VISA INFORMATION
- Do I need a visa?
- Where to lodge your application
- Who may apply?
- How to obtain more information
- Obtain / download forms
- Processing times + visa fees
Whether you need to obtain a visa in order to enter Japan differs according to the purpose of your visit, length of stay and your nationality. In principle, foreigners wishing to enter Japan are required to have a visa. A visa can not be acquired after arriving in Japan.
Check here for a list of countries whose nationals are not required to have a visa to enter Japan for a short stay and the period of stay allowed for each country:
What kinds of activities are permitted as a temporary visitor?
A person who has entered Japan as a temporary visitor is not permitted to receive remuneration within Japan. You must have your return/ongoing flights booked and sufficient funds to support your trip.
2. Where to lodge your visa application
Applicants should contact their regional consular office directly for visa information and make their application. Visa applications on your behalf by travel agents are not recommended.
There are three offices in New Zealand. Please contact the office whose jurisdiction covers the area where you usually reside.
Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
Deals with visa applications from the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions
Embassy of Japan in Wellington
Deals with applications from the lower half of the North Island (Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Wellington and all regions of the South Island except Canterbury)
The Embassy also handles visa applications from residents of Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands.
How to lodge an application from Samoa:
Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch
Deals with visa applications from Canterbury regions
Consulate-General of Japan Visa Application Hours: Telephone Hours: |
Embassy of Japan Visa Application Hours: Telephone Hours: |
Consular Office of Japan Visa Application Hours: Telephone Hours: |
Applicants residing out of the metropolitan Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch areas may apply by post.
If postal applicants wish to have their passport returned to them by mail, they must provide a self-addressed, pre-paid return courier/registered envelope with a tracking number. All postal applications must be accompanied by a Release of Liability form.
3. Who may apply for visas in New Zealand?
You may apply for a visa in New Zealand if you are:
- a New Zealand citizen residing in New Zealand
- a non-New Zealand citizen residing in New Zealand with a valid permit
(excluding those who are staying in New Zealand on a visitor permit).
4. How to obtain more information
If you have any enquiries, please feel free to call or email the Visa Office whose jurisdiction covers the area where you usually reside (as listed above).
If you are already in Japan and your enquiry is regarding your immigration status, please contact your local Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice.
If you are a New Zealander living overseas, please contact the Embassy of Japan in your country of residence.
IMPORTANT: If you wish to make a visa enquiry, we will need the following information:
1. Your full name
2. Your nationality
3. Your visa status and occupation in NZ (if you are not a NZ passport holder)
4. Your NZ visa's expiry date (if you are not a NZ passport holder)
5. Detailed purpose of your trip to Japan
6. Your intended length of stay in Japan
7. Your probable date of entry
8. Your current residential address in NZ and your telephone number
Any information provided is strictly for the purpose of assessing requirements for visa applications. Individual cases can only be determined after you have submitted your application.
5. Online forms / further information
Note: You may download forms here but you must contact your nearest consular office to receive information about what supporting documents will be required.
All visa applicants must complete a Visa Application Form
Please add your email address at the bottom of the second page.
[Download in PDF Format] [Sample]
If you hold a Certificate of Eligibility, please click here.
For general information on visas for Japan including Work Visas and Study Visas, please click here .Useful tips regarding living in Japan can be found on the same site under Guide to Living in Japan - Booklet or leaflet version.
If you are a New Zealand passport holder applying for a Working Holiday Visa, please click here.
In principle, visa applications will be processed within three to five working days of acceptance if all the documentation is in order. Note that for some visa categories, or in cases where additional information is required, processing time will be longer. Working Holiday visas take approximately three weeks.
Please ensure that you allow ample time for your visa application to be processed.
7. Visa Fees
Visa fees are determined according to reciprocal arrangements between Japan
and the country of the applicant's nationality. There is no fee for New Zealand passport holders. For further information regarding visa fees, please contact your regional office.