less | - |
| Dominican Rep. | 3 months or less | - |
| El Salvador | 3 months or less | - |
| Guatemala | 3 months or less | - |
| Honduras | 3 months or less | - |
| Mexico | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle,
will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing.
Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the
nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period
of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with
Japan for up to 6 months. |
| Suriname | 3 months or less | - |
| Uruguay | 3 months or less | - |
| MIDDLE EAST | ||
| Israel | 3 months or less | - |
| Turkey | 3 months or less | - |
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| OCEANIA | ||
| Australia | 90 days or less | Japan adopts a unilateral measure, not a bilateral waiver of visa requirements. |
| New Zealand | 90 days or less | - |
| AFRICA | ||
| Mauritius | 3 months or less | - |
| Tunisia | 3 months or less | - |
| EUROPE | ||
| Andorra | 90 days or less | - |
| Austria | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
| Belgium | 3 months or less | - |
| Bulgaria | 90 days or less | - |
| Croatia | 3 months or less | - |
| Cyprus | 3 months or less | - |
| Czech Republic | 90 days or less | - |
| Denmark | 3 months or less | - |
| Estonia | 90 days or less | - |
| Finland | 3 months or less | - |
| France | 3 months or less | - |
| Germany | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
| Greece | 3 months or less | - |
| Hungary | 90 days or less | - |
| Iceland | 3 months or less | - |
| Ireland | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
| Italy | 3 months or less | - |
| Latvia | 90 days or less | - |
| Liechtenstein | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
| Lithuania | 90 days or less | - |
| Luxemborg | 3 months or less | - |
| Macedonia | 3 months or less | - |
| Malta | 3 months or less | - |
| Monaco | 90 days or less | - |
| Norway | 3 months or less | - |
| Netherlands | 3 months or less | - |
| Poland | 90 days or less | - |
| Portugal | 3 months or less | - |
| Romania | 90 days or less | This is limited Visa exemption arrangement until 31 Dec 2012. |
| San Marino | 3 months or less | - |
| Slovakia | 90 days or less | - |
| Slovenia | 3 months or less | - |
| Spain | 3 months or less | - |
| Sweden | 3 months or less | - |
| Switzerland | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
| United Kingdom | 6 months or less | Nationals who wish to stay up to six months, in principle, will be granted permission to stay for 90 days at the time of landing. Those wishing to stay in Japan beyond 90 days will have to apply at the nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay, even though their countries have visa exemption arrangement with Japan for up to 6 months. |
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