Temporary Visitor's Visa

November/27/2023

A Temporary Visitor's Visa is for a stay of up to 90 days in Japan for the purposes of tourism, visiting friends/relatives, business, attending a conference and/or other unpaid activities. Paid or profit-making activities are prohibited on this visa.

Some passport nationalities do not require a visa to enter Japan for up to 90 days for any of the purposes listed above. For more information about which other countries have visa exemption arrangements with Japan, please see here.

Applicants must hold a valid long-term New Zealand visa (e.g. resident, work, student etc.)
 

Which Consular Office to make enquiries to and apply for a visa

To apply at the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand, Wellington, you should reside in the following regions:
Wellington, Taranaki, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui (excluding Ruapehu District) or the South Island (excluding Canterbury).

Residents of other regions should apply at the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland or the Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch.
 

Frequently Asked Questions and additional information

  • Please refer to our FAQ page before preparing your application or making an enquiry.
  • Additional documentation may be requested to complete your application.
  • No documents other than your passport will be returned and must be collected in person. Passports will not be returned by post.
  • Temporary visitor visas will take a minimum of five working days to be processed. There is no urgent visa service.
  • Even in possession of a visa, final permission to enter Japan remains at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
  • Visas are only valid for three months from the date of issue, so applications open from three months before your intended date of arrival.
  • For further information not covered on this page, please contact us after you have viewed the FAQ page.

Nationals of the Pacific Islands, IndiaIndonesia, Philippines, Viet Nam and China may be able to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Click on your country for further information.

For regular, single entry visas, please find below lists of the documentation required to support your visa application. 
 

Please select the type visa based on your purpose of travel:


 

Required Documentation

1. TOURISM/SIGHTSEEING

1 Passport
Passport
 
  • Must be valid (until you leave Japan)
  • Signed by the bearer (NZ passport and applicable countries)
  • Have suffcient space for a visa label (ideally two page spread)
2 Application form
 
  • Download the visa application form
  • Fill out all relevant sections (Write N/A on sections that are not applicable)
  • Date and sign the second page (same as the signature on your passport
3 Photo
 
  • Passport sized photo (45x35mm) printed on photo-quality paper
  • Taken within the last 6 months
  • Must not be the same as your passport or previously issued visa (unless within 6 months)
4 NZ visa
 
  • Required if you are not a NZ passport holder
  • Visitor Visa holders are not eligible to apply
5 Itinerary
 
  • Daily tinerary to show all flights including in and out of NZ
  • Include your planned activities and all accommodation
6 Flight details
 
  • Copy of your e-ticket or booking by travel agent/airline
  • We do not require proof of purchase of tickets but we do require a confirmed reservation
  • We are not responsible for non-refundable tickets which may be unusable due to delay or denial of a visa
7 Accommodation
 
  • Booking confirmation of all accommodations
  • If someone else has made the booking, proof of relationship will be required. 
8 Bank statement
 
  • Must be recently issued
  • Shows at least 3 months transaction
9 Proof of relationship
 
  • If dependents are travelling with legal spouse/parent, please provide proof of relationship
    (e.g. copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate)
 
  • DO NOT STAPLE DOCUMENTS.
  • Visa fee (if applicable) payable when visa is issued. Payment must be by cash when passport is collected.
  • If you wish to nominate another person to collect your passport on your behalf, please complete the official authorisation form with your handwritten signature. Your nominated person must provide this authorisation form, his/her official ID, and pay the visa fee (if applicable) in cash at the time of collection.
  • Please use the checklist below to ensure that your visa application can be submitted without any missing documents and to avoid unnecessary delays. Incomplete applications significantly increases processing time.

    Application Checklist
     

2. VISITING FRIENDS /RELATIVES

  1. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa
  2. Completed visa application form 
  3. One passport sized photo (45x35mm) taken within the last 6 months and printed on a photo-quality paper
  4. Valid New Zealand visa (A third country passport holder only)   ※Visitor Visa holders are not eligible to apply
  5. Daily schedule itinerary to show your flights into and out of Japan and your planned activities and accommodation
  6. Flight details issued by travel agent/airline or copy of e-tickets with your passport name on it  ※ We do not require proof of purchase of tickets but we do require a confirmed reservation. We are not responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to delay or denial of a visa.
  7. Accommodation booking confirmation (if you will not stay at your freiends/relatives' place)
  8. Bank statement (recent 3 months statement or transaction record)
  9. In the case of dependents travelling with legal spouse/parent, please provide proof of relationship eg. copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate
  10. Letter from your employer/school showing evidence of your current employment/enrolment
  11. Letter of invitation (English/Japanese) from friends/relatives stating length of stay and addresses of friends/relatives
  12. Proof of relationship of visa applicant and invitor: Kosekitohon, Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, etc. *Scanned copy is acceptable
  13. Proof of residence in Japan:
    1. If the inviter is a Japanese national:
      - Residential certificate or driver’s licence - copy
    2. If the inviter is a non-Japanese national:
      - Passport - copy
      - Residential certificate - copy
      - Residence card - both side copy
  14. If your friend/relative will financially support your trip to Japan, he/she must also provide a letter of guarantee (English/Japanese) AND one of the following:
    - Certificate of tax payment - copy
    - Tax return - copy
    - Bank statement - copy
    - Certificate of income - copy
  • DO NOT STAPLE DOCUMENTS.
  • Visa fee (if applicable) payable when visa is issued. Payment must be by cash when passport is collected.
  • If you wish to nominate another person to collect your passport on your behalf, please complete the official authorisation form with your handwritten signature. Your nominated person must provide this authorisation form, his/her official ID, and pay the visa fee (if applicable) in cash at the time of collection.
  • Please use the checklist below to ensure that your visa application can be submitted without any missing documents and to avoid unnecessary delays. Incomplete applications significantly increases processing time.

    Application Checklist
 

3. BUSINESS

  1. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa
  2. Completed visa application form 
  3. One passport sized photo (45x35mm) taken within the last 6 months and printed on a photo-quality paper
  4. Valid New Zealand visa (A third country passport holder only)   ※Visitor Visa holders are not eligible to apply
  5. Daily schedule itinerary to show your flights into and out of Japan and your planned activities and accommodation
  6. Flight details issued by travel agent/airline or copy of e-tickets with your passport name on it  ※ We do not require proof of purchase of tickets but we do require a confirmed reservation. We are not responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to delay or denial of a visa.
  7. Accommodation booking confirmation
  8. Bank statement (recent 3 months statement or transaction record)
  9. In the case of dependents travelling with legal spouse/parent, please provide proof of relationship eg. copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate
  10. Letter on company letterhead which must include the applicant’s position, nature of the business trip, length of stay and the company’s financial responsibility for expenses incurred on the trip.
  11. Letter of invitation from the company in Japan, which can be scanned (PDF copy of scan with company letterhead and signature).
  12. If your business contacts in Japan will bear the cost of your travel and stay in Japan, please provide the following:
    - Letter of guarantee - copy
    - Company register - copy
    - Certificates of employment - copy
  • DO NOT STAPLE DOCUMENTS.
  • Visa fee (if applicable) payable when visa is issued. Payment must be by cash when passport is collected.
  • If you wish to nominate another person to collect your passport on your behalf, please complete the official authorisation form with your handwritten signature. Your nominated person must provide this authorisation form, his/her official ID, and pay the visa fee (if applicable) in cash at the time of collection.
  • Please use the checklist below to ensure that your visa application can be submitted without any missing documents and to avoid unnecessary delays. Incomplete applications significantly increases processing time.

    Application Checklist
 

4. ACADEMIC CONFERENCE

  1. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa
  2. Completed visa application form
  3. One passport sized photo (45x35mm) taken within the last 6 months and printed on a photo-quality paper
  4. Valid New Zealand visa (A third country passport holder only)   ※Visitor Visa holders are not eligible to apply
  5. Daily schedule itinerary to show your flights into and out of Japan and your planned activities and accommodation
  6. Flight details issued by travel agent/airline or copy of e-tickets with your passport name on it  ※We do not require proof of purchase of tickets but we do require a confirmed reservation. We are not responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to delay or denial of a visa.
  7. Bank statement (recent 3 months statement or transaction record)
  8. In the case of dependents travelling with legal spouse/parent, please provide proof of relationship eg. copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate
  9. Letter from your home institution stating your current position/enrolment, and outline of the conference.
  10. A letter of Invitation from Japan or a paid registration form, which can be scanned (PDF copy of scan with letterhead and signature may also be accepted)
    One of the above letters must also mention whether travel costs will be covered by the sending/receiving institution.
  • DO NOT STAPLE DOCUMENTS.
  • Visa fee (if applicable) payable when visa is issued. Payment must be by cash when passport is collected.
  • If you wish to nominate another person to collect your passport on your behalf, please complete the official authorisation form with your handwritten signature. Your nominated person must provide this authorisation form, his/her official ID, and pay the visa fee (if applicable) in cash at the time of collection.
  • Please use the checklist below to ensure that your visa application can be submitted without any missing documents and to avoid unnecessary delays. Incomplete applications significantly increases processing time.

    Application Checklist
 

5. SCHOOL VISIT

  1. Valid passport with sufficient space for the visa
  2. Completed visa application form 
  3. One passport sized photo (45x35mm) taken within the last 6 months and printed on a photo-quality paper
  4. Valid New Zealand visa (A third country passport holder only)   ※Visitor Visa holders are not eligible to apply
  5. Flight details issued by travel agent/airline or copy of e-tickets with your passport name on it  ※We do not require proof of purchase of tickets but we do require a confirmed reservation. We are not responsible for tickets which may be unusable due to delay or denial of a visa.
  6. Proposed itinerary (activity schedule) in Japan, including accommodation
  7. Receipt from your school showing that you have paid for the full cost of the trip OR your family’s bank statement (recent 3 months statement or transaction record) original/certified.
  8. Letter from your school stating the reason for visit to Japan, relevant dates and itinerary in Japan (Itinerary may be prepared by your sister school in Japan)
  9. If the visit is part of a school exchange, please attach a copy of the school agreement and invitation letter from Japan.
  • DO NOT STAPLE DOCUMENTS.
  • Visa fee (if applicable) payable when visa is issued. Payment must be by cash when passport is collected.
  • If you wish to nominate another person to collect your passport on your behalf, please complete the official authorisation form with your handwritten signature. Your nominated person must provide this authorisation form, his/her official ID, and pay the visa fee (if applicable) in cash at the time of collection.
  • Please use the checklist below to ensure that your visa application can be submitted without any missing documents and to avoid unnecessary delays. Incomplete applications significantly increases processing time.

    Application Checklist